The Herringbone Stitch.....Also known as Ndebele! By Michelle Geller & Colleen Ewart
May 29, 2022
![The Herringbone Stitch.....Also known as Ndebele! By Michelle Geller & Colleen Ewart]()
This month, Island Cove is featuring the Herringbone stitch. A geometric, versatile pattern for using different sizes and shapes of beads to create beautiful beaded jewelry!
Named after the backbone of the Herring fish, the 2 bead pattern creates a shape like a “v” similar to a chevron but not the same, and is then stacked in neat columns. You have probably already come across this pattern many times in fabrics, textiles, and embroidery.
The ancient Romans built their structures and roadways, zig-zagging brick over gravel. The infrastructure was so durable that you can still walk on herringbone roads today. You can certainly walk on modern parquet flooring and you will find it in the backsplash of kitchens and showers. The Egyptians used it in their paintings and jewelry and today men’s suites are still woven with herringbone stitch.
Herringbone is also known as the Ndebele stitch named for the tribes of Southern Africa. There the beadwork becomes a language of its own. A Zulu love letter is beadwork made and given to another. Through the symbolism of color combined with art and skill, you can tell a lot about a person by the beads they wear.
As artisans, we don’t like to see traditions disappear. We love the opportunity to pass along the knowledge and history of these traditional bead patterns.
Like other stitches there are many variations on this pattern. Debbye will be teaching the Twisted Herringbone, a colorful swirl pattern that can be made into a rope bracelet or necklace which can be worn by itself or with your favorite pendant.
Debbye will also teach a basic flat herringbone stitch and show you how easy it is to add herringbone beadwork to your repertoire.
Michelle has designed a new bracelet that would stand alone delicately or you could stack them in lots of colors! Look for the Herringbone Kiss Bracelet on the schedule!
Sue has yet another variation of the flat herringbone called the infinity bracelet which you can do in a solid color or a 2 color combo.
And Marti will teach the Andromeda Bracelet. A stunning geometric design including some herringbone sections that truly makes a statement piece.
These are all needle and thread projects but as always with each class you will receive Island-Cove’s style of tips and techniques to help you sew like a pro.
So join us at Island Cove this month where we get to share our favorite traditional bead patterns with you!
