messy mimi: November 2010

Monday, November 29, 2010

Christmas Bead necklace

More about the Christmas bead necklace posted in November

I found this fun post by FROO*GAL on how to make a cloth bead necklace. She has great instructions on how to create one of these. Check it out! So, I thought I would try making this in Christmas fabric.
What I used:
I chose 3 green and 2 red Christmas fabrics
I cut out 2 rectangles (size 1-1/2 x 3" each) for each color plus one extra red one to make a total of 6 green and 5 red covered pieces
Glue stick
20 mm wood beads with large hole (Like Froogal I found these at JoAnn Fabrics ($3.98 for 30)
Choice of ribbon (I used 1/4" wide)
Size 16 Tapestry needle (which I already had, but I think a slightly smaller one would work
Toggle closure
Did not use an awl because I don't have one - but I do think it would help.

It's best to work on top of paper or wax paper when glueing the cloth to the bead. I rub the glue stick all over the fabric swatch. Then fold one edge over about 1/8" or less (Less worked better for me)

Place bead in middle with the holes facing out as pictured

I wrap the fabric around the bead making sure the folded over edge overlaps the raw edge. Then, I used the eye end of the Tapestry needle to work the ends into the holes. This took a little practice so, if you mess up, just remove the fabric and try again. But you end up with something like this: Hopefully yours looks lots better than mine!

Once all eleven beads are covered, it's time to thread the ribbon! For a 20 inch necklace I cut a 30 inch piece of ribbon. but I came out shorter than I wanted so I will add extra just in case next time. Thread the ribbon through the Tapestry needle and then thread the needle through the bead. I had to use needle nose pliers to get the needle and ribbon all the way through. But this is where I think it would be easier if the needle were just a bit smaller. I worked from one end of the strand to the other, but I imagine you could place the first bead in the middle and work out from there. If you are working from one end, then place the first bead 7 inches from the end of the ribbon. Tie a simple knot around each side of the bead, making sure you keep it close to the side of the bead. Then thread another bead on the ribbon and make another knot. Continue until all beads are on board the ribbon!