Indian Instigator

How does flat stitch rate with you?

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Black Forest

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[This message has been edited by Black Forest (edited February 05, 2001).]

D. Dean

Sorry.....never heard of "flat stitch" I agreed that there are too many names for all the different techniques. The major problem in this country is that names seem to be assigned almost regionally or how you were raised into the culture. Old habits are hard to break!!!!
D.Dean

NIENIE

I think what you are calling "flat stitch" is what we call flat work. This is just what the name implies, bead work with a flat appearance. We do this kind of work using two threads. One thread to string the beads on and the other to sew or tack them down. I tack down every two beads with most geometric patterns and every one bead with floral. I do this work quite a bit. Crows don't do too much lazy stitch. Yes, I said lazy stitch and I'm not implying that anyone who uses this stitch is lazy, that's just the term I grew up using.

Black Forest

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[This message has been edited by Black Forest (edited February 05, 2001).]

lightningflash

Here in the Pac NW most of the tribes do the Plateau-style beadwork, which is I guess what you are referring to as "flat stitch." I've never heard the term "lane stitch," as everyone calls that style "lazy stitch" because what the elders have told me is that you're lazy to do it because you're sewing more than one bead at a time...not to offend anyone though!

Indian Instigator

The first time I heard someone use that term I had to ask what it was too. I was told that the beads are tacked down individually. I was wondering if folks who are familiar with this stitch prefer it over lazy stitch (which is what I call it) for mocs and such. Is the beadwork more durable?
Thanks.

D. Dean

It is not a matter of what you prefer, it is a matter of what you are beading and is it traditional done in what style stitch. I personally like doing two needle applique simply because of the way you can create pictures with this style of work.
D.Dean.

Black Forest

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[This message has been edited by Black Forest (edited February 05, 2001).]

Jacques

Who came up with that "Lazy stitch"word anyway?
I suspect a white man ,scholar from the turn of the century.And there it went into use as so many myths and misinformations that people gobble without questions.
Just like the words "pony bead" or "Santee style".
"Lane stitch" has my vote.There is nothing lazy about doing that technic.

Black Forest

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[This message has been edited by Black Forest (edited February 05, 2001).]

tipis

I also support the term "lane stitch".
But also heard the use of "lazy stitch" when I lived out in the North West US.
It is all a matter of where you use the work, just be prepared to know what all the meanings relate too.

Tipis

lightningflash

I'm just saying...I use the term lazy stitch and don't find it offensive. I've never heard an Indian beadworker use "lane stitch" because nobody would know what you're talking about. I've never heard of Orchard and I'm sure that the grandmas at Yakama and Warm Springs don't read beadwork books, so I can't imagine they got the term lazy stitch from that. It's just what they say - that you're lazy if you do it. They will tell you that to your face, and not mean to be offensive about it.

ANYWAY...I do all styles of beadwork and yes it depends on what you are beading and what tribal style you are following.

Indian Instigator

To those of you who have replied to my question, thanks.

[This message has been edited by Indian Instigator (edited February 02, 2001).]

Steve

Hi,
I am interested in your work, could you post a picture of some of your work so we can all enjoy it? Thanks!

REgards,
Steve

T Dave

Flatstitch?
I hate it. I suck at it. I've tried it once and if I never do it again, I'll be happy. Lazy stitch rules. In the time it took me to flatstitch one horse on my pendleton ball hat (admittedly it looks nice) I could have lazied myself an entire belt. Not to mention the part about remembering where BOTH of the needles are, and how much I bled when I tried it. Good thing my hat is dark wool, and won't show the stains. Man. It does make some really pretty stuff though. And I suppose that with a little practice I could learn to like it. I still like my lazy stitch. Or lane stitch. Or whatever.
Laterz
Dave

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Infantry, Let us Prey. -9th Infantry "Black Panther" Division, Royal Thai Army.

lightningflash

That's why I don't like the two-needle method...I usually use (I guess what you would call) a running stitch - one needle, no pain and it looks awesome...

lsijohn

I like doing the flat stitch. One easy way to tell which thread you use to loop and which thread you use to string -- use one long needle and one short needle.

Someone else also mentioned using one thread altogether. I've done some of my work that way, too.

Both methods work very nice.