Surface Beading—Cabochon Surrounds
Backstitching is also great for encircling a cabochon with beads in preparation for attaching it to the surface because you can use it as a base row for building peyote stitch. To attach a cabochon, trace the outline of the cabochon onto the surface. Then, sew a row of seed beads so they land just outside the line. Sew beads in two at a time by backstitching. The encircling row of beads MUST be an even number.
 
Continue in peyote to surround the cabochon. Build two rows of peyote stitch using the same size beads onto the base row. Step up at the end of each round. Continue in peyote, decreasing the size of beads as you add more rounds following the chart below.
base row |
11° |
Delicas |
1st decrease |
Delicas |
Japanese 15° |
2nd decrease |
Japanese 15° |
Czech 15° |
| 