Silk & Organza Necklaces

I have a couple of friends who celebrate birthdays tomorrow, and this year I knew just what I wanted to give them: Fabric covered necklaces as seen on You Can Make This.



For Christy: red silk with an organza flower.

.

For Tania: larger beads covered in champagne silk.

.

And a bonus for me: small grey velvet beads covered in sheer navy organza.

I loved how they turned out and made copies of the *Christy* and the *Tania* for myself, but somehow I'm going to have to suppress an urge to apologize for them when the gifts are opened. It has been a long time since I gave a hand-made gift, and I had forgotten about the insecurities that sometimes are coupled with giving something I've created.

As for the tutorial, just a couple of notes:

• Haven't the fabric world and the fashion world always gone hand in hand?
• I think Kim, the expert in the video, looks like Marie Osmond. But you won't now that I've mentioned it.
• I don't think any fabric will do, I think you have to use fancy fabric.
• She says to use a fabric width of 45" but she really means 60". Trust me, 45" won't be long enough.
• Place your first bead in the very center, not to the side of the pin which is in the center. Still use a pin to secure one side of the first bead, but not until after you've placed the bead.
• I knotted the unfinished ends at the edge of the selvage - I liked that look better than sewing the ends closed.
• I gathered the wired ribbon from both ends and then wired the organza ribbon flower on to the necklace with the raw wire pulled outside the flower so that it is fastened well, but can be removed.
• A totally worthwhile project!