Making designs in 3 bead gourd stitch

powwowbum49 · 01-09-2003, 08:08 PM

Ok, there were quite a few folks asking about how to put patterns together in gourd stitch so I thought I would see what I could do to help folks get started. This thread will discuss making design for 3 bead drop gourd stitch. I am going to 'attempt' to explain how I determine what kind of patterns I can put on a piece based on what the total number of beads that are pulled off when starting this type of stitch. (i.e., if it is 54 beads around a piece then to start you would pull off 1/3, which is 18 beads. Now that 18 is divisible by 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 or 18 so you can make patterns based on those numbers and your designs will come out even around the piece)

To start I am attaching an example of what line direction you can work in on 3 bead drop. Unlike 2 bead drop the lines coming out left and right are not at the same angle. the line to the left is at a much sharper angle than the one to the right. This is something to keep in mind about this particular style stitch.

powwowbum49 · 01-09-2003, 08:12 PM

Now since our example was 18 beads around on each row and a pattern based on 1 is always a possible no matter how many around a piece is here is the next file with a few basic designs elements based on 1.

webscouter · 01-09-2003, 08:15 PM

I am so excited about this thread. Yea PowWowBum49.

I still have a digital camera for you to use if you need it. Just PM me if you would like to borrow it.

powwowbum49 · 01-09-2003, 08:20 PM

Ok the example of 18 also is divisible by 2 so here are a few design elements based on that number.

powwowbum49 · 01-09-2003, 08:24 PM

Now the next number in the sequence of number that 18 is divisible by is 3 so here are a few elements for it.

powwowbum49 · 01-09-2003, 08:28 PM

Some of you also ask about making feather designs on a piece so here are feathers running in each of the 3 different directions possible. Keep in mind these can be enlarged and elongated but that will change the base number that they can be used in.

powwowbum49 · 01-09-2003, 08:35 PM

Next I will try to show how to put these different elements together to form designs but that will be another night cause I just ain't got the time tonight.

If you have questions feel free to ask or if you have things to add then just chime on in.

Hope this helps!

OLChemist · 01-09-2003, 08:47 PM

LOL. I've been writing the same thing up for my class. I was going to post my notes to the board but you beat me too it. And are doing ver nice job of it:)

If any of you board gurus have any idea on how to handle the logisitics of putting it somewhere do download, I have a WORD 97 file that can be printed for gourd stitch graph paper. This is an original I drew with a graphics program, so it isn't as nice as some of the commerical products but it is free.

What I find fascinating is the regional differences in the design elements.

Sincerely,
OLChemist

powwowbum49 · 01-10-2003, 12:50 AM

Thanks OLChemist I appreciate the cudo! Not sure how to post a downloadable file though I believe it can be done. What I am using to show these elements isn't a high dollar special program either, it is one of 3 files I made in MSPaint that is just plain graphpaper. Since it is in MSPaint I can use the tools there to color the bead areas and thus create the patterns on the puter and then just print them out or as in the case export it.

I have to agree about the regional differences and even more I notice personal styles that some beadworkers develop in gourd stitching and even their beadwork in general.

powwowbum49 · 01-10-2003, 01:20 AM

Now before I post combinations of design elements let me explain some of the ways that I do a piece. Often I will measure the area that I plan on beading and then mark the center of the area. I start my initial row there and then work out in one direction to the end. At that point I turn the piece around and repeat the design out in the other direction. Now I do not do this every time, sometimes I just start at one end and work to the other, it really depends on what I am beading.

