Bib Necklace

Once you get into making your own jewelry it seems there's no escape. As soon as you finish one necklace, bracelet, or set of earrings, an idea hits you for yet another. That's because with all the different sizes, shapes, and colors of beads, combined with string, wire, leather, or other materials, there simply is no end to the different designs you can create. But they're all basically made in the same way: you string some beads in an arrangement you fancy and add a closure to finish. But when you make a bib necklace you create an exquisite design like no other necklace.

A bib necklace, as the name suggests, is much larger than many other styles of necklaces. Made something like a bib, the necklace is large and stunning. To begin, choose a fabric like lace, chiffon, or even velvet. You can make the "bib" in any fashion that you like. Cut a large "U", a "V", or another shape, tapering the ends to form a small band that will wrap around the back of the neck.

Once the shape of the necklace has been cut from the cloth you can then set about turning it into a piece of jewelry. Strands of really tiny beads can help you do that. You can string the beads yourself or purchase strung beads at a place that sells fabric. It takes some time to sew on the beads but it's ultra-easy to do.

Fold the edges of the bib band, which goes around the back of the neck, under, and hem. Hem only to the area where the band begins to expand into the actual bib shape. Sew on a snap, Velcro, or other closure. Or, cut the band area of the bib longer to begin with, and tie the necklace on to wear.

Position a strand of beads along the bottom edge of the bib, and run it from one edge of the band to the other, along the front. Do the same to the upper side to put beads along that cut edge as well. Using a needle and thread, attach the beads to the bib to outline it.

You can do any number of designs after the outlining beads are in place. Make vertical rows of the same beads, spacing them evenly apart, to create sections on the bib. Or, create diamond shapes by arranging small strands of beads into diamond patterns. Create geometrical designs or just make a large initial, right on the front of the bib, using the same or different beads.

The beaded bib necklace is gorgeous and, although it takes a little time to sew on all those beads, the actual jewelry is easy to make and perfect for an elegant evening on the town.