How to Make Fabric Jewelry

Fabric scraps have many creative uses if you use your imagination. One interesting use for small bits of fabric is making fabric beads, from which you then can make jewelry. You can incorporate these beads into beautiful fabric jewelry that is sure to earn you compliments.

Things You'll Need

• Small pieces of fabric
• Scissors
• Fabric stiffener
• Pencils
• Plastic bowl
• Clear nail polish
• Tape measure
• Rattail cord
• Crimps and clasp
• Hypo cement
• Needlenose pliers

Instructions

Make the Fabric Beads

1. Cut your small fabric pieces into long triangles or rectangles.

2. Pour some fabric stiffener into the plastic bowl. Dip a cut piece of fabric into the fabric stiffener to coat it completely.

3. Carefully wring out the fabric above the bowl to remove excess fabric stiffener.

4. Roll the wet fabric piece around the pencil. If you're rolling a triangle shape, begin rolling from the widest edge of the triangle. Roll rectangles beginning with either short edge. Roll until the entire fabric piece is rolled around the pencil.

5. Repeat Steps 2, 3 and 4 to make as many beads as desired. Experiment with different widths and lengths to see what kinds of beads you end up with.

6. Let the beads dry for approximately 24 hours. Make sure they are rock hard before proceeding to the next step.

7. Remove the beads from the pencils.

8. Brush a coat of clear nail polish onto each bead. Allow the nail polish to dry and brush a second coat onto the beads. Make sure the nail polish is completely dry before proceeding to the next step.

Make the Fabric Beads into Jewelry

1. Measure the desired length for a necklace or bracelet. Add 1 inch to this measurement.

2. Cut the rattail cord to the length determined in Step 1.

3. Plan out the order of your beads for your fabric bead jewelry piece.

4. String the fabric beads onto the rattail cord according to your design.

5. Make sure the length of your bracelet or necklace is correct when the beads have been strung according to your design. Trim off excess rattail cording.

6. Place a small amount of hypo cement onto each end of the rattail cord and slip a crimp onto each. Allow the cement to dry completely before proceeding with the next step.

7. Attach a clasp to each crimp with the needlenose pliers to finish the necklace or bracelet.

Resources

• Fabric Stiffener
• Rattail Cord
• Crimps and Clasp
• Hypo Cement