Fabric Covered Bead Necklace

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  Step 1

  STEP 1: Make a 4.5″ x 90″ strip of fabric.

  For me, this involved cutting two 4.5″x45″ strips into a fabric bolt and sewing them together.

  To cut the fabric, I used a long ruler and a craft knife over a piece of plywood. However, for safety reasons, I recommend using fabric scissors.

  Before sewing the 2 strips together, I overlapped them by about an inch.

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  Step 2

  STEP 2: Shape the strip of fabric into a tube shape.

  Fold the fabric strip in half lengthwise and sew the long edges together. Try to sew small stitches for a more secure seam. This is easy to accomplish but time consuming, a sewing machine would have helped.

  VERY IMPORTANT: the "good" side of the fabric goes inside the tube.

  Once done with sewing, turn the tube inside out with a loop turner or a paper clip.

  The paper clip method: Start by solidly anchoring the paper clip to one end of the tube. Then, just slid the clip through the tube from one end to the other. The tube will turn inside out very easily.

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  Step 3

  STEP 3: Slide in the spun cotton balls and tie the knots.

  Tie a first knot where the two strips of fabric meet. Try to hide the seem.

  Slide a ball down one end of the tube until it reaches the middle of the necklace. Twist the fabric to push the ball as close to the middle as possible and tie a simple knot.

  Slide a second ball down the other end of the tube, twist the fabric and tie a new knot.

  Do the same with all the balls or until the desired necklace length has been reached.

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  Step 4

  STEP 4: The finishing touches

  For the endings to look nice, fold the fabric to create a 45 degree angle. Sew along the edges.

  Iron your fabric covered bead necklace on low heat to remove all the wrinkles.

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Penny F. · North Bay, Ontario, CA · 19 projects 19th January 2014

Could probably do this with small foam balls for the same lightweight feel?
This looks very interesting! I would have to make it by hand as I don't have the skills to use my sewing machine yet... Need to take some lessons..

MrSpunny · San Diego, California, US · 1 project 19th January 2014

Hi Penny, I did it by hand too, it is time consuming but worth it in the end. I am sure foam balls would work too but I find that they tend to crumble and make a little bit of a mess. Note that I have a sewing machine at home now and it has been a life changer. So fast and so easy to use. The learning curve was very quick. Good luck!

Penny F. · North Bay, Ontario, CA · 19 projects 22nd January 2014

I have a sewing machine too, but am having a bit of difficulty trying to use it. I need to probably have a quick lesson with someone again about it... Ah yeah I never thought about the foam balls crumbling so it wouldn't probably be a lasting option either..

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