Ruffled Party Neckalce (12674 Views)

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  Step 1 of 8

  First you will measure the length of the necklace by placing a measuring tape around your neck and letting it fall around to the collarbone. This is called the princess length in jewelry terms and should range from 17”-19”. You will then make a strip of bias tape which your ruffles will be attached to. First you will fold the fabric at one edge to a 45-degree angle. Measure and with a marking tool, mark the fabric to your specific length and add 4” to the end. Next measure and mark the width of the stripe, 1½ “ wide.

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  Step 2 of 8

  Cut out your bias strip. Fold the strip in half lengthwise, right side out and press. Open the strip and now press both raw edges in to meet at the center. Fold the strip in half again and press. Stitch closed along the edge.

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  Step 3 of 8

  Place the bias tape on top of a form and pin it together so that 2” extend out from both sides. This is where the closures will be sewn on later. Decide were you would like your necklace to lie: towards the front, towards your shoulder, or towards the back.

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  Step 4 of 8

  Cut a series of strips, differing in width and length, and hand-sew them with a basting stitch in the center. Gather the strips together to create a ruffle and make sure to keep one end unknotted so you can readjust the length of the ruffle later. Repeat with each piece.

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  Step 5 of 8

  Once you have assembled your string of ruffles, think about how you would like your necklace to lay around your neck. We made ours look a little heavier towards the front so we put the wider ruffles in one area and then decreased them in size towards the back. Hand-sew each ruffle individually by tacking down the knotted side first. Once you have tacked down the first side, space out the ruffles so they will follow the contour of the bias tape around your neck. Sew the ruffle down using the initial thread from the basting stitch on the bias tape and make sure to keep the stitches hidden.
  

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  Step 6 of 8

  Repeat the above steps with each ruffle filling up the tape. Feel free to tack down through out the ruffle to prevent it from dropping. When it is completely full it should look something like this.

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  Step 7 of 8

  Now that you have sewn on your ruffles, you are one step away from being finished. Remove the pin that you used to connect the bias tape in step 3 and mark that spot on both sides. Hand-sew a snap to each strip allowing the wearer to take the necklace on and off. Make sure the necklace lays flat around the neck without any pulling or bubbles. Turn up the edges of the strip and hand-sew them down hiding the raw unfinished edges. Your Party Necklace is now complete!

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  Step 8 of 8

  Now, dress up, tie it on, and have a fun night!