1 Soutache

1.1 Attaching Around Beads

Step 1
Cut two pieces of soutache to approximately 6 inches. Cut an 18-inch piece of beading
thread that matches the soutache, tie a knot at one end, and thread a beading needle.

Step 2
Stack the desired number of pieces together, and line them all up. Insert the needle into
the soutache trim. ALWAYS insert and pass the needle through the center channel of the
cord, through the visible seam.

Step 3
Pull the thread snug, pulling the pieces together, but do not pull tight enough to distort
the shape. In the finished design, only the sides of the soutache will be visible.

Step 4
Stitch several more times away from the knot to attach the cords together. Stitches can
be from 1/16-inch to 1/4-inch apart, and the tension should not be pulled too tight.

Step 5
Position the bead next to the cord, bring the thread up through the bead hole, and pull
snug.

Step 6
Shape the soutache around the bead, and poke the needle through both pieces, being
sure to pass the needle through the center channels of all the cords.

Step 7
After adding the bead, continue stitch through the soutache cord several times.

Step 8
Shape the soutache around the bead. The stitching should reach all the way around the
bead, back to the hole at the center. Stop with the needle and thread on the outside of the stack
of cords.

Step 9
Stitch several times back and forth, underneath the bead, through all of the cords, to
pull the cords together and around the whole bead.

Step 10
Add a second, smaller bead.

Step 11
Shape half of the cords around the bead, and pass the needle through all of the cords to
anchor them in position.

Step 12
Stitch several times through the soutache cords, moving away from the bead just
added.

Step 13
Flip the piece over to the back and shape the soutache around the bead and pull it
across, behind the back of the large bead.

Step 14
Stitch through the cords on the back a few times.

Step 15
Bring the needle up through the cord, next to the large bead, to anchor the ends on the
back to the overall structure.

Step 16
Insert the needle back down through the piece, near to where you came up through the
front, so the stitch ends up hidden between the cord and bead.

Step 17

Stitch through the cords on the back, then push the needle back to the front, close to
the large bead.

Step 18
Repeat steps 16 and 17 several several times to anchor the ends securely on the back.

Step 19
T

rim the cords close to where they are anchored down, being sure to leave at least 1/8-

inch between the anchoring stitches and the ends.

Step 20
Coat hypo-tube cement on the cord ends to stop them from fraying.

Step 21
Stitch through the cords, until the needle is coming out of the unfinished side of the
design, directly across from where the smaller bead was added on the first side.

Step 22
Repeat steps 10-20 to add the second smaller bead to the design.

Step 23
Knot and trim off the remaining threads.

Step 24
Congratulations, you have learned how to surround a bead with soutache cord!

1.2 Attaching Around a Cabochon

Step 1
Glue your cabochon onto a piece of beading foundation (backing), and allow the glue
to dry completely. We used 5 Minute Epoxy.

Step 2
Leave 1/8-inch of your backing around the cabochon, and trim away the rest with
sharp scissors.

Step 3
Cut a piece of thread about 3 times the length of your cabochon. Thread the needle.Tie
a knot close to the end of your thread, and insert the needle up through the backing, right next
to the top center of the cabochon.

Step 4
Cut enough soutache cord to encircle the cabochon, with at least two inches left over.
Position the cords where the thread is coming up out of the backing, leaving at least an inch of
extra soutache cord on one side.

Step 5
Pass the needle through the center channel of the cords, so the thread comes out the
side of the soutache.

Step 6
Pass back through the cord, along the center channel of the side, and through the
beading foundation backing.

Step 7
Make a stitch in the beading foundation, bringing the needle to the front, right next to
the cabochon.

Step 8
Pass through the center channel of the soutache cords, to the outside edge, then pass
back down through the beading foundation close to the cabochon.

Step 9
Keep shaping the cord around the cabochon and stitching until the thread is back at the
top, and the stone is completely surrounded by soutache.

Step 10

Stitch back and forth through the center channel of all of the cords next to the
cabochon to pull them together.

