March 25, 2009

recycled scraps

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...
braided necklace
braided necklace
braided necklace
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!

68 comments:

  1. These are amazing! You should sell them. I'm posting about them right now!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very good idea. Are you excited about Amanda Soule's newest book? I am!

    ReplyDelete
  3. 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

    ReplyDelete
  4. oh so cute! maybe you can make braided belts and hair thingys wiht them too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. 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!!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. 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

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a great idea!! They're so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  8. how about a jump rope from these???

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fantastic! Love them! I think they would look great as hair bands!

    ReplyDelete
  10. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  11. 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!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. so cute! now i know how to use up my scrap pile! thanks for the great idea! so creative.

    ReplyDelete
  13. You should most definitely sell these darling necklaces in your shop. So CUTE!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  15. ps - wear your necklace next time we meet... i can't wait to see it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. lindas comment is so funny haahahahahaha

    but HEY THOSE ARE SO CUTE! i want one long turqoise one!

    ReplyDelete
  17. 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

    ReplyDelete
  18. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for the directions. These are really cute!

    ReplyDelete
  20. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  21. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  22. SOO sweet I want to use them in one of my outfits on my blog!!
    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh my gosh, so cute!! Great & simple idea! Seen on One Crafty Place.

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love these! I want to make before heading to the beach in a few weeks. Love the colors of your necklaces.

    ReplyDelete
  25. a wonderful idea!!!! i will have to try it because if i have something, it is scraps of fabric!
    thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. 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

    ReplyDelete
  27. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a clever use for old scraps! And very wearable too. I am definitely going to try this. Thanks for the wonderful idea!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Right. That's it. I'm making a necklace set like this to match every skirt I make from now on. Perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  30. 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?

    ReplyDelete
  31. Lovely! I can picture them all over the place this summer.

    ReplyDelete
  32. 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

    ReplyDelete
  33. 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 www.luvinthemommyhood.com and it will be up tomorrow :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Love it! Thanks for sharing. Very unique.

    ReplyDelete
  35. This is so clever and beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I absolutely love this!! I'm making one today!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Brilliant!!! My daughter will love making these for herself and her friends. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  38. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  39. 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/

    ReplyDelete
  40. You should sell these, I would totally buy them!

    ReplyDelete
  41. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  42. 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

    ReplyDelete
  43. 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 :-)

    ReplyDelete
  44. 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)

    ReplyDelete
  45. 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!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. 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

    ReplyDelete
  47. simple and stylish. what more could you want? x)

    ReplyDelete
  48. 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

    ReplyDelete
  49. this is too cute for words - makes me weak in the knees!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  51. 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

    ReplyDelete
  52. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  53. 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!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. 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 ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  55. 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

    ReplyDelete
  56. 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

    ReplyDelete
  57. These are super cute. I think that I just found my next project to do with my Girl Scouts. They will LOVE this!!!

    ReplyDelete
  58. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  59. 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

    ReplyDelete
  60. 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

    ReplyDelete
  61. Thank you so much for posting this!! I found it through Pinterest and am making it tonight!

    ReplyDelete
  62. And I just sold all my scraps of fabric on ebay....how creative are you? Wish I still have my fabric, love this idea.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I fell in love with your necklace... I'm making some and have mentioned you on my blog. Thanks for the idea !

    ReplyDelete
  64. 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!!

    ReplyDelete

hello friends!

thank you for leaving a comment! i might not be able to respond to every comment or email, but please know every single one is special to us...

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...