Fabric Covered Bead Necklace / Stenciled Jewelry

Good morning crafty friends! I am up today with a SUPER easy project that you can make for yourself or create as a lovely & unique gift…

using a GREAT stencil from The Crafters Workshop of course!Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue Carroll

Being a Mimi & a great (old) Auntie, I’m always on the lookout for the latest “baby finds.”

When my nieces both had their first born a few years ago, I found these cute necklace teethers from Smart Mom.

smartmomteethingring

They come in every color and are simple and sleek…but, lately I have been intrigued by                            fabric covered bead teether’s…I even like them …teething aside!

So…I decided to make one creating my own fabric with TCW stencils:)

                                       NOTE: due to my product choices (spray ink),                                         this should not be utilized as a teether 

The stencil I chose is below

TCW421Navaho

Other things you will need:

Bleached Muslin (I used a 36″ strip 3″ wide) 1/4″-1/2″ seam allowance

NOTE: you will need to adjust your fabric strip size according to the size bead you use and the length you want your finished necklace to be.

Dylusions Spray Ink (London Blue)

Round Beads (varying sizes)

Hoop Earring  (I used one that lost it’s mate!)

Swivel Lobster Clasp

                                                     Lg. and Sm. Jump Rings                                                           (Also dependent on size of bead you choose)

Fine lined permanent ink pen (I used a Pitt multi liner F)

Sewing Machine 

I purchased bleached muslin on sale (50% off!)

I bought plenty for future projects (6 yds. for $12) at Jo-Ann’s 🙂

To get started, cut your strip of muslin. (36″ or longer & 3″wide depending on the bead size you desire…)

TO DECIDE WIDTH…FOLD your fabric in half pinch closed with your finger and see if you can fit your largest bead inside-cut your strip, remembering to add 1/4 – 1/2″ seam allowance )

FYI- there are LOTS of tutorials out there for these bead covered necklaces, including teethers. If you would like to see an example of how one is made by TYING KNOTS in between each bead instead of using jump rings go here🙂

Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue Carroll

This could not have been easier…Place stencil on fabric strip & “spritz” with the ink spray, before lifting the stencil off, roll over it with a roll of paper towels, and then move up the strip repeating the process until you’ve reached the end of your fabric piece.

Rolling over the stencil with the towel roll before moving it will help prevent some bleeding, and will keep your stencil free from ink build up as you go.  The ink dries very fast.

Remember, these inks are not completely water resistant, so no washing or baby biting:)

To set the color further, iron your stenciled strip on the highest setting, with a thin towel (or separate piece of fabric) in between stenciled piece and iron.

Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue CarrollOnce I stenciled the whole strip, I outlined the print with a permanent Pitt pen. This step isn’t necessary, but adds a bit more detail that I like.

And yes, it does take awhile, but I find it relaxing…I listen to audiobooks:)

I just finished “If I Stay” soon to come out in the theaters:)

Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue CarrollNext, fold the fabric in half, right sides together, and sew a seam down the long side.Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue CarrollTo turn the tube right side out, fasten a large safety pin to the end, (make sure you only place pin through the top side and not all the way through) and then “work” the pin through the middle, gathering the fabric and pushing the pin, until it comes out the other side, and pull.  Iron the tube with the seam in the middle of the “back”.

Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue Carroll

Now you are ready to place the beads on the inside of your finished “tube”

I used 2 sizes (one larger than the other), although it’s a very subtle difference. Any beads will do since you will be covering them with fabric.

Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue CarrollFold your tube in half and tie a knot on one end. (The photo above is after both sides have beads added-with finished ties)

Pull the “unknotted” end through a small jump ring and push the jump ring down towards the center of the tube.  Leave about 2 inches of tube empty on either side of the middle of the whole tube. I just kept “eyeballing it” by folding in half while matching ends side by side. (The empty section will be the part of the tube that is looped around the “earring pendant.”

Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue CarrollTo add the “earring” pendant, simply use a slip knot.

Alternate ring, Lg. Bead, ring, Sm. Bead, ring, etc. until you reach the end, leaving at least 2 inches after your final knot to sew on Lg. Jump ring and clasp. Before you cut the excess of your ends, place around your neck to determine your desired length.

(Keep adding beads until you reach desired length, taking into consideration the 2 inches beyond the final end knot to add Lg. jump rings and clasp)

Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue CarrollOnce you knot the end and cut off excess, push the raw ends in toward the middle with your “ink stained” finger. (hee hee)Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue Carroll Make 2 snips with scissors and insert the Lg. Jump ring. Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue Carroll Tuck in all loose sides, and sew across the top of the tube end to secure jump ring. (Do this on both ends.Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue Carroll Add the swivel clasp. Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue Carroll Fabric Covered Bead Necklace/ Sue Carroll

I think these are super cute, and I loved finding a use for this old earring that had no mate.  You can do this technique without a center pendant…still adorable.

Hope you feel inspired to make your own, using one of the MANY great TCW stencils!!!

It’s a joy to share with you!

‘Til next time,

Sue

sue's signature

The Crafters Workshop Design Team Member

 

 

 

4 thoughts on “Fabric Covered Bead Necklace / Stenciled Jewelry

Leave a Reply to SannaCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.