This fun project uses felt or bead backing foundation as a base to glue Crystal Lane Flat Back Crystals into any shape and design! The finished design is then embellished into a gorgeous piece of jewelry by first brick-stitching around the border of the design, and then creating a bracelet band. The possibilities to make this design your own are limitless!
Arrange and plan your selection of Flatback Crystals onto a piece of felt or bead backing large enough for your finished design. Allow for margin on all sides of 2mm or more. Rounded shapes will be easier to brick stitch around later.
Drop a small amount of glue onto a piece of plastic or silicon mat. Using a toothpick, apply a small amount of glue to the felt under each flatback, then place the flatback back down on top of the glue. Press down gently for a few seconds and arrange if necessary, then leave in place. Repeat this step for each flatback.
Allow glue to cure overnight, or per the glue manufacturer's recommendation.
Cut around the shape of your design. Be sure to leave a margin of 2mm around the flatbacks. It can help to use sharp scissors, such as those used for sewing.
Tip: Use a beading thread that matches the color of your felt or bead backing. Cut a length of beading thread that is comfortable for you. Quick Start Brick Stitch: Leaving a 7" (18 cm) tail, string a stop bead. String an 8/0 seed bead. Go through the felt from back to front on the edge of the felt approximately 1.5mm in from the edge.
Come up through the 8/0 bead. The 8/0 bead will sit on the edge of the felt. The stop bead will sit on top of the 8/0 bead. Leave the stop bead in place for now.
Build a border of brick stitch around the piece by picking up a new 8/0 bead, going through the felt from back to front, then coming up through the 8/0 bead just added.
When you have stitched all the way around and reach the first bead added, go back down through the first 8/0 bead. Go through the felt from back to front, then come up through the 8/0 bead. Remove the stop bead. Gently tie a double knot with the working and tail threads.
After finishing step 8, a fun way to add a band for a bracelet design is to brick stitch a set of size 8/0 beads, centered onto each side, onto which you can build a band using herringbone stitch.
Using the brick-stitched 8/0 as your row 1, build a herringbone band to desired length, keeping in mind the clasp will add some length.
Basic Herringbone Stitch PDF Diagram
Basic Flat Herringbone Stitch Video Tutorial
Leslie Rogalski's Flat Herringbone Stitch Video Tutorial
You can add a button closure by working the columns separately towards the end of the band. Work one column to the height of the button, then stitch down to the last, full row. Make the turn and build the second column. Join the columns with two, full rows at the top. Weave in and trim thread.
Repeat Steps 9-11 to create the band on the other side. Attach the button to this side using four, 11/0 beads stitched into a loop off the center, two 8/0 in the last row. Weave in and trim thread.
Nice choice! All or most of the products needed for this project are shown below with quantities. Sometimes we sell out of components and aren’t able to order more from the manufacturer (we know, it is very disappointing to us, too). Use the opportunity to mix up the design and make it yours by substituting similar products or altering the entire color scheme—it’s up to you!
This fun project uses felt or bead backing foundation as a base to glue Crystal Lane Flat Back Crystals into any shape and design! The finished design is then embellished into a gorgeous piece of jewelry by first brick-stitching around the border of the design, and then creating a bracelet band. The possibilities to make this design your own are limitless!
Arrange and plan your selection of Flatback Crystals onto a piece of felt or bead backing large enough for your finished design. Allow for margin on all sides of 2mm or more. Rounded shapes will be easier to brick stitch around later.
Drop a small amount of glue onto a piece of plastic or silicon mat. Using a toothpick, apply a small amount of glue to the felt under each flatback, then place the flatback back down on top of the glue. Press down gently for a few seconds and arrange if necessary, then leave in place. Repeat this step for each flatback.
Allow glue to cure overnight, or per the glue manufacturer's recommendation.
Cut around the shape of your design. Be sure to leave a margin of 2mm around the flatbacks. It can help to use sharp scissors, such as those used for sewing.
Tip: Use a beading thread that matches the color of your felt or bead backing. Cut a length of beading thread that is comfortable for you. Quick Start Brick Stitch: Leaving a 7" (18 cm) tail, string a stop bead. String an 8/0 seed bead. Go through the felt from back to front on the edge of the felt approximately 1.5mm in from the edge.
Come up through the 8/0 bead. The 8/0 bead will sit on the edge of the felt. The stop bead will sit on top of the 8/0 bead. Leave the stop bead in place for now.
Build a border of brick stitch around the piece by picking up a new 8/0 bead, going through the felt from back to front, then coming up through the 8/0 bead just added.
When you have stitched all the way around and reach the first bead added, go back down through the first 8/0 bead. Go through the felt from back to front, then come up through the 8/0 bead. Remove the stop bead. Gently tie a double knot with the working and tail threads.
After finishing step 8, a fun way to add a band for a bracelet design is to brick stitch a set of size 8/0 beads, centered onto each side, onto which you can build a band using herringbone stitch.
Using the brick-stitched 8/0 as your row 1, build a herringbone band to desired length, keeping in mind the clasp will add some length.
Basic Herringbone Stitch PDF Diagram
Basic Flat Herringbone Stitch Video Tutorial
Leslie Rogalski's Flat Herringbone Stitch Video Tutorial
You can add a button closure by working the columns separately towards the end of the band. Work one column to the height of the button, then stitch down to the last, full row. Make the turn and build the second column. Join the columns with two, full rows at the top. Weave in and trim thread.
Repeat Steps 9-11 to create the band on the other side. Attach the button to this side using four, 11/0 beads stitched into a loop off the center, two 8/0 in the last row. Weave in and trim thread.
