Double/Triple Split Basic

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.

    French beaded flowers, double split basic technique

    Photo 1

  2. Make the first 3 rows and then start lace-as-you-go along the middle. Photo 2.
    French beaded flowers, double split basic technique

    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.
    French beaded flowers, double split basic technique

    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.
    French beaded flowers, double split basic technique

    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.

French beaded flowers, double split basic technique

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.
    French beaded flowers, triple split basic technique

    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.

    French beaded flowers, triple split basic technique

    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.
    French beaded flowers, triple split basic technique

    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.

    French beaded flowers, triple split basic technique

    Photo 4

  8. Shape the leaves.