I went to the public library the other day and was happily surprised at the size of their craft and hobby section! Using great restraint, and the fact that I had to haul the books home, I choose 3 to borrow. The first project I completed is a corded necklace from the book Fabric Jewelry 25 designs to make using silk, ribbon, buttons, and beads by Teresa Searle.

I really love statement necklaces and thought this would be a quick, simple project. Simple, yes. Quick, No. Turning the fabric into cords was the quickest part, it was the beading that took up the longest chunk of time. I used 3 different fabrics. 2 shades of green taffeta and a pear coloured silk.

After cutting the strips I twisted the fabric as I sewed it with a zig zag stitch to make the cords.

 

I learned that twisting the fabric really tightly yields the neatest looking cord. I just had to adjust the width of my zig zag stitch to fit the cord width. After all the cords were sewn I used my dress from to adjust the length and arrange the cords.

The book suggests using a paint palette to hold and sort the beads but since I didn’t have one that wasn’t already caked in acrylic I used a muffin tin. This worked better for me as it is sturdier and the wells are deeper, so i could bead while watching The Apprentice and not have to worry about losing all my beads in the couch.  I’m rooting for NeNe and Lil Jon!

 I just used beads I already had. I’m really trying to use up the stash of supplies I have before I buy more. The cords did fray a bit so while beading I did trim the fray as I went. In the end I really like the necklace. I think it’s great for a relaxed summer look and will bring a bit of pizzazz to a tank top, cut off shorts, and leather sandals.

 

 

Conclusion: Beading, like getting dressed, always takes alot longer then I think.