fabric bead necklace

Following this tutorial here, this is my first attempt at a fabric knot bead necklace.

I used a fat quarter of Japanese fabric, cut into four strips and sewn together in one long strip. This makes a necklace slightly longer than choker style. Note you need twice+ the fabric for the finished length of the necklace as the knotting takes up a lot of fabric. Then, right sides together, sewed it into a tube, turned right side out, dropped in some wooden beads and knotted in between. Make sure the knotting is tight up against each bead (trickier than it sounds).

Easy peasy Japanesey. 

Although I'm fairly happy with this first attempt, I need to make another one to properly measure the fabric for the size of the beads I used as I think the material looks too scrunchy around each bead. I also need to take a bit more time with the knots so they are a bit, well, 'nicer'. (I tend to get all excited about a craft project that comes so quickly together and don't pay as much attention as I should!) I also need to leave more material at each end so I have longer ties at the ends to secure around my neck.

I have some even-more-lovely larger wooden beads so I'll give them a go in another version soon.

For another version see this tutorial over at froogal.  And here's one made with a scarf.