I love combining things together that initially don’t seem to go together. Embroidery and jute, lace and leather, and in the case of this necklace, chiffon and chain. It kind of makes things more interesting.
I love the pairing in this necklace of the soft chiffon and the chunky chain – what do you think?
I found this necklace at Ann Taylor Loft and knew I had to recreate it. You can see the original here.
I actually found it in the store but couldn’t get a picture. Does it make anyone else feel awkward to always be snapping pictures of things in shops? I wonder what the sales people think.
I like what Donna over at Funky Junk Interiors said in a recent post. She mentioned that she wished we had blogger ID’s. Can you see me whipping out my special ID ?
“Hello sales person. Really, it’s OK, I’m a craft blogger. I’m taking a picture of this adorable but overpriced item so that I can copy it for a fraction of the cost. And I’m going to teach all my friends how to do it too. K? (insert perky head tilt here)”. No? Maybe not. Maybe I’ll just be sneaky.
Wow – enough rambling. Ready for a tutorial? This one is soooo easy. I’m talking an hour tops. Maybe two if you’re caught up in an episode of So You Think You Can Dance.
You’ll need:
- 14″ of chunky chain
- small piece of light colored chiffon
- small piece of dark colored chiffon
- 8″ tiny chain
- 48″ of black twill tape
- needle and thread
- fray check
Start with the chunky chain. If you’re working with a longer piece, just separate one of the links with small pliers and you can make sure you have 14″ of chain.
Cut 2 pieces of chiffon. Out of the lighter fabric cut a 16″ x 2″ piece. Out of the darker fabric cut a 16″ x 3″ piece.
Layer the two fabrics, with the lighter piece centered on top of the darker. Fold it in half and run a gathering stitch 1/2″ down from the fold, along the long edge. Knot the thread but don’t cut it.
Thread the chain through the loop you’ve made in the fabric, centering the gathered fabric in the middle of chain. Your gathered fabric should measure about 8 inches.
Lay the tiny chain on top of the gathering stitches and sew it down, taking small stitches through each loop of the chain and catching it in the fabric underneath. (You could also add a row of rhinestones or some other trim here.)
Cut the twill tape into 2 – 24″ pieces. Thread one end of tape through the end loop of the chain and knot it. Repeat with the other side. On the reverse side of the tape, fold the short ends in and with tiny stitches, sew down the end.
In the sewing process your chiffon will have frayed a bit, which is all good. But if it’s gotten a little out of hand, trim the threads. Apply fray check to the ends of all the fabric and the ends of your twill tape ties.
That’s it! So easy huh? I love how it dresses up a simple white T-shirt.
I’m really getting into these new necklace styles – so casual and fun. I hope you like them too!
Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe says
Super cute! I love the simplicity and how easy these are to make. I made one several months ago with crinkled white chiffon. Easy peasy! But I’m really loving your two tone look. So pretty!
Ingrid says
love it! i have tons of chiffon laying around from making flowers so i will be making some of these!
Debby Messner says
I can’t believe how you see something and recreate it. I like this alot.
Becky says
Cute cute cute…I want one. Another great project!
Phoenix Peacock says
I want one! Oh my… I need to go buy materials!
Housewife Bliss says
wow, such talent! Another fab project, you make it look easy, but I am sure if I did that i would need to have you on standby. Thanks for sharing.
Eve says
This is absolutely beautiful! I know what you mean about taking pictures in stores, you put it in such a funny way!
Lovely blog!! Plz come visit me too!
EvesHouse.blogspot.com
Mandi says
Haha I do the same thing, I see a piece of jewelry and like examine it to find out how they put it together I have on more than one occasion received strange looks from people. You did a great job!
http://www.MandiPandiDesigns.blogspot.com
Aubree says
So cute! I love it!
Alison says
This is absolutely GORGEOUS!! Love it…. and thank you for this awesome tutorial! Have a great weekend, my friend!
Mandy [Mandy's Yellow Corner] says
Very cute!! Thanks for sharing!
Tanyia says
Stopping by from the Under the table and dreaming Sunday Showcase, great project! :)
Here is mine if you want to stop by :)
http://xsurvivingmotherhoodx.blogspot.com/2010/07/upcycled-jeans-to-plastic-bag-holder.html
Rose from FineCraftGuild dot com says
super cool & creative. well, you deserve an invite:
come link your tutorial up with us so our readers can find you:
http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-tutorial-linky-party-7/
(new party, every wednesday, findable from the home page)
we love to feature you,
Tyne says
I love it. I’ve done something similar awhile back.
http://tynebodennecklaces.blogspot.com/2010/06/little-bitty-pretty-one.html
Sassy Sites says
CUTE!!! I love your blog! Great ideas! I am your newest follower. Stop by Sassy Sites and say HI! :)
Rachelle says
Wow that is so beautiful! Love it!
Rachel says
That is so cute! I love the blue and black. Thanks so much for the darling accessory, I’ll be linking.
{Rebekah} All Thingz Related says
Very pretty! We appreciate you joining us this week at Anything Related!
{Rebekah}
Tea Rose Home says
Very pretty! I love the color combinations. Thank you for visiting my link party!
fashionnecklaces says
What a inspiring idea to make necklaces! I like this creative think!
Kathy R says
Usually I’m with a friend when I am shopping for inspirations and this is what we do (only works with girlfriends-guys are too shy to pul this off)…If I see something I have to get a pic of I loudly exclaim to my friend “Oh would you look at this! I just know Sarah would love it, I’m going to send her a pic so she can come get it!” Sales people always fall for it. However I only do this in a regular store where things are mass produced. A boutique or consignment store is off limits (for me) for pics. I sell in smaller stores myself and know I wouldn’t want someone ripping off one of my designs. That being said we can find inspiration everywhere…