Jewelled gifts

 

The weather today is mostly cool with a lot of cloud cover. It looks like it will rain but doesnt' seem to be getting any where to do it. Meanwhile I'm working on Christmas presents. This is a scarf I picked up at the thrift store for 50 cents. It was still in the packet and the packet declared it was a free magazine gift. I intend to add a beaded fringe and some ribbon embroidered roses on either end. Making your own beaded fringe is easy and a lot cheaper (mostly) than buying store brought beaded fringe. Glass beads are always nice but expensive. The next best thing is the acrylic look glass beads which I used here.

 

To make a simple beaded fringe:

You will need enough packets of beads to finish the edging. I needed about four packets.

Sewing thread or beading thread. Sewing thread works just fine.

A beading needle or needle thin enough to go through the holes of your beads.

 

Start at the corner of your edging and bring the needle up through the fabric. String your beads onto your thread. Work out what kind of beaded arrangement you would like. I used five beads. At first I thought I'd do random but I ended up alternating orange, green, orange.

 

Bring your needle up again into the next space (I measured how far apart this space should be using the machine stitches on the hem) Pull the thread to make a loop. I also did a couple of more little stitches to tighten it. Then right next to those stitches start your next loop. Start as close as you can to the last stitches by bringing your needed up and add your beads. Continue until you are done.

 

I used the sewing machinge stitches to space my beads. I counted five stitches across. If you make your own beaded trim you can buy enough beads to make earings and necklaces to match.

 

I hope everyone is having a good day or evening wherever they are.