Fabric and Fiber Necklace

Fabric and Fiber Fun Necklace

Erin Siegel

Try adding some fiber fun to your jewelry-making this Summer season! You can set off a handmade bead or component with soft materials, like in this necklace.

Materials:

6 Fabric covered 20mm beads in assorted colors

3 Cotton cord covered 20mm beads in pink and white

1 Crimson glass link

1 Pink 40” hand-dyed silk ribbon

2 Antiqued brass 19mm ribbon ends

1 Vintaj 35x11mm hook and eye clasp

2 ½” of cameo dupioni silk ribbon

Tools:

Chain nose pliers

Painter’s tape (optional)

Nylon jaw pliers (optional)

Big eye beading needle

Fabric glue

Scissors

Ruler

Finished Size: 20”

Tip: If you don’t have nylon jaw pliers, try wrapping painter’s tape around the jaws of your chain nose pliers to prevent marring the ribbon end findings.

1: Cut the ribbon 2” from the end. *Apply glue along the cut edge, fold the ribbon over ¼” and let dry. Apply glue to the inside of one ribbon end. Insert the folded ribbon into the ribbon end and squeeze the finding closed with nylon jaw pliers. Let dry. Use chain nose pliers to open one loop of the clasp. String on the loop of the ribbon end and close the loop of the clasp like you would a jump ring.*

2: Tie an overhand knot 4” from the ribbon end. Thread the opposite end of the ribbon through the big eye of the beading needle. String 3 fabric beads, tying an overhand knot after each bead. Then, alternate between cord covered and fabric covered beads for the next 6 beads, ending with a fabric covered bead.

3: Tie an overhand knot around one side of the glass link. Tie an overhand knot around the opposite side of the link. Tie another overhand knot against the previous knot.

4: Cut the ribbon 4 ½” from the last knot. Repeat step 1 from * to *.

5: Place the piece of dupioni silk between the glass link and the last fabric covered bead and tie it on with an overhand knot. Apply glue to the knot and let dry. Trim ends to 1” and fray.

Resources:

Pink silk ribbon: Marsha NealStudio. Fabric and cord covered beads: Wholeport.com. Glass link: Cindy Gimbrone. Ribbon ends: Patina Queen. Vintaj clasp: Bello Modo. Dupioni silk: Ornamentea.

Erin Siegel is a jewelry designer, beading instructor and co-author of the jewelry book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry: 50 Designs Using Leather, Ribbon and Cords. To find out more, visit her blog, Erin Siegel Jewelry.