peyote-gourd

yonv2 · 11-03-2006, 09:51 PM

I've been beading for some time now on some leather wrapped round/cylinder items. I was beading what I throught was petote stitch. Now I'm told it is gourd stitch (one bead at atime). Each row around the item is a half a bead off. What am I doing and how does 2 drop and 3 drop different??? Help! and many thanks.

OLChemist · 11-04-2006, 05:55 PM

Two drop requires only two rows to make a complete -- for lack of a better term -- super row. Each row contains half the number of beads needed to go around the piece. The beads in the second row are stitched between every other row.

OLChemist · 11-04-2006, 05:57 PM

OLChemist · 11-04-2006, 06:02 PM

OLChemist · 11-04-2006, 06:09 PM

Three drop gourd stitch differs from 2-drop in that it takes three rows to make a super row. Each row has 1/3 of the beads needed to go around the item. The illustrations below show how these rows go together.

Three drop has a distinctive twist. In my opinion it is more forgiving when fitting the object to be beaded. When designing for three drop striaght lines can be achieved at 30, 60 and 90 degree angles; where as in 2-drop they can be acheived at 45 and 90 degree angles. This makes designing for 3-drop a bit more challenging for the beginner.

OLChemist · 11-04-2006, 06:11 PM

OLChemist · 11-04-2006, 06:13 PM

OLChemist · 11-04-2006, 06:16 PM

OLChemist · 11-04-2006, 06:20 PM

I'm completely guessing here, but based on your comment, I'd say you're doing 2-drop. If you post a picture, I'm sure someone here will be able to figure it out.

Here are links to some other threads that discuss 3-drop gourd stitch and its variations:

Expanding in 3-drop:

Increasing/Decreasing Peyote work

Designing for 3-drop:

Making designs in 3 bead gourd stitch

Chevron variation of 3 drop:

How to:the chevron variation of 3-drop gourd stitch

wyo_rose · 11-06-2006, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yonv2

I've been beading for some time now on some leather wrapped round/cylinder items. I was beading what I throught was petote stitch. Now I'm told it is gourd stitch (one bead at atime). Each row around the item is a half a bead off. What am I doing and how does 2 drop and 3 drop different??? Help! and many thanks.

For starters, great directions OLChemist.

Yonv2, if you're half a bead off it sounds like you just need to adjust your beads while you're tightening your work.

What I was taught about peyote stitch, the beads lay horizontal, instead of vertical. You make the first two rows of beads in a line to go around the object, then connect the ends. Then the next rows are added by threading through the stitching, instead of the previous row's beads. It looks pretty much like brick stitch.

powwowbum49 · 11-06-2006, 04:49 AM

This is mostly a matter of semantics. I say this because depending on the bead worker you talk to the same kind of beadwork style came be called any number of things. In most instructional beading books, 2 drop is almost always called peyote stitch and seldom if ever is 3 drop taught. Now some people, myself included, choose to refer to these styles of beading as gourd stitch rather than peyote stitch out of respect for NAC members and the church itself, and only when it is on a church item is it called peyote stitch.

Now the style of beadwork that WyoRose described above, I have always known as brick stitch or Comanche brick stitch but I have heard others (all natives) call this style of beadwork 'peyote' stitch. I will say it is very different from that described in the instructional beading books as peyote stitch. Now an interesting observation I have made over the years is that very few of the museum pieces that are listed as 'peyote religion' or NAC items I have seen are done in brick stitch. In fact, if I had to rank the order of the most common beading style used on these pieces it would be 2 drop most often, 3 drop style 2nd and brick stitch last...not sure way it is, just what I have seen in museum collections...if one can trust them...LOL

OLChemist · 11-06-2006, 10:58 AM

PB49, I'm with you on the use of gourd stitch, particularly when dealing with non-Natives. I just hate that little gleam some folks get in their eyes when that term confirms their stereotypes about Native drug use Grrr.

Anyway, I have to confess to having abandoned 2-drop to the land of the crunch granola, amulet bag wearing new-agers. My enjoyment of the technique has been ruined by too many purple and cream bead-wrapped quartz crystals.

