French beaded flowers technique: Double and Triple Split Basic

Level: Intermediate

The Double and Triple split basic techniques are a variation of the Basic Frame technique. It is a way to create 2 or 3 petals or leaves on one wire instead of making 2 to 3 individual units. There are many advantages for using these techniques. You will use less wire, makes beading faster, and there’s less bulk at assembly.

PDF >> Double and Triple Split Basic PDF 

Practice Leaves – 11/0 green beads/24 gauge green wire
Pattern: 3-bead double split basic (DSB), PT PB, 11 rows – make 7

Prepare: String green beads onto a spool of green wire. Approx. 22 inches (56 cm) beads per Leaves set.

1. Double Split Basic. Make a basic frame with 3 beads for the basic row and 3 beads in the basic loop with a 4 inch (10.1 cm) twisted wire/loop. Photo 1.
   

   Photo 1

2. Make the first 3 rows and then start lace-as-you-go along the middle. Photo 2.
   

   Photo 2

   Make the leaf according to the Leaves A pattern above.

3.  Move the 3 beads in the loop to one side. Cut along the top so that there are two wires. Photo 3.
   

   Photo 3

   Knot the wire with the beads. The other wire is now one of the ending tail wires.

4. Twist the working-wire and the wire with the beads together to form another twisted wire. Photo 4.
   

   Photo 4

   Tip: Measure the twisted wire from the first leaf to get the length for the second twisted wire.

Make the second leaf according to the Leaves A pattern. Cut another tail off of the spool. Photo 5.

Triple Split Basic

Practice leaves – 11/0 green beads/24 gauge green wire
Pattern: 3-bead triple split basic (TSB), two leaves with 9 rows and one leaf with 7 rows, PT PB

Prepare: String green beads onto a spool of green wire. Approx. 22 inches (56 cm) beads per Leaves set.

1.  Triple Split Basic. Make a basic frame with 3 beads for the basic row and 6 beads in the basic loop with a 4 inch (10.1 cm) twisted wire/loop. Start lace-as-you-go.
2. Make the first leaf with 9 rows. Divide the beads so there are 3 on each side of the loop. Cut at the top. Photo 1.
   

   Photo 1

   Knot the ends.

3. Twist the working-wire and one of the cut wires to form a new twisted wire. Make another leaf with 9 rows.
4. Twist the working-wire and the last cut wire together to form another twisted wire. Tip: To get the right length for the 3rd twisted wire, make one twist less than the first two twisted wires. Photo 2.
   

   Photo 2

5.  Make a leaf with 7 rows. Cut a tail off the spool.
6. With the triple split basic, there is only one bottom wire. To end up with two bottom wires, take a 3 inch (7.6 cm) length of wire, hook ¼ inch (.6 cm) of the wire in between two leaves. Photo 3.
   

   Photo 3

   Note: Having two bottom wires help the stability of the stem when assembled.

7.  Twist the wires together. Now there are two bottom wires. Photo 4.
   

   Photo 4

8. Shape the leaves.