October 22, 2009

A beaded fabric flower necklace tutorial

Lately, I've noticed both Etsy and Anthro featuring fabric beaded necklaces. I've also noticed a lot of fabric flowers. So, I decided to combine the two and make myself this necklace. I was going for a Halloween type vibe, but I think it can pass for a post Halloween necklace too. As a matter of fact, it would be a great Christmas gift. Scratch the Halloween theme! This is now my sisters Christmas present. Just joking Julz... unless you like it =)

Below is a tutorial on how to make the necklace.

Supplies
  • Necklace fabric: 2" to 3" strip by width of fabric (43"). This is an estimate. You will likely shorten it, but it's best to have too much than too little. Also, light weight knits, gauze, and stretch fabrics work really well. I used Robert Kaufman's Black Panda Knit fabric (link).
  • Flower fabric: 3/4" wide strips of any type of fabric will do. I used scraps and a striped t shirt I no longer wore.
  • Beads: Any size will do; however, the smaller the bead the longer it will take to finish the necklace.
  • Matching thread and a needle
  • Fray check (optional)
  • felt scrap (optional)
  • pin back (optional)

Instructions

Step 1. Make the casing

1) To determine how wide the casing should be, wrap the fabric around your bead and make note of how much fabric was used. Next add a 1/2" to the measurement. The 1/2" will account for the 1/4" seam allowance. Note: If you are sewing with a stretch knit fabric, only add about 1/4" for the seam allowance (fabric will stretch). Cut your strip. We will adjust the length of the strip later.
2) Fold the strip in half lengthwise (right sides together). Stitch along long edge of strip (opposite of fold) using a 1/4" seam allowance. Do not stitch short ends.
3) To determine the necklace's length, tie the fabric casing around your neck to length you want the necklace to hang. Be sure to tie a bow, because this is how you will attach your necklace. You want to account for the amount of fabric used in the bow. Cut off the excess fabric. You may find that you don't need to cut off any fabric



4) Dab the fabric ends with fray check. This step is optional. The fabric I used does not fray, so I didn't use fray check.

Step 2. Add the beads and tie off

1) Insert one bead at a time through the casing. How many beads is up to you. I used 10 beads. Make sure the beads are centered in the middle of the casing.

2) With matching thread, wrap and tie off the end of the right bead.

3) Insert your needle under the fabric and pull the thread through. Try to get the needle through the fabric to the space between the next bead. If you are unable to pull the thread through in one big stitch, simply insert the needle back into the area it came out and work your way to the space.

4) Once the needle and thread have reached the space between the 2 beads, wrap the thread around the space. Wrap it nice and tight, then tie a knot to secure. Do not cut the thread.

5) With the needle still threaded, repeat the last 2 steps (3 & 4) to the end of the necklace. If you run out of thread, tie a knot to secure the thread. Begin where you left off with a new threaded needle.

Next we'll make the flowers. Before we begin, I must mention that the flowers look best when they are not perfect. I like the frayed edges and awkward folds, so try not to be perfect about the flowers.

Instructions:
Step 1 Cut fabric strip
1) Cut a 3/4" by 22" strip of fabric. The strip doesn't have to be 22" long - it's just a starting point. How long the fabric is will determine the thickness of the flower.
2) Fold the strip in half lengthwise and press.


Step 2 Roll the fabric to make the flower
1) Roll one end of the strip a couple of times. Anchor the roll by stitching the edge of the fold.

Good news! I have removed the chipped glitter nail polish after taking this pic.

2) Fold the fabric strip down in a 90 degree angle and continue to roll the bud (fabric roll) over the 90 degree fold.

3) Take another stitch to secure the bud.

4) Continue to fold and roll, alternating the direction you fold, to the end of the strip, or until you feel the flower is thick enough. If your flower begins to distort and the bud starts to poke out, smoosh it flat.
5) Once you have achieved the desired thickness, tie off your thread.


6) Make 2 more flowers of various sizes.

Step 3 Attach flowers to necklace
1) You can hand stitch the flowers to the necklace or you can do the following:
Arrange the flower cluster on a piece of felt. Make sure the felt is smaller than the flower arrangement and the same color as the necklace. Glue each flower to the felt (or hand stitch). Add a pin back and pin it to the necklace.


Here is another version...

