Beaded Bracelet or Necklace Project
Skill Level: Easy
You can make this bracelet or necklace in less than 2 hours. The basic fringe technique offers many variations for different looks. If you can sew on a button you can do this with no problem. Here is a photo of the finished bracelet.
If you have a problem printing this let me know. I will email you the file as an attachment that will print correctly.
Supplies List (prices indicate the item can be ordered from Beads by Mail):
- 2 colors of size 6/0 seed beads, purple iris & amethyst ($6.00)
- Selection of accent beads for fringe: 6mm fire polish rounds, leaves, 4mm fire polish in suitable colorways ($8.00)
- Rose pendant, vintage pressed glass ($1.99 each)
- KIT with beads, 2 rose pendants, sterling toggle clasp, sterling crimps, & Beadalon $22.00
- Needle: J & P Coats sharp size 5/10
- Thread: Coats Upholstery thread or jean thread (dark green was used)
- Small button ½” or 5/8” with a shank (not sew through)
- Scissors
- Needle nose pliers ($10.00)
- Bead board ($10.00)
- Ruler
- Clear tape
- Krazy glue, epoxy, etc.
Make it easy to do this project by assembling your supplies first. Sort the beads by color & size so you can pick them up quickly. The bead board organizes everything in one place, and you can use the ruler markings to measure lengths. You can also preview the design by laying it out on the bead board before you start. Excellent lighting is very important! You need a good view of your work to avoid errors, and you need to judge color combinations and count.
Size 6/0 seed beads are wonderful for beading projects since they have large holes so thread can pass through several times easily. Yet they are small enough so you can create interesting detail. You can use an ordinary sewing needle that is easy to thread, and strong thread that won’t fray or break. With my poor eyesight I prefer not to be fussing with tiny seed beads.
If you have trouble printing these instructions, send an email to janey@beadsbymail.com & I will send you the printable file.
Step 1 Foundation & button loop
- Decide the length of the bracelet. You will add more beads for the button loop.
- Let’s assume you are making a 7 inch bracelet, which is a standard bracelet size. Thread your needle with about 4 feet of thread. No need to knot an end. You will use the thread single.
- String 7 inches of 6/0 seed beads. Slide them to within 3” of the cut end of the thread. Put a small piece of tape close to the first bead, around the thread, to keep the beads from falling off. This is the foundation row. You will need that 3” of empty thread soon so don’t cut it.
- You need to determine how many beads are needed to make a loop of beads that will hold your button snugly, not too tight or loose. I added twenty 6/0 beads for a 5/8” button. String these beads, slide them down to the foundation row, and go through them twice more to strengthen the loop. Make sure the loop can pass easily over the button. (See blurry photo below.)
- When you come out of the loop, pass the needle back through the original foundation row to the other end.
Step 2 Attach the button
- Your needle should be at the starting end of the foundation row. Start sewing on the button,
catching 2 of the beads at the end of the foundation row and going through the shank about 4 or 5 times.
This should be enough to hold the button securely. Always sew through the 2 beads and the shank. Pull the thread snug after each stitch.
- Test that the loop will fit over the button and that the bracelet fits YOU or the person for whom you are creating it. (Don’t let the needle fall off the thread …) At this point, you have a bracelet, although it is pretty plain.
- Remove the tape. Using the 3” tail and the main thread, tie several square knots close to the shank of the button. Apply a small amount of glue to the knots & let dry. (You can also apply glue after the fringe is done.)
Step 3 Add the Fringe Pieces
- Pass the needle back through the foundation row (toward the loop end) so you come out about 2 or 3 beads away from the button. Pick up a selection of several accent beads, pass needle through, and slide them down to the foundation row. Each fringe should end with a smaller bead if possible. Take a look at the fringe to make sure you like the size and color combinations.
- Skip the last bead on the fringe. Go back through the other beads on the fringe and come out at the foundation row. Snug the fringe beads up close to the foundation row. You may have to fiddle with the thread to get the beads close. Don’t pull too tight or the fringe won’t lie flat. This is your first fringe. All fringes are made the same way. When ending fringe with a pendant type piece, just go back up through the beads above the pendant (see photo of finished bracelet above).
- Spacing is important. The number of foundation beads you go through before making the next fringe determines how loose or crowded the fringe will be. I sewed through 3 or 4 foundation beads before adding the next fringe. The closer the fringe, the more likely it is to “pop” away from your wrist when you wear the bracelet. You may prefer this. You can always add fringe later, but it is not a good idea to cut fringe off after the bracelet is finished.
- Continue adding fringe. Vary the lengths of the fringe, but keep to about one inch-an inch and a half on the longest ones. Refer to the photo of the finished bracelet at the top of the page.
Adding the first fringe pieces.
Step 4 Finishing
When you have filled the foundation row with fringe and you like what you have created, sew through the loop beads once more, then sew back through about half the foundation row beads (not the fringe) to anchor the thread. You can also tie a couple of half hitches around the foundation thread for more security. Cut the thread. Don’t forget to put a small amount of glue on the knots under the button. Now you can trim the short tail remaining at the button end. Enjoy your original creation!
Note: what to do when you come to the end of your thread
You will probably need to rethread your needle at some point. When you have about 6” left of the old thread, weave it back & forth through the work you already did. Then start a new thread and weave it back and forth to secure it. Then continue. If you are manic you can add a drop of glue to the spot where the old & new threads ended.Bead Fringed Necklace
Supplies List for a Necklace (in addition to bracelet list)-these are all included in the KIT listed above (except the teapot toggle).
- Beadalon 7-strand one 30-foot spool ($5.00)
- Sterling teapot toggle clasp ($6.50) or …
- Economy sterling toggle clasp (2 for $2.75)
- 2 sterling crimps for each necklace (10 for $1.50)
You can adapt the same technique to make a necklace. It is attractive to center the fringe on the necklace rather than continue fringing the entire necklace-easier to wear. For the necklace we strung the foundation row on Beadalon (professional stringing wire) and used a sterling toggle clasp shaped like a teapot and spoon. Determine the length of the necklace and cut the Beadalon about 8 inches longer. Thread the wire through a crimp, through the loop on the toggle, and back through the crimp. Slide the crimp close to the toggle. Leave a tail of about 2".
After completing the foundation row, slide beads down to the clasp end. Bury the short end of the wire inside the beads. Attach the other part of the toggle clasp with a crimp. Snug it down so there is no naked cord visible, and the beads lie flat without kinking. Then thread your needle with upholstery or jeans thread, tie one end to the loop of the clasp, and pass through about 1/3 of the foundation beads before starting to add fringe. The example necklace was made with 4mm Czech fire polish beads and 4mm Austrian crystals in topaz for the foundation row. The fringe hangs from the middle third of the foundation row.
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