I have a large growing pile of fabric scraps. I refuse to throw them away because I am sure they can be used for something. I have been seeing different types of interesting necklaces made of buttons, beads, and fabric. Then, I figured why not make one out of my scraps…
I think it made my white shirt a little less boring. This was so quick and easy to make.
How to make a recycled scraps necklace (which is very similar to the straps on my braided tablecloth bag):
1. Take your scrap fabric, I cut a .5”-1” snip and tear the rest of the fabric down for a nice frayed edge. Used 3 different fabrics for each strand.
2. Take 3 of the torn pieces and tie the ends together with a rubber band.
3. Braid the 3 pieces together and tie ends together with rubber band when done.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 for more strands. Remember you can make the strands any length you want, if run out of fabric, just weave more into the braid.
5. Once all the strands you want are braided, gather one end of each strand together and straight stitch together with sewing machine. Repeat for the other ends of the strands. Snip off any excess.
6. Gather ends of the necklace and sew together (snip excess) or a ribbon can be sewn at the ends to be able to tie the necklace closed, but I just sewed both ends together.
7. Voila! A nice way to make use of all your lovely scraps.
Sorry if the directions get you a little lost, but it really is easy. I promise. Maybe I should put some in the shop. Please share any other good ideas you may have of things that can be made with scraps. I would love to hear (read) them!
These are amazing! You should sell them. I’m posting about them right now!
Very good idea. Are you excited about Amanda Soule’s newest book? I am!
Hello!
My name is Amanda Crabtree, and I’m the managing editor of GreenCraft, the newest magazine from the publishers of Altered Couture, Artful Blogging, and Stuffed: A Gathering of Softies. GreenCraft will featured projects that involve recycled/reused materials in a chic way. I love these necklaces you posted about today and would like to talk to you about featuring them in our premier issue. Please email me back at acrabtree [at] stampington [dot] com. I hope to hear from you soon!
Thanks,
Amanda Crabtree
acrabtree [at] stampington [dot] com
nice boob picture.
oh so cute! maybe you can make braided belts and hair thingys wiht them too!
lin- haha… you crazy!!!
Can I buy a set from you? How much would you charge? I just found out we’re going to Hawaii practically the whole month of May (not quite but at least 2.5 weeks), and I could really wear this there!!! 😉
how cute! i like it. nice colors too! they kinda remind me of those rugs.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4443836_make-braided-rugs.html
What a great idea!! They’re so pretty!
Love these! They are so pretty…
how about a jump rope from these???
Fantastic! Love them! I think they would look great as hair bands!
Hi!!! I won’t be there tonight but just a thought (oh cute neecklaces I like it i’m going to try it… when I get a chance.. and when I get scraps.. oh geez) anyway remember that necklace I showed you at anthro? You should try that with these necklaces, you know add a cakies to one side. Maybe see you sunday.
This is so pretty!!! I was just looking at necklaces on anthropologies’ website last night and some of them were over $300!!! I think it is fantastic that you are making your own!!
so cute! now i know how to use up my scrap pile! thanks for the great idea! so creative.
You should most definitely sell these darling necklaces in your shop. So CUTE!!!
Hey Ruby…
love the necklaces… not sure if you’ve already seen my scrap projects, but here are a few that I do…
I cover cardboard and make journals
http://libbydibbystuff.blogspot.com/2009/03/scrap-book-mania.html
I make draft snakes (which, incidentally, get filled with other scraps!)
http://libbydibbystuff.blogspot.com/2009/02/move-over-beanbag.html
and I make tea cozies
http://libbydibbystuff.blogspot.com/2009/03/tea-cozies-for-sale.html
and small tote bags
http://libbydibbystuff.blogspot.com/2009/01/book-bag.html
and beanbag doorstops
http://libbydibbystuff.blogspot.com/2009/01/hold-door.html
(Obviously, I have a real problem throwing my scraps away, too)
someday, you’ll have to come over and see my insanity!
ps – wear your necklace next time we meet… i can’t wait to see it!
lindas comment is so funny haahahahahaha
but HEY THOSE ARE SO CUTE! i want one long turqoise one!
Don’t want to keep rehashing the same point, but these truly are adorable. I just had to blog about them as well. If you’re not comfortable with the post, just let me know and I’ll take it down
stacy of ksw- not a problem. thanks for letting me know. is it possible to send the link as it won’t let me link. thanks!
everyone… thanks. i didn’t realize it would be such a hit. i am now trying different ways to make it. i am working on some for the shop too!
Thanks for the directions. These are really cute!
you’re too crafty and creative! I love your idea, why can’t I everthink of unique things like this to use up my scraps? You go girl!
growing up my mom had boxes of scraps she refused to throw away. now my husband and i have developed the same habit.
i love it though, i feel like they force me to be creative.
i save them so i can make something out of every last bit so each can fulfill its fabric destiny. hehe…no joke.
SOO sweet I want to use them in one of my outfits on my blog!!
Jennifer
Oh my gosh, so cute!! Great & simple idea! Seen on One Crafty Place.
Heather
Love these! I want to make before heading to the beach in a few weeks. Love the colors of your necklaces.
a wonderful idea!!!! i will have to try it because if i have something, it is scraps of fabric!
thanks!!!
I love these! I posted a similar sort of project except I used it for a headband. We must be on the same wavelength. http://heart-of-light.blogspot.com/2009/03/quick-headband.html
weird! i’ve been saving up scraps and sketching out necklaces too…a little different but the same. oh that crazy collective! 🙂
they do look pretty with the white shirt!
What a clever use for old scraps! And very wearable too. I am definitely going to try this. Thanks for the wonderful idea!
Right. That’s it. I’m making a necklace set like this to match every skirt I make from now on. Perfect!
