Yesterday was cotMC...code name for Craft of the Month Club...trust me..."this ain't your Mama's" craft club...this is a group of highly creative and talented artists that don't take things too seriously..there is no "Martha Stewart threat of perfection" we just like to get into the creative "flow" together and we always have lots of laughs while we are at it.
Yesterday was my turn to show up with a project and all the supplies. I had clipped this page from Style magazine a year ago that featured a cloth bead necklace by Louis Vuitton made with Liberty of London printed cottons. This lovely little necklace had a price tag of $850...seriously! The froo*gal has managed to recreate the original for under $15. The girls loved the project and we all made a fabulous necklace in about 2 hours and you don't even need to know how to sew! Supplies and instructions follow.
LV "Knock Off" Fabric Bead Necklace
Supplies:
20mm wood beads with large hole...I found these in the wood section not the bead section at JoAnn fabrics
selection of fabrics, light weight cottons work best
2 yards of twill tape or ribbon
toggle closure(optional)
glue stick
size 3 knitting needle
awl (optional but it helps)
steel yarn needle
cutting board and rotary cutter (optional)
scissors
*Cut 11 1.5 X 3 inch pieces of fabric.
*place 1 piece of fabric on a plain white sheet of printer paper and cover the fabric with glue
*place bead in the middle of the fabric and smooth the fabric facing you up and around the ball
*fold over a scant 1/4 inch on opposite short end of fabric and glue this edge
*wrap this side up and around the bead
*work each long end up and around the bead and stuff the raw ends into the hole using the awl and the knitting needle...this may take a little practice so if you mess up at first don't worry just rip the fabric off and start again with a new piece of fabric
*once all the balls are covered take the knitting needle and make sure that you can get it through the hole of each bead
*thread the yarn needle with the twill tape
*string first bead that will be at the end of the necklace 10 inches from the end of the tape and place a knot on the each side of the bead making sure that it is snug up against the bead...it helps if you put the needle into the knot and then push the knot down until it touches the bead
*move the needle to the right end of the tape put on your next bead
*when you have attached all the beads, cut the tape to the desired length and tie on toggle clasp...you could also eliminate the clasp and just leave enough tape to tie the necaklace around your neck
21 comments:
This is great.I like the black/whte one best. Thanks for the tutorial!
Love your blog, I am making the fabric covered beads for a craft class and realized you used a glue stick, not white glue! Once again, it helps to read the directions. I am a little confused about the wrapping, do you fold the one end completely over to the other end, and then 'seam' it with the folded end? I really enjoy the things you've made!
Yes, reading instructions helps!! but I must admit I usually am not good about that either!
After spreading the fabric with glue stick I set the bead right in the middle and wrap up one side then fold over a scant 1/4 inch on the other side and glue the folded edge before wrapping it around.
Keep watching my blog! In addition to the shirt makeover I have been gathering ideas and fabrics for "my Spring IT bag". I am so done with spending huge sums of money on a handbag that everyone else is carrying..I want my own!
froo*gal
Thanks - I can't wait for the bag. I am trying to expand into more adult crafts to teach people, and love your blog (I left that site and just bought a .com) I have so many fabrics and beads and things in my art room and am constantly looking for ways to use them so I will be watching.
I only seem to be able to cover a bead using about half of the amount of fabric you use, but they are very cool, thanks.
I am so new to this posting and etc and thought I had left one but it isn't here - anyway, I am having such trouble stuffing the raw ends in the bead holes! The beads in your picture even have smaller holes than mine! I have cut the length and the width of the fabric way down and still cant get it all in, it just seems to be too much fabric, even with 6" x 1.5"! Help!! Thanks :)
AHHHH....I think I just figured out what your problem is! Perhaps you have mis-read "cut 11 1.5X3 inches pieces"...let me word that differently..."cut 11 different pieces of fabric measuring 1.5X3 inches long" I am sorry I missed publishing your last comment. Please let me know if that works for you.
froo*gal
Well that makes a big difference! I am getting old and did read that wrong. I am now having trouble getting the needle through, even though the knitting needle does. Is it easier to let them dry a little? I am having to use pliers to pull the needle through!
Thanks.
Hi Diane,
Your questions are all very helpful. What seems clear to me may not always seem clear to others.
I think the method that works best is to work the knitting needle into the bead hole while the glue is wet. You need to manipulate it a bit. Also while you are working the fabric up and around the bead try and make sure that you are evenly spacing the tiny folds.
When we did this project in my craft club there were some beads that needed to have the needle pulled through with pliers. The first necklace I made I used Liberty of London fabrics which are a very fine lightweight cotton and they really seem to work the best.
Don't give up!
froo*gal
I meant threading the bead on the ribbon while the glue is dry or wet - I am working the needle in while its wet - but then what I've tucked in one end pops out when I go from the other end!!
I wont give up - I am just about finished with one, just trying to work out MY kinks in understanding so I can teach it to non crafters. Thinner fabric would definitely help!
I am enjoying your blog, and reading where you find things. My son lives near those shops I think - I may have to stop in next time I visit them!
Diane you should thread the needle with the ribbon through the bead when the glue has dried. If you work the knitting needle through the hole and twist it around to make the hole larger it will make threading the ribbon easier.
I love that Andersonville area in Chicago...great shops and restaurants, we love the Hopleaf for the mussels and huge selection of Belgian beer....also there is a great resale shop 2 doors down from Turley Road.
Thanks - I think I've got it because I wore my necklace to work today and got several compliments! And nothing has fallen off or split open - haha.
Thanks again for all your help and sticking with me!
Hey - this place has wood beads of a bunch of sizes with big (3/8") holes:
http://www.craftparts.com/beads-spools-round-beads-c-203_210.html
I finally got around to buying some so I can try this!
Hello--
I'm trying to reach you to request permission to link to your tutorial (and share a photo) for our upcoming Handmade Holidays on the Sew,Mama,Sew! blog. I couldn't find your contact information (though it is early!). Would you mind emailing so I can give you the details? We love your project and would like to share it with our readers.
Thank you!
Beth
beth(at)sewmamasew(dot)com
Love this necklace and the tut is well done too. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome! I can't wait to do some. I've linked to you on today's blog post. :o)
Oh this is fabulous-I love it! I'll be linking!
sooo cute!! love it!! I hope you have a great day!! hugs!! Britt :-)
These are great, thank you for sharing! I have already made two of them tonight (one for myself, one for a gift) and am making another tomorrow - another gift! :) My fabrics used are cotton, kind of medium weight,.. but they just take a little more poking and prodding to stuff into the hole. I don't have a knitting needle but I used the stick end of a thin paintbrush and an embroidery needle. The embroidery needle also was sufficient for threading the ribbon.
Thanks again! So far I've theoretically 'saved' $1700! ;)
Thank you so much for the necklace idea! I had no idea about what to make for my girlfriends. I just don't like the idea of giving something that was simply taken from the shelf... I like the personal touches. And I realy don't mind if it takes a bit longer to make a project. Only this time I really didn't have much time left to make something for them. This necklace came in a great moment! It's quick to make, uncomplicated, and the best: they loved it!
Super recomend it!
Manu - Brazil
cool tutorial! Here's my take on it: http://wabisabibrooklyn.com/2009/01/10-uses-for-pantyhose-necklace-transformation/
This is the BEST tutorial I have seen on how to make fabric beads for some really creative jewelry.
THANKS, and yes I'll be using this tutorial.
I'll be showing a group of ladies at our local FCE mtg this month how to make various styles of fabric beads......I am so excited to have found your blog.
D. Chapman - Watertown, TN
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