I tend to work in design elements of several base units into the same piece (assuming the piece is long enough to do so). I also often use fading techniques through a particular color shade in areas, like fading from a yellow to a burgundy with from 4 - 15 color changes in that fade depending on the area I have to work with, before I start the next design elements. Using bold color changes at the same time I am changing design elements is something I prefer to do in my gourd stitch work. Sometimes I have a primary background color for the whole piece, but more often I use a different background colors for different design element areas. I also try to coordinate designs on a piece, like a gourd rattle or a southern singers leaning stick, so that the designs in different areas of the piece are not completely different form the rest, this gives some continuity to the finished work.

alaskashadowwolf · 01-10-2003, 10:12 PM

PWB49, sorry to inturpt your very informative lesson but I have a question and maybe you were going to cover this later but I was afraid I'd forget. My father was telling me about beading uneven items like a natural piece of wood or a chair spindle, instead of a dowl. for dance sticks and fan handles. He was telling me you have to drop a bead or add a bead so the bead work follows the shape of the wood.
I know I'm just learning how to do peyote stitch, and this sounds pretty advanced. How do you do this?????

OLChemist · 01-11-2003, 12:04 AM

At the risk of interrupting and taking away from your nice work... I'm going to comment that you can generate lots of nice design elements just from those shapes you demonstrated.

01-09-2003, 08:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
powwowbum49 Arena Director Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: midwest, USA Posts: 792	More to come...... Next I will try to show how to put these different elements together to form designs but that will be another night cause I just ain't got the time tonight. If you have questions feel free to ask or if you have things to add then just chime on in. Hope this helps! __________________ 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.

01-10-2003, 12:50 AM	#9 (permalink)
powwowbum49 Arena Director Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: midwest, USA Posts: 792	Thanks! Thanks OLChemist I appreciate the cudo! Not sure how to post a downloadable file though I believe it can be done. What I am using to show these elements isn't a high dollar special program either, it is one of 3 files I made in MSPaint that is just plain graphpaper. Since it is in MSPaint I can use the tools there to color the bead areas and thus create the patterns on the puter and then just print them out or as in the case export it. I have to agree about the regional differences and even more I notice personal styles that some beadworkers develop in gourd stitching and even their beadwork in general. __________________ 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.

01-10-2003, 01:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
powwowbum49 Arena Director Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: midwest, USA Posts: 792	basic info Now before I post combinations of design elements let me explain some of the ways that I do a piece. Often I will measure the area that I plan on beading and then mark the center of the area. I start my initial row there and then work out in one direction to the end. At that point I turn the piece around and repeat the design out in the other direction. Now I do not do this every time, sometimes I just start at one end and work to the other, it really depends on what I am beading. I tend to work in design elements of several base units into the same piece (assuming the piece is long enough to do so). I also often use fading techniques through a particular color shade in areas, like fading from a yellow to a burgundy with from 4 - 15 color changes in that fade depending on the area I have to work with, before I start the next design elements. Using bold color changes at the same time I am changing design elements is something I prefer to do in my gourd stitch work. Sometimes I have a primary background color for the whole piece, but more often I use a different background colors for different design element areas. I also try to coordinate designs on a piece, like a gourd rattle or a southern singers leaning stick, so that the designs in different areas of the piece are not completely different form the rest, this gives some continuity to the finished work. __________________ 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.

01-09-2003, 08:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
webscouter Senior Dancer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 623	I am so excited about this thread. Yea PowWowBum49. I still have a digital camera for you to use if you need it. Just PM me if you would like to borrow it.

01-09-2003, 08:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
OLChemist Pow Wow Committee Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 720	LOL. I've been writing the same thing up for my class. I was going to post my notes to the board but you beat me too it. And are doing ver nice job of it:) If any of you board gurus have any idea on how to handle the logisitics of putting it somewhere do download, I have a WORD 97 file that can be printed for gourd stitch graph paper. This is an original I drew with a graphics program, so it isn't as nice as some of the commerical products but it is free. What I find fascinating is the regional differences in the design elements. Sincerely, OLChemist

01-10-2003, 10:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
alaskashadowwolf Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 78	PWB49, sorry to inturpt your very informative lesson but I have a question and maybe you were going to cover this later but I was afraid I'd forget. My father was telling me about beading uneven items like a natural piece of wood or a chair spindle, instead of a dowl. for dance sticks and fan handles. He was telling me you have to drop a bead or add a bead so the bead work follows the shape of the wood. I know I'm just learning how to do peyote stitch, and this sounds pretty advanced. How do you do this?????