Brick Stitch History

Hey, I found this cool history of the brick stitch which I thought I'd share. I've included an extract of it here.

Julie

Brick Stitch is a very old beading stitch. It is a relative to peyote stitch. Both brick stitch samplers can be made using peyote stitch if the patterns worked vertically instead of horizontally.

Native Americans have used brick stitch for many years. The Comanches used brick stitch extensively, as well as peyote (gourd) stitch for decoration of bags, cradles and other items. Some Iroquois wrist and hair bands were worked in bead stitches that kept each row of beads offset much like brick stitch and perhaps was a precursor to the stitch. The Totadaho Belt (wampum), dated late 1750’s is probably worked in long strips of bugles and then stitched together, making an offset appearance that looks like brick stitch. Old, brick stitch beadwork has been found in Guatemala worked in antique beads size 22/0 or smaller. The originators are unknown. Beadwork from Africa and the Middle East also include brick stitch techniques. In reviewing quill work and basketry created by Native Americans, the cross sections of various reeds in basketry and quills placed in decorative pieces both naturally appear offset like brick stitch beading. The motifs easily work from one medium to another. Perhaps as the use of beads evolved, the same appearance was desired that follows in the other crafts.