Bead JewellerySeed bead weaving stitches — the seven that matter
Bead fabric in progress — every woven piece is one of a handful of stitches, repeated with intent.
Almost every seed-bead woven piece in the world is built from seven
stitches. Learn them in this order and each one makes the next easier.
1. Peyote stitch — the gateway
Flat even-count peyote is THE beginner weave: offset rows that build a
brick-like fabric, readable from a graph. Start flat, learn increasing and
decreasing, then try tubular.
2. Right-angle weave (RAW)
Beads joined in diamonds of four — fast, flexible, and the base of countless
embellished pieces. The cubic variant (CRAW) is the 3D showpiece builder.
3. Brick stitch
Rows hung off a ladder foundation — the go-to for shaped motifs: leaves,
hearts, earrings with points.
4. Herringbone (Ndebele)
Columns that lean into V-shapes; creates fabric with gorgeous drape and a
distinctive zigzag spine.
5. Square stitch
Grid-true and rigid — the stitch for pixel-perfect patterns and structural
bands.
6. Netting
Open, lacy, fast to grow — collars and festive pieces. Tension control
matters more than anywhere else here.
7. St Petersburg chain
A two-bead rhythm that makes a scalloped strap — the finishing-school stitch
for bracelets and necklaces.
The tension rule that runs through all seven
Every stitch above fails the same way: too tight buckles, too loose slumps.
A structured class fixes tension in days instead of months — the
Fashion Jewellery ladder
teaches the weaving families with instructor eyes on your hands. See also the
seed bead sizes guide and the
techniques overview.
What students say
“I hope to start and improve my own online shop.”
— Josephyn Y. (Singapore) · published student feedback
“If you want to understand about jewellery, come to JDMIS.”
— Darvina P. (Singapore) · published student feedback
Free ways to explore
No sign-up, no payment — start with any of these.
The school's free guide to gems — reading companion to the webinars.Free gem webinar replaysFREE
Full recorded sessions on gems and the jewellery trade.Play Name That GemFREE
The school's free gem-identification game — addictive.The complete course guideFREE
Every course, family and diploma in one PDF.
Turn beading into a certified skill
JDMIS in Singapore runs hands-on fashion jewellery and beading courses, from one-day workshops to a full Fashion Jewellery Arts diploma.
Visit jdmis.edu.sg