I've seen necklaces like this one at handmade markets and really like the idea of jewellery made with fabric. However, I wasn't sure whether I could pull off wearing one or whether they're considered strictly for the teensy weensies? In any case I had a go at making one with a scrap of Liberty and rather like the result. Feeling a bit devil-may-care, I wore it to school drop off last week and even got asked by a few mums (and teachers) where I got it. (Mother's day stall, here we come.....!!)
I made it by cutting a rectangle of the fabric scrap from selvedge to selvedge and sewing it into a tube, leaving the seam open by about an inch at each end. I also cut the ends on a slant to add some definition. The finished tube has to be wide enough to accommodate the size of bead that you're using (my "beads" were 10 standard sized marbles from a large pack purchased from K-mart).
Start by tying a knot in the very centre of the tube and then add one bead to each side of the central knot, alternating between the sides until you have the number you want. I used 10 beads in total. Obviously the more beads and more ties that you make in the fabric, the shorter your finished necklace will become.
Make a final knot on each side and topstitch the opened ends of the tube to close them off.
wow, super cute and sounds like fun! Thanks for sharing! cute cute!
Posted by: Anna | March 30, 2010 at 04:15 PM
Very cute Marina! And very clever too...may have to give one a whirl :)
Posted by: Stephanie Phillips | March 30, 2010 at 06:28 PM
I've made a few for friends as feeding necklaces.
Posted by: Kathryn | March 30, 2010 at 08:34 PM
ooohhhhh, very summer style! Love it :)
Posted by: Claudia | April 24, 2010 at 04:38 AM