Bead & fabric necklace

By Spotlight

If beading’s your thing & you feel like exploring with new materials, consider introducing fabrics into your work. The texture & colours you’re able to create produce truly unique & wearable items.

Final Result

Materials

• 10cm x 150cm wide printed satin, silk or polyester fabric
• 1 x 30mm wooden bead
• 6 x 25mm wooden beads
• sewing thread
• scissors
• sewing machine
• tape measure

Step 1

Fold fabric widthwise with right sides together to make a long strip. Make a tube by sewing together across one end and down the long side, leaving one end open. Turn tube right side out.

Step 2

Measure 28cm in from the closed end, and make a knot in fabric. From the open end thread on a 25mm bead, pushing it up against knot. Leave 2-3cm of fabric tube and make a knot in fabric. Now place a 25mm bead inside the fabric tube and push up against knot. Twist fabric on other side of enclosed bead and make a knot firmly against bead to secure bead in position. Thread another 25mm bead on the outside and push up against knot. Leave 2-3cm of fabric tube and knot again. Place the 30mm bead inside tube and push up against knot (this will be the centre of necklace). Twist and knot fabric against enclosed bead. Leave 2-3 cm of fabric tube, thread on a 25mm bead and knot next to bead. Insert another 25mm bead into tube and push against knot. Twist and knot fabric to secure enclosed bead. Leave 2-3cm of fabric, thread on final 25mm bead and make a final knot to secure.

Step 3

Turn in raw edges of fabric on open end of fabric tube to match length of other side. Topstitch end closed.

Handy Hint

When selecting beads, make sure the hole is large enough for the fabric to pass through.

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