Tutorial: Simple Summer Linen and Art Beads Necklace

Art Beads on linen.  Art Beads by Mary Harding (ceramic ones) and Rolled Polymer Clay Beads by Margit Bohmer

We often get very hot days in the summer and I am always searching for jewelry to wear that isn't going to make me swelter.  I have a favorite that I want to share with you today.  It is simple to put on and simple to make.  Its very special summer secret is that it is made of linen. The reason linen is such a favorite for summer clothing is that is it doesn't cling to your skin and has the ability to both quickly absorb and evaporate moisture.  For these reasons a necklace made from linen will feel quite a bit cooler than if it is made of other fabrics or materials.

                          Simple Summer Linen Necklace by Mary Harding



Materials
1/4 quarter yard natural color linen at least 30 inches wide
Sewing thread to match
Needle
Assorted art beads with large holes--at least 4.00 mm for stringing onto the fabric.  The ones for the tie clasp do not need to be quite as large as the ones for the center of the necklace since that fabric is thinner on the ends than in the center--see directions below.

Directions
1.  Tear 2 strips of Linen: one 28  inches long and  1/2 inch wide and one 12 1/2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide
2.  Hand stitch the shorter piece of linen to the longer piece.  Center it so that it leaves the same length of single thickness on both ends (about 8 inches on each end.) Arrange your stitching so that it is on both edges of the cloth(see picture below.) This extra fabric will thicken the linen and give the part where you string on the beads extra fabric for holding the beads in place wherever you want to place them.

                                Shorter piece of linen hand stitched to the longer piece

4. String on several large hole beads onto your fabric.

            Beads strung onto the linen neck piece and beads for tie clasp also have been added.

The clasp
For the tie clasp string on a bead and then tie a knot about  2 1/2 inches from the end of the tie.  Tighten the knot by pushing it further along until there is only about 1/2-3/4 inches of material left over.  Repeat for the other end of the tie clasp. Refer to the picture above to see how they will look.
Another option

You can add to your necklace after it is finished by using large jump rings.  The beads can be moved around.  For exanple you could add a light weight pendant or charm with a large jump ring between two beads as seen below:

             Summer Linen necklace with art beads and handmade bird charm-by Mary Harding


I hope you have found this tutorial inspiring and will try out some ideas with linen.  Thanks so much for stopping by.
Mary