DIY Necklace

Here's how to make a necklace with an old 'pearl' necklace, knots and only a bit of sewing.

Materials:

1. 'Pearls': At a recent swap party, I picked up a 'pearl' necklace (see pic below). You can use plain round wood balls from any bead store. I used 10 plus one for the 'clasp' at the back but you might like to make your necklace longer or shorter depending on the size of your balls (pardon the pun!).

2. Bias strip in your favourite bold colour: I picked purple raw silk - it was strong but thin enough to be knotted comfortably. I measured the width of my material to be enough to completely cover the 'pearls' at least one and half times over. Mine measured roughly 8cm x 50cm. Each knot take up a bit of material so if you're running a bit short in the length like I did, I hand sewed an extra bit of bias strip.

3. Needle and thread.

Step one: Leave about 10 to 15cms between the edge and your first knot. Later, this end will need to be either a 'loop end' or 'pearl end'.

Step two: Put the 'pearl' within the folds of the material and close to the previous knot, then fold completely and knot again. (Tip: I tri-folded the fabric then did a knot which helps to slide the 'pearl' into the folds.) Do this for all 10 or so 'pearls'.

Step three:

a) Loop end: Fold the outer edges of the whole strip towards the middle of the strip until you have a thin string then hand stitch together. Create a loop at the end just big enough to fit the 'pearl' attached to the other end. Attach to the string.

b) 'Pearl' end: Create the same thin string, but this time, put a 'pearl' into the end about 4cms from the end, then fold fabric over the 'pearl', twist the fabric onto the string then sew down.

Deenie