Mastering Herringbone Stitch: The Complete Guide

by Melinda Barta

A fresh and thorough approach to learning and mastering herringbone stitch!A follow-up to Mastering Peyote Stitch, Mastering Herringbone Stitch provides a solid overview to the second-most popular beadweaving technique--herringbone stitch. Learn the basics of creating flat bands, then advance into circular, tubular, and spiral variations of the stitch.Additional chapters cover combining herringbone with other beadweaving techniques such as peyote stitch, square stitch, brick stitch, and right-angle weave. Former Beadwork Designers of the Year such as Kelly Wiese, Lisa Kan, Leslie Frazier, Carole Ohl, Jean Power, Jill Wiseman, and Jean Campbell, contribute project designs to demonstrate a range of styles. Twenty new step-by-step projects are included, with many variations. Take your beading to the next level with Mastering Herringbone Stitch--a comprehensive guide for advanced beginners as well as an inspirational resource.

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 7, 2014

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Melinda Barta, and the fact that lately she has been taking one stitch and breaking it down, simplifying and focusing on it, is a great idea. It is useful for all kinds of bead weavers, both new and experienced.

In this book, which is all about herringbone, the reader will get a great idea of why and how the stitch is created. As well, he or she will see successive additions to the basic flat band. You will get to learn how to make circular,tubular and spiral variations of herringbone.

Admittedly, the book is not pure, straight up herringbone. There are some stitches included with the herringbone. Among these are peyote, square stitch, brick stitch and RAW.

However, herringbone IS the star here ! When the title says: MASTERING HERRINGBONE STITCH: The Complete Guide, the author isn't kidding. "Complete" is the operative word here! Therefore, if you have any interest at all in herringbone (and it is one of the top fave stitches for seed beaders and weavers, so if you are reading this, you probably do), I can recommend this excellent instructional book to you completely and wholeheartedly. It is not only educational and helpful in the best sense, it is BEAUTIFUL!

Along with Ms. Barta's guidance and creative designs, you will also be getting a cadre of totally FAMOUS AND FANTASTIC beaders who are, as well, a part of this book. These seed beaders, all of whom are extremely great at what they do and how they go about doing it, agreed to participate in MASTERING HERRINGBONE STITCH by offering projects related to herringbone stitch, to be shown and taught in this book.
These marvelous teachers and designers are all "Beadwork Designers of the Year" . This is a prestigious title and is one to be extremely proud of.

I am going to be very surprised if you are not familiar with their names.

The designers who add their own sense of beauty and style to this super book of Ms. Barta's are: Jean Campbell, Leslie Frazier, Carole Ohl, Kelly Wiese, Jill Wiseman, Jean Power, and Lisa Kan. That is some line up of superstars! Along with the author herself, it doesn't get any better than this!

I can't even choose a favorite project from the 21 which are offered. I will tell you that Jean Campbell is apt to make me sigh with pure delight when I come across her work, and indeed her project, "Jeanne Moreau" just about made me collapse in all its silver and blue beauty.



There is a "design option" to make a coordinating bracelet as well, which is absolutely breathtaking.

I think this is a good time to illustrate why the reader might be wondering if 21 projects is seemingly not a lot of projects, or not "enough" projects. Here is the explanation for this number. For example: there are EIGHT PAGES devoted to Ms. Campbell's project. They include not only beauty photographs, which are really inspiring, but a variation of the necklace as well, It is also explained within this project why herringbone is the major player in the Jeanne Moreau (which indeed uses other stitches along with herringbone), You also get GREAT tech illustrations; complete and excellent. I think that clarifies how very thorough this book is.

The lineup of chapters is as follows:
After the Acknowledgements and Introduction, first up is The Basics, which is everything you need to know to get started with herringbone, and specifically with this book.
Next come the chapters which build upon one another in a logical progression:
Flat Herringbone Stitch
Circular Herringbone Stitch
Tubular Herringbone Stitch
Twists and Spirals
Finishing Touches
and
Beyond the Basics
Beyond the Basics helps you with some of the other techniques which you need to know.The author and the additional designers' bios follow, as well as a nice list of resources and shopping sources.

Finally, I cannot leave this review without mentioning the spectacular author and designer herself: Melinda Barta!

I have admired her for years now, especially because of her amazing ability to "see beauty everywhere", and to interpret it using her talent, so that we can see it as well. She is one of a kind in this. I love Melinda's pieces in this book! You will too!
All you have to do is look at any one of them and you will understand why she authored MASTERING HERRINGBONE: The Complete Guide, and is the major contributor to this seminal book on herringbone.
I know this is part of a series. I have not reviewed the book which preceded it. However, having read this one now, I can't wait to back up and check out that Mastering book, as well.

The pieces I want to describe so that you understand how special Melinda is are right on the cover. These two pieces are paisley in shape. The one in the front is called "Paisley Paillettes" and the colors and workmanship are delightful and appealing. Look at how Melinda worked the clasp when you get the book. You will see genius collaborating with art when you see that. The necklace on the cover is the design option for "Paisley Paillettes". It rocks the bracelet, by incorporating semi-precious stones such as labradorite and garnet, with a strand of fantastic strung labradorite complimenting the paisley focal piece. You are going to totally want to make both these pieces!
What a great book! I can't imagine anyone not being thrilled by this magnificent work, MASTERING HERRINGBONE STITCH: The Complete Guide, by Melinda Barta.
Just when you think there is nothing new under the sun, along comes a fantastic new take on a classic favorite stitch. You won't want to miss this one!

[Sharon Shoemaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

For intermediate to advanced beaders

Mstering Herringbone Stitch has a good intro to Herringbone. I think anyone can read and pick up the basic stitch. Many of the projects go beyond basic. These will take effort and practice to complete. There might be nicer looking and easier versions of these using peyote.

[JL · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't do beading but I thought everything was really well written and explained