Fabric Necklace

Recycle and old favourite dress or shirt into an accessory you could wear daily.  I made mine from old dresses of my mom.  It doesn’t matter if the dress or clothes are a bit damaged, because you only need a thin long strip of material.  Let’s start!

Material:  fabric, batting, wood/plastic bead(s), needle, thread

Optional: ribbon, chain, chopstick


How to:
1.     Measure and cut the fabric in a long strip.  Measure the width to be +- 10 cm.  The length depends on how long you want the necklace to be.  To be on the safe side, measure the length of fabric to be 2 x intended necklace length.

2.    Fold the strip along the length, with the good side inside (facing each other).

3.    Sew along the edge.

4.    After you finish sewing, turn it inside out, so that it makes a tube with the good side of the fabric outside.  You can use chopstick or safety pin to help you turn the tube.

5.    Define the middle of the tube, and insert a bead inside.

6.    Make a knot each on the left and right side of bead.

 7.    Continue filling in the left and the right side of the first knot with batting or beads.  Don’t forget to make a knot after you put each filling inside.  Beads will make the necklace hang low, while batting will make it light and loose, your choice.

8.    There are some variations to finish the necklace:
(a)    You can fill in + knot all around the tube, until it’s all filled and tied.  When you finish, join the ends and sew.

(b)    You can stop filling + knotting after a certain number, and sew the ends of the tubes together.

(c)    You can stop filling + knotting after a certain number, give a little extra space, then cut the tube on both ends.  Finish/sew the ends separately. 

 You can then join this piece with a length or ribbon or chain of your choice.

  9.     Wear it proudly!