From a partical point of view, I prefer the 3-drop becasue it seems to give a tighter fit on handles and shows smaller gaps when doing expansions.

yonv2 · 11-10-2006, 06:12 PM

Thanks, OLChemist. great instructions/descriptions.
After reading this I sure what I've been beading is 2 drop. It is as you show in the attachment (1st row an 3rd row in line vertically) I have done the Brick or Comanche stitch as wyo rose described. An yes my beads are running vertical (not horizonal like bricks). Now I need to get on the stick and learn the 3 drop. OK!!! It is gourd correct???? Thanks again to all who replied.

11-03-2006, 09:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
yonv2 Pow Wow Visitor Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 13	peyote-gourd I've been beading for some time now on some leather wrapped round/cylinder items. I was beading what I throught was petote stitch. Now I'm told it is gourd stitch (one bead at atime). Each row around the item is a half a bead off. What am I doing and how does 2 drop and 3 drop different??? Help! and many thanks.

11-04-2006, 06:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
OLChemist Pow Wow Committee Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 744	And some links I'm completely guessing here, but based on your comment, I'd say you're doing 2-drop. If you post a picture, I'm sure someone here will be able to figure it out. Here are links to some other threads that discuss 3-drop gourd stitch and its variations: Expanding in 3-drop: Increasing/Decreasing Peyote work Designing for 3-drop: Making designs in 3 bead gourd stitch Chevron variation of 3 drop: How to:the chevron variation of 3-drop gourd stitch Last edited by OLChemist; 11-04-2006 at 06:26 PM. Reason: Forgot links

11-06-2006, 04:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
powwowbum49 Arena Director Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: midwest, USA Posts: 812	This is mostly a matter of semantics. I say this because depending on the bead worker you talk to the same kind of beadwork style came be called any number of things. In most instructional beading books, 2 drop is almost always called peyote stitch and seldom if ever is 3 drop taught. Now some people, myself included, choose to refer to these styles of beading as gourd stitch rather than peyote stitch out of respect for NAC members and the church itself, and only when it is on a church item is it called peyote stitch. Now the style of beadwork that WyoRose described above, I have always known as brick stitch or Comanche brick stitch but I have heard others (all natives) call this style of beadwork 'peyote' stitch. I will say it is very different from that described in the instructional beading books as peyote stitch. Now an interesting observation I have made over the years is that very few of the museum pieces that are listed as 'peyote religion' or NAC items I have seen are done in brick stitch. In fact, if I had to rank the order of the most common beading style used on these pieces it would be 2 drop most often, 3 drop style 2nd and brick stitch last...not sure way it is, just what I have seen in museum collections...if one can trust them...LOL __________________ PB49 "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Pablo Picasso My comments are based on what I have been taught and my experiences over the years I have been around the circle. They should in no way be taken as gospel truths and are merely my opinions or attempts at passing on what I have learned while still learning more.

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11-06-2006, 10:58 AM	#12 (permalink)
OLChemist Pow Wow Committee Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 744	PB49, I'm with you on the use of gourd stitch, particularly when dealing with non-Natives. I just hate that little gleam some folks get in their eyes when that term confirms their stereotypes about Native drug use Grrr. Anyway, I have to confess to having abandoned 2-drop to the land of the crunch granola, amulet bag wearing new-agers. My enjoyment of the technique has been ruined by too many purple and cream bead-wrapped quartz crystals. From a partical point of view, I prefer the 3-drop becasue it seems to give a tighter fit on handles and shows smaller gaps when doing expansions.

11-10-2006, 06:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
yonv2 Pow Wow Visitor Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 13	Thanks, OLChemist. great instructions/descriptions. After reading this I sure what I've been beading is 2 drop. It is as you show in the attachment (1st row an 3rd row in line vertically) I have done the Brick or Comanche stitch as wyo rose described. An yes my beads are running vertical (not horizonal like bricks). Now I need to get on the stick and learn the 3 drop. OK!!! It is gourd correct???? Thanks again to all who replied.

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