Instead of doing a simple scallop, however, I wanted something a little more significant as a choker style with scallops and drops. I've never learned to do the right angle weave, but I know how to sew, so I decided to try this Embellished Right Angle Weave using a tutorial I found from Auntie's Beads on YouTube.
The thing that caught my eye about this RAW pattern is that it forms a grid using seed beads. There are all sorts of variations you can do with that base. So anyway, I modified her pattern here by using 11/0 Miyuki Delica seed beads and also 3mm Toho Magatama seed beads. The cool thing about the Magatama beads is that the hole is not centered, so it gives a little more random look to a highly structured pattern. I have some 5mm Swarovski bicones that I scored on sale at Ben Franklin and two toned AB 3mm Czech beads that are left over from a flat spiral bracelet I made last year.
Anyway, the result looks great so far, but it's kicking my butt! It takes me about an hour to cover 3/4" and since I want to do a dog collar type of choker, that sucker ought to be 12" with an extender chain but as it turns out, I only have enough Magatama beads for about 9 or 10 inches. (Darn.) So then I have to figure out some additional stitching on either end of the right angle weave. It also takes a long time to add thread since there are multiple passes through beads to begin with and the fact that I want to err on the side of caution with the weight of the finished piece... if I ever finish, that is. My hands cramp after about 2 hours so you can do the math. I've got about 6 inches done on the base. At this rate, I'll be lucky to finish in time.
I sure hope that part goes faster than this right angle weave. At my current pace, I'm going to have to start working during my lunch breaks at work.
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