With this necklace, I used smaller beads and wrapped the fabric around the beads as opposed to sliding the beads in a casing. Here's a great tute for this method. Also, I didn't hide the thread by sliding the needle under the fabric. Instead, I wrapped and pulled the thread to the next space and wrapped again. As you can see, rather than tying it in the back, I added another strand of beads and then hand stitch the ends together. After stitching the ends together, I wrapped the stitching with floss to make it pretty.

Here are 3 links to other flowers you may want to use for the necklace.
Fabric rose and peony
Poppy
Rolled Roses see her side bar for the PDF


Enjoy!

Jamie
P.S. Please feel free to share your necklaces at Pretty Ditty Show and Tell flickr group.

60 comments:

Isa said...

Great tutorial, thanks!

Jess @ Floralshowers Craft Blog said...

Love the necklaces! Thanks for sharing!

Cotton Kiwi said...

Just brilliant. Thanks so much. I'll be making some of these as Christmas prezzies.

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

What a great tutorial! Thank you!

chirleymaria2@gmail.com said...

Lindo e fácil de fazer! Belo efeito! já conhecia esta tecnica, mas o seu ficou muito bom mesmo!e no artesanato o bom é isto: cada um cada um!

GoyaDesigns said...

Pretty necklaces. Easy tutorial. I love making jewelry and hopefully others will get into it too.

M Plamondon said...

This looks so lovely and so easy to make. Thanks so much for sharing!!

jacqueline said...

Oh jamie, these fabric necklace are gorgeous and soo chic! Thanks for such a fun tutorial! Hope you're having a good weekend and love to you!

Unknown said...

I love this tutorial, it's really easy to follow! I already put this project on my list for the weekends. Thank you so much!

Twill Jill said...

Awesome idea! I have some ugly, ugly beads. I don't knwo where they came from but couldn't bear to toss them. Never occurred to me to hide them in a casing. Great idea - thanks so much!

Vicky Hernandez said...

Thank you for sharing this tutorial, very well ilustrate.
I had made a similar necklace but insted of sewing in between the beads I had knotted or attached pieces of lace.

Lisa said...

This is just gorgeous! I included it on my blog for Tutorial Tuesday since it would make a great holiday gift, and I think I'm going to gift one to myself. :)
http://www.lisaashby.com/2009/11/tutesday-handmade-holiday-gifts/

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

WOW! I just *love* this and can't wait to make one. I'll be linking to this as well. Thanks so much!

Geek+Nerd said...

Nice take on a classic. I really like the addition of the rosettes - so cute!

Melissa said...

Great tutorial and lovely necklaces!

Unknown said...

Wow what a beautiful necklaces. Thanks Pretty for tuning my mind toward this alternative which has low cost than Estate Necklace.

Anonymous said...

Oh yes,
There are many afford for designing and i am sure its also have a maturity.so take it more.
silver jewelry exporters

Liz said...

This is great! I am going to link this page in my website: www.jewelry-mkaing-resource.com

Thanks for sharing!

Liz

sevianne craft said...

beautifull!!!!!
thanks for th tutorial, i love it!!!

Valerie said...

This is gorgeous! I am filing this at thecraftersfilebox.com.

Thanks so much for sharing!

Unknown said...

Really cute. I used marbles instead of the beads because I didn't have any. Worked like a charm! I will post mine on my blog and link up to you. Thanks for the idea!

Unknown said...

Hi Jamie,

This is gorgeous! In fact it's been selected to be featured in 15 Vintage Flowers & Bows Accessories Tutorials : http://www.homemadehaven.com/15-vintage-flowers-bows


I'd like to invite you to participate on homemadehaven.com. where you can learn & share about all things homemade. You can even create a FREE page promo for shop.

Keep up the great work & see you soon!

Cheers,
Carine

Dee said...

What can I say? I agree with all other commenters! Love this project! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I love the information, I commend them for the idea the flowers.

Caroline White

hormone imbalance symptoms

Rose :: FineCraftGuild.com said...

this is so good that I'd love you to add a link back to your tutorial from our blog through out brand new & weekly DIY / CRAFT tutorials LINKY PARTY

http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-linky-party-free-pillow-crochet-pattern/


Many more people would love to know your idea!

Anonymous said...

