How to Make a Beaded Ribbon Bookmark

A bookmark with a fringe of pretty beads not only marks the place in your book, but also shows that the reader feels that the time taken out of daily life to read is worthwhile and valuable. However, while a beaded bookmark stresses the value of the written word and the time the reader spends reading the book, the reader need not spend a fortune to buy a beautiful bookmark. A beaded bookmark is easy to make and can be customized to fit any book.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ribbon
• Seed beads or "e" beads
• Various larger accent beads
• Large focal bead
• Thread
• Needle
• Scissors

Making the Bead Fringes

1. Cut the ribbon to the desired length with 1/4 inch extra for the hem seams (1/8 inch for each hem). Fold the bottom edge of the ribbon over twice so that the raw edge is inside the hem. Thread the needle with a doubled length of thread and knot the end.

2. Make the bottom fringe first. Run the thread under the fold to hide the knot, and take one stitch along the edge of the ribbon, allowing the thread to exit on the top side of the bookmark. Thread beads onto the needle. When there are enough beads to make a long looped fringe, pull the needle through the bookmark hem from top to bottom.

3. Make a tiny stitch and come up next to the first length of fringe and make a second fringe. Proceed until the entire bottom of the bookmark is fringed.

4. If you desire additional fullness in your fringe, add a second layer of fringe directly above the first layer. Once you have finished the fringe, knot the thread on the back of the bookmark hem and cut.

5. To make the top fringe, follow Steps 1 through 4.

Adding Accent and Focal Beads

6. Secure the knot on the backside of the bookmark hiding it inside the hem. Make a tiny stitch and pull the needle up through the ribbon to the top side of the bookmark along the left edge of the ribbon. Thread a few smaller beads and some accent beads on the needle. Thread a seed bead on the needle and then proceed to thread the needle back through the accent beads and seed beads. Run the thread through the ribbon and exit on the backside of the bookmark.

7. Take a hidden stitch through the hem all the way to the right edge of the ribbon. Duplicate the accent bead string from the left edge of the ribbon. Knot the thread on the back of the bookmark hem and cut.

8. Run a knotted thread to the front of the ribbon at the center of the ribbon. Thread seed beads and accent beads on the thread ending with your focal bead. Thread a seed bead on the needle and then proceed to thread the needle back through the focal bead, accent beads and seed beads. Run the thread through the ribbon and exit on the backside of the bookmark. Knot the thread on the back of the bookmark hem and cut.

Tips & Warnings

• Grosgrain ribbon is easiest to work with when making these bookmarks.