- Backstitch
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The running back stitch is a basic stitch often used to add beads to fabric. Both easy and durable, it can be used for a small embellishment or to cover an entire area with an elaborate design.
Backstitch reinforces every bead, every other, or every third bead (etc) in a line of beads.
How it’s done – reinforcing every third bead:
- Come up through the fabric from the wrong side.
- String three beads on the thread. Pull them snug so they are right next to the fabric.
- Go back down through the fabric at the end of the three beads, so the beads are on the loop of thread that is on the right side of the fabric.
- Pull it taut.
- Now come back up through the fabric in between the second and third bead.
- Thread the needle through the third bead.
- Pick up another three beads with your needle.
- Go back down through the fabric at the end of the new beads, creating another stitch.
- Repeat.
To make a tighter stitch, you would string only 2 beads at a time. If you have a really long bead, you might string only one at a time.