This is fantastic! I am a j crew, anthro, boden, clothes lover and this type of necklace is just what they are showing this summer! Can't wait to try to make one.

Unknown said...

this ist really great! you can make one of this in so many different ways. fantastic.

i'm linking. i hope you'll agree.

thanks for the tutorial.

doro.

A Little Bit of Everything! said...

Beautiful! Thanks for the tutorial.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
sheshel said...

I'll try to make it. Its very nice.

Flower store in uk said...

Nice effort, very informative, this will help me to complete my task.

Unknown said...

Nice project ! it seems like you could be a fabric masters !

Jane Chew said...

great tutorial!

i am going to feature your work at www.handmade-jewelry-club.com. Ok with you?

jane
www.diylessons.org

Unknown said...

Excellently bread the fabric. My work is also related to jewelry and i bread the diamond earrings with cotton and also fabrics.

Unknown said...

gold investments - At GBA GOLD we have a wide variety of gold coins available for purchase, in addition to silver coins and other bullion products.

vintage earrings said...

I liked your creativity. You are very talented person. I am impressed with your tutorial. You have explained every step very briefly. Thank you very much ! Love to read more things from your side.

Prefabrik said...

I will immediately dı-o this thanks for sharing.

Prefabrik

Chrissy @ the Pearl Blog said...

I blogged about this after making a few...
check it out
http://jackieandtina.blogspot.com/2011/01/stay-tuned.html

singapore florist said...

thanks for this amazing tutorial. it's such an amazing gift idea to give for someone.

Maria Veigman said...

great tutorials!
one day I will make it!asessega

Minda@ girls jewelry boxes said...

The tutorial is amazing and unbelievably simple. fabric/beads necklace looks gorgeous,specially the blue one above, I'm loving it. Thank you so much for this beautiful ideas.

Briana@ silk bouquets said...

This necklace is simply stunning, the flowers made it more beautiful.

Ali said...

this nickles is so pretty and this tutorial is gorgeous. i liked your black tutorial.
Gifts to Pakistan

Nora said...

Gorgeous!!! those necklaces are pretty amazing, it inspire me to try and make one of those and hopefully will get the same result as you have here. Thanks.

jersey shore season 5 said...

Good post thanks!!!

Diamond Engagement Rings said...

Thank you for sharing this tutorial on this website. I would like to read such good blog posts in future from this website

Kaytee Distribution said...

The idea is very good. I was just about to throw away my old necklaces and rings. Now I can make them even better! By the way - here is my craft ;) Kaytee Distribution

Dionne said...

This is a very awesome inspiration! I would like to feature this tutorial on our page,of course, with credits.
Thanks
Diybeadingclub.com
Diylessons.org
Handmade-Jewelry-Club.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for posting this useful article. It was really helpful for me. I gained a lot of information reading your post. Many thanks for this wonderful post. Best of luck!!!


send gifts to Pakistan

Unknown said...

Some times things created artificially appeal more than the Natural ones. Your floral designs are just like that, Colors full of variety and finishing at its extreme.

blog commenting list || blog commenting site list

successguy said...

I like the content of this blog!
clear skin max buy

florist said...

Cool! I love your site. Very well done. Thanks for organizing everything to where I can find it easier. Keep up the good work! I love it!

Unknown said...

Mostly the post says a lot of very useful things that can be used in doing some good research. phen375 customer reviews

singapore florist said...

I thought it was going to be some boring old post, but it really compensated for my time. I will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will locate that extremely useful

Coupon Codes said...

Excellent posting. Undoubtedly you are an expert when it comes to this writing. This is absolutely the first time I visited your site and to tell the truth it succeeds in making me visit here now and then.

Flowers Website said...

It is the most innovative idea i have ever came across and i think it is an item which can be presented at every good occasion. Really liked your idea and looking forward for more beautiful and innovative ideas.
The Best Website For Send Flowers Online same Day Delivery Service

Tasty Destination said...

This is so cute! I plan on making these for my daughter's 5th grade teachers. Thanks for sharing. dressmaking fabric

Allen Smith said...

How Pretty it is!!! Nice DIY.

Gemstone Engagement Rings

Nancy said...

I found some interesting points and lots of information in your blog. Thank you so much for this informative post. Beading clothing

Engagement Rings UK said...

Nice DIY Jewellery <3