How to Make Mohawk Indian Beadwork
Appliqué is the main style of beadwork that Mohawk Indians and eastern woodland tribes used. The appliqué style of involves stitching beads directly on to material or leather. Modern-day beaders continue to combine both traditional beadwork techniques and new contemporary beadwork styles in their beaded artwork. Learning to create Mohawk Indian beadwork takes time and practice.
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Things You'll Need
- Beading pattern(s)
- Beading pattern books
- Material or leather to bead on
- Beading needles
- Beading thread
- Beeswax
- 10 to 12 Small plastic lidded containers
Instructions
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Draw a diagram in pen or pencil on the material or leather that you want to bead. Follow the pattern for the bead design by using a ruler, if needed, to draw straight guide lines and cross sections for each bead row.
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Thread the beading needle with the beading thread. Make a double knot on one end of the thread. Make your first stitch by piercing the leather or material from underneath it, and going up through the piece of material to the other side. The thinner the leather or material is, the easier it will be for you to stitch the beads to it. Start at the center of the beadwork project and work out from there.
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Add the first bead or two to the beading thread. Some designs that incorporate flowers might start with two beads in the center of the pattern, instead of one. It is best to bead around a single bead or two that is firmly attached to the center of the beaded item, working your way to the outside and edges of the pattern.
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Pull the thread back through the material or leather. The object is to have the beads lying as flat as possible on the material, without them being loose or bunched up. From there, continue to stitch up through the material; add on beads; firmly attach them to the project, and stitch in the direction that the pattern requires. Add different bead colors per the pattern. If the pattern requires that a different amount of beads be stitched on at once, follow the pattern directions.
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Stitch the last beads on to the material. Pull the thread through the leather or material tightly, but not so tight that the project bunches up. Knot the thread on the back side. Some beaders like to apply glue to the back of their beadwork to ensure that the thread does not break, and that the beads stay firmly affixed to the material or leather.
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Tips & Warnings
If you do not already have a pattern designed and need help with beading patterns, consult or purchase some beading pattern books.
Purchase beads and beading needles that will work with size 10 or 11 glass seed beads, as most appliqué beadwork uses beads of these sizes.
Purchase beading thread that is appropriate for stitching with size 10 or 11 glass seed beads and beeswax to give the beading thread strength during the beading process.
If you have difficulty seeing small objects, use a magnifying glass or other magnifier to make Mohawk Indian beadwork. Beads are tiny in size.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Colorful beads image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