Step 11
Pass through the beading foundation, and knot the thread on the back.

Step 12
Trim the cord at least 1 inch from the stitches that bind the cords together.

Coat the ends of the cord with glue to prevent fraying. We are using Hypo Tube Cement.

1.3 Attaching Multiple Pieces

Step 1
Overlap and arrange the sections you wish to join, so the long pieces attached to one
piece sit over the top of the body of the other piece.

Step 2
Stitch several times through the cords along the back to anchor the thread in place.

Step 3
Pass the needle up to the front of the piece, through some of the other cord and
structure at random. Make sure you go in between the soutache cords and beads to hide the
thread.

Step 4
On the front, add a stitch along the side, and insert the needle back through the cord,
headed toward the back. Making sure the thread is not visible.

Step 5
On the back, add a stitch through the cord or backing, headed toward the front again.

Step 6
Stitch through the cord on the front, along the side of the soutache, to secure the
thread, make sure to keep the thread hidden from the front.

Step 7

Stitch several times through both sides, until the pieces are well secured together, and
the length of thread is on the back of the piece.

Step 8
Knot the thread, and cut off the thread tails.

1.4 Attaching a Backing

Step 1
Trace about 1/8-inch around the outside of the finished design on a piece of paper.

Step 2
Cut the outline with scissors. Set the cut paper onto the beading foundation (backing)
and trace the outline, or pin the paper to the beading foundation and cut around the edge.

Step 3
Apply white glue to the back of the soutache design, and stick the cut backing in place.
Allow the glue to dry completely.

Step 4
Once the glue is dry, use sharp scissors to cut off the excess backing around the edge.

Step 5
Tie a knot at the end of a piece of thread, and insert the needle through the backing to
anchor the thread in place, about 1/8 inch from the edge of the backing.

Step 6
Stitch through the center channel of the outermost cord, going through the outside
edge.

Step 7

Stitch along the center channel of the outermost cord, pass back through the center
channel of the cord, heading toward the back.

Step 8
Come out through the back, about 1/8 inch from the edge. Make a stitch, and pass
back through the backing, heading toward the front of your piece.

Step 9
Stitch through the center channel of the outermost cord, going through the outside
edge.

Step 10
Stitch along the center channel of the outermost cord, pass back through the center
channel of the cord, heading toward the back.

Step 11
Come out through the back, about 1/8 inch from the edge. Make a stitch, and pass
back through the backing, heading toward the front of your piece.

Step 12
Continue all the way around the edge, until the entire backing is anchored firmly to the
front.

Step 13
Knot the end of the thread to secure it. If you plan to add a beaded edge, leave the
thread in place. If you are finished, trim off the thread ends.

1.5 Edging

Step 1 - Option 1: Back Stitch Edge

Work with your remaining thread, or knot the end of a new thread and pass through
the backing to anchor the thread.

Step 2
Stitch up through the backing and through the cord along the center channel edge.
Start from a corner of the design.

Step 3
String four beads onto the thread, and position them along the side of the design (along
the outside center channel of the cord).

Step 4
Stitch down through the outer soutache cord.

Step 5
Stitch along the side of the cord, underneath the last two beads on the outside.

Step 6
Stitch back through the last two beads added.

Step 7
String 3-5 more beads.

Step 8
Since the needle is pointed right at the soutache along the side, and the beads will
extend all the way to the corner, pass through both cords in front of the bead hole.

Step 9
Stitch through the backing, toward the last beads strung. It may require more than one
stitch through the backing to re-position the thread.

Step 10
Pass up through the outer soutache cord, heading back towards the beads.

Step 11

Pass back through the last two beads added.

Step 12
Pass back through the cord next to the beads.

Step 13
Stitch back through the cord, heading toward the outside edge.

Step 14
String 3-5 beads, and position them alongside the cord.

Step 15

Pass back through the cord next to the beads.

Step 16
Add a stitch along the inside edge of the cords underneath the last two beads added.
Pass back through the cords toward the outside.