Very nice necklaces! I have a giant box of scraps that could be turned into some of these.
P.S. I really love your shirt too! Where is it from?
Lovely! I can picture them all over the place this summer.
Gorgeous!!! I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing Blog: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-make-…-fabric-scrapstutorial-make-a-necklace-from-fabric-scraps/2009/04/06/
–Anne
Love, love, love this idea! Thanks for a great tutorial. I have seen these around and was so happy to finally find a how to.
I did a post on your tutorial on my blog http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com and it will be up tomorrow 🙂
Love it! Thanks for sharing. Very unique.
This is so clever and beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
I absolutely love this!! I’m making one today!
Brilliant!!! My daughter will love making these for herself and her friends. Thanks.
ok, i know i am crafty challenged, but i made (attempted to make) one of these necklaces today and i swear it looks like my 7-year-old made it. actually i think hers would look better.
mine is too stiff, doesn’t lay right, and i was afraid my machine wouldn’t sew through all the layers at the end so i tried ribbon…um, yeah, it looks awful.
any other tips you can think of? should i make the strips as tiny as possible? i think i stayed within your guidelines (1/2 inch to an inch) but maybe i should go smaller. i used sheets.
love your blog!
so simple – yet so stunning!
This is such a cute idea! I am posting it on my blog with al ink back to you!! Love it! You definitely should sell them for people too lazy like me. 🙂 FeeFee
http://feefeern.wordpress.com/2009/05/29/looky/
You should sell these, I would totally buy them!
hi i have been thinking about these ever since i read about them! i had some extra scraps so i made them last night. just put a link to your post!
These are so cool. What a fab idea. Definitely on my to do list in the school holidays with my daughter. She'll love them! (And I don't think your white t-ahirt is boring at all – very cute!) Karen x
These are just so cool! I'll be making tons with my daughter, who is going to just love them! As for your white t-shirt…isn't dull at all…love it! P.S. Just blogged about them too 🙂
What a WONDERFUL idea. Very Nice to meet you. I really like your way of thinking and creating.
I invite you to stop by my blog to see lovely, cute things you might enjoy.
Have a fun weekend!
Love,
Marjorie Ann (A.k.a Majeakann)
Thanks for this great tutorial, I made one last night and I love it. I took a scrap fabric and secured it around the ends to make it lay nicely on the back of my neck. Thanks again!!
Just posted the one I made on my blog with a link back to you. Thanks for the inspiration.
http://www.cocktailmom.com/2009/07/scrap-fabric-necklace.html
simple and stylish. what more could you want? x)
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing. I've put it on my blod with a link to your post.
http://rabbitandpiggie.blogspot.com/2010/03/baby-sling-ii.html
this is too cute for words – makes me weak in the knees!!
I love these! I just found them and I'm adding them to a link list I've done of great Road Trip Crafts. Thanks for the tutorial!
Hi Kristi —
I haven't made these necklaces yet, but I had a thought for “fixing” yours . . . Maybe try braiding looser next time? When I was first learning to knit, I did it way too tight, and I'd end up with lumpy washcloths. Loosening your braid may help it be a little smoother. :o)
Nancy
What super cute necklaces – you're right, they make your plain white T look amazing! I'm not much of a girly-girl and these look like the perfect (bearable) addition to my wardrobe!
Thanks!
I love this I am going to copy this and give it to my young adult librarian for a craft for our teens. Thanks for posting!!
I discover your blog last week-end and have already try this nice idea.
You can see my pictures here : http://avenue-reine-mathilde.over-blog.com/article-abracadabra-que-ce-tissus-devienne-un-collier-73696358.html
Now I have to check in your archives all the nice DIY 😉
Love this so much I blogged about it today! Thanks for sharing your wonderful idea!!! http://juliejuliet.blogspot.com/2011/05/fabric-scrap-necklace.html
Happy Tuesday! xoxo, Julie
I copied this great idea (and even do one for my mum, the French mum's day is next sunday). Thanks for the idea.
I posted my picture on my blog with a link to here.
http://avenue-reine-mathilde.over-blog.com/article-abracadabra-que-ce-tissus-devienne-un-collier-73696358.html
These are super cute. I think that I just found my next project to do with my Girl Scouts. They will LOVE this!!!
Hi!!! someone pinned this on pinterest– which is the coolest site. i am totally addicted. anyhow, i LOVE these!!! perfect for me because i work in a church nursery and always wear necklaces. and the babies are always pulling on them and trying to gnaw on the beads, etc. one baby even broke my most favorite and lucky charm necklace. boo. and of course i have yet to fix it, just have to fix the clasp. so i will be making these today! brought all my “pretty” fabric with me and will cut the strips before i take the kiddos out for their activities.
This is such a great project and I love the way it turned out. We had kind of a silly scrap post today and then we featured your cool project! 🙂 Thanks!
Monica & Jess
Yep, been doing this since I was a kid too! Lot of patterns you can do. You can just choose the right DMC thread, same one you use for cross-stitching. Great for friendship bracelets too!
Wholesale Beads
http://www.beadnshop.com
Thank you so much for posting this!! I found it through Pinterest and am making it tonight!
And I just sold all my scraps of fabric on ebay….how creative are you? Wish I still have my fabric, love this idea.
I fell in love with your necklace… I'm making some and have mentioned you on my blog. Thanks for the idea !
wow! to me, this is another way to use precious scraps. I just inherited some curtains that used to hang in my parents' bedroom. well , actually they were DRAPERIES, and I had NO USE for them. until now. I am making some of these necklaces for my daughter and myself, and even possibly my niece. All people who will recognize the fabric and treasure it now that my Mom is no longer with us. Quilts are great, but not all of us are talented to use our scraps for sewing/quilting projects. These are easier and still wonderful!!