To Make a Necklace

1. The strip of material is folded lengthways, right sides together, and hemmed down the open long edge. The two short ends are left open, creating a fabric tube.

2. The fabric is turned inside out so the seam is inside the tube.

3. The first bead is pushed into the tube and held in place at the middle point of the material. A knot is tied in the fabric on each side of the bead. Before tightening the knots fully, a final check is made to ensure the bead is still sitting halfway along the tube.

4. This first bead sits at the bottom of the necklace when worn, with subsequent beads added alternately either side of the middle bead. A firm knot is tied between each and a final knot after each of the end beads. 5. The raw edges at both ends of the fabric are tucked in by ½cm and the ribbon laid flat against one side. The tube is then folded over the ribbon enclosing it in the fabric.

6. The ends of the tube are sewn neatly, trapping the ribbon between the folded fabric. Stitching down the open edge of the folded fabric for ¾in (2cm) ensures a neat finish that will sit flat when the necklace is worn.

7. To prevent the ribbon from fraying, the cut ends are folded over twice by ½cm and sewn neatly in place.

8. When wearing the necklace, the ribbon is tied in a bow so the beads sit at the desired length.

“I’ll give my jewels for a set of beads” William shakespeare