Step 17
Come up through the backing, and through the outer cord

Step 18
Pass through the last two beads added.

Step 19
Continue the rest of the way around the piece using the same technique.

Step 20
Knot the thread on the back. Trim off the thread tails.

Step 21 - Option 2: Brick Stitch Edge

Continue with your existing thread, or add a new thread. Push the needle through the
backing, and come out the side, through the center channel of the cord, near the edge.

Step 22
String two seed beads.

Step 23
Pass back down through the edge of the soutache cord and the backing so the beads sit
along the side, next to each other.

Step 24
Pass back up through the second bead.

Step 25
String one bead.

Step 26

Pass back down through the edge of the soutache cord and the backing the bead sits
along the side, next to the previously added beads.

Step 27
Pass back down through the edge of the soutache cord and the backing so the beads sit
along the side, next to each other.

Step 28
Pass back up through the last bead added.

Step 29
Continue the rest of the way around until you've added the last bead that will fit
around the edge.

Step 30
Cross over and pass through the first bead, down into the edge of the cord and
backing, and return back through the first bead.

Step 31
Stitch through several more beads, then pass the needle down through the backing.

Step 32
Knot the thread. Trim off the ends.

2 Macrame
2.1 Square knot

Step 1
Cut two pieces of cord. Cut one piece 12 times longer than the desired length of the
finished piece and cut the other 3 times longer than the desired length of the finished piece.

Step 2
Choose a bead to use for the clasp. Test the hole of the bead to make sure that four
strands of cord can fit through.

Step 3
Fold both cords from step 1 in half. Tie an overhand knot with both cords to create a
loop large enough for the clasp bead chosen in step 2 to fit through.

Step 4
Clip the loop into a clipboard. The clipboard will help keep the tension even when you
are making your piece.

Step 5
There will be four cords hanging from the loop. Arrange the two shorter cords in the
center and the two longer cords on the outside. The shorter cords will be called anchor cords
and the longer cords will be called tying cords.

Step 6
Pass the left tying cord over the anchor cords.

Step 7
Pass the right tying cord over the top of the left tying cord.

Step 8
Pass the right tying cord under the anchor cords and through the loop formed by the
left tying cord.

Step 9
Pull on both tying cords to tighten the knot.

Step 10

You have completed your first half knot!

Step 11
The next knot will be a mirror of the knot that you just created. Start by passing
the right tying cord over the anchor cords.

Step 12
Pass the left tying cord over the top of the right tying cord.

Step 13
Pass the left tying cord under the anchor cords and through the loop formed by the
right tying cord.

Step 14
Pull on both tying cords to tighten the knot.

Step 15
Repeat steps 6-14, alternating between starting the knot with the left tying cord and
with the right tying cord.

Step 16
If you lose track of which tying cord to start the next knot with, just look where you
left off for a bump in the cord. Start the next knot with the side that has the bump on it.

Step 17

Continue tying alternating knots until you have reached a place where you would like
to add a bead. If you don't want to add any beads, skip to step 21 at this time.

Step 18
String a bead onto the two anchor cords. Slide it up to your last knot.

Step 19
Tie the next square knot below the bead, starting with the tying cord that you left off
with. The two tying cords will hug the bead.

Step 20
Pull the knot tight so it touches the bead.

Step 21
Continue to create alternating knots (and optionally adding beads) until you have
reached the desired length of the piece.

Step 22
Slide the clasp bead chosen in step 2 onto all four cords.

Step 23
Tie an overhand knot with all four cords flush against the clasp bead. Pull the knot
tight.

Step 24

Cut the excess cord off.

Step 25
Add glue to the knot created in step 23 to prevent the knot from loosening or fraying.
Let the glue dry.

2.2 Half knot spiral

Step 1
Cut two pieces of cord. Cut one piece 12 times longer than the desired length of the
finished piece and cut the other 3 times longer than the desired length of the finished piece.

Step 2
Choose a bead to use for the clasp. Test the hole of the bead to make sure that four
strands of cord can fit through.

Step 3
Fold both cords from step 1 in half. Tie an overhand knot with both cords to create a
loop large enough for the clasp bead chosen in step 2 to fit through.

Step 4

Clip the loop into a clipboard. The clipboard will help keep the tension even when you
are making your piece.

Step 5
There will be four cords hanging from the loop. Arrange the two shorter cords in the
center and the two longer cords on the outside. The shorter cords will be called anchor cords
and the longer cords will be called tying cords.

Step 6
Pass the left tying cord over the anchor cords.

Step 7
Pass the right tying cord over the top of the left tying cord.

Step 8
Pass the right tying cord under the anchor cords and through the loop formed by the
left tying cord.

Step 9
Pull on both tying cords to tighten the knot.

Step 10
You have completed your first half knot!

Step 11

Repeat steps 6-9 to create a row of knots. The knots will spiral naturally.

Step 12
Continue tying knots until you have reached a place where you would like to add a
bead. If you don't want to add any beads, skip to step 16 at this time.

Step 13
String a bead onto the two anchor cords. Slide it up to your last knot.

Step 14
Tie a half knot below the bead. The two tying cords will hug the bead.

Step 15
Pull the knot tight so it touches the bead.

Step 16
Continue to create half knots (and optionally adding beads) until you have reached the
desired length of the piece.

Step 17
Slide the clasp bead chosen in step 2 onto all four cords.

Step 18
Tie an overhand knot with all four cords flush against the clasp bead. Pull the knot
tight.

Step 19
Cut the excess cord off.

Step 20
Add glue to the knot created in step 18 to prevent the knot from loosening or fraying.
Let the glue dry.

2.3 Adjustable closure

Step 1
Cut a piece of cord 4.5 feet long and another piece 20 inches long.

Step 2
Secure the 20 inch anchor cord to your work surface. We are using a clip board to
secure the cord.

Step 3
Center the long cord under the anchor cord at least 4 inches from the end.

Step 4
Pass the left tying cord over the anchor cord.

Step 5
Pass the right tying cord over the top of the left tying cord.

Step 6
Pass the right tying cord under the anchor cord and through the loop formed by the left
tying cord.

Step 7

Pull on both tying cords to tighten the knot.

Step 8
You have completed your first half knot!

Step 9
The next knot will be a mirror of the knot that you just created. Start by passing the
right tying cord over the anchor cord.

Step 10
Pass the left tying cord over the top of the right tying cord

Step 11
Pass the left tying cord under the anchor cord and through the loop formed by the right
tying cord.

Step 12
Pull on both tying cords to tighten the knot.

Step 13
Repeat steps 4-12, alternating between starting the knot with the left tying cord and
with the right tying cord.

Step 14
If you lose track of which tying cord to start the next knot with, just look where you
left off for a bump in the cord. Start the next knot with the side that has the bump on it.

Step 15
Continue tying alternating knots until you have reached a place where you would like
to add a bead. If you don't want to add any beads, skip to step 19 at this time.

Step 16
String a bead onto the anchor cord. Slide it up to your last knot.

Step 17
Tie the next square knot below the bead, starting with the tying cord that you left off
with. The two tying cords will hug the bead.

Step 18

Pull the knot tight so it touches the bead.

Step 19
Continue to create alternating knots (and optionally adding beads) until you have
reached the desired length of the piece.

Step 20
Cut the excess tying cord close to the base.

Step 21
Add a small dab of glue to secure your end knot. Let dry

Step 22
To make the adjustable closure run your end cords parallel. Cut a 12 inch piece of
cord. and center it in the middle of the two cord ends.

Step 23
Repeat steps 4-12 untiil your square knot base is at least 1 inch long.

Step 24
Cut the excess tying cords close to the base.

Step 25
Add a small dab of glue to secure your end knot. Let dry.

Step 26
Check to make sure the bracelet will slide comfortable over your wrist. Tie the anchor
cord ends with a simple knot and trim any excess cord.