No sewing is needed! Learn to braid fabric into a necklace full of charm and style. Create unique, wearable art from scraps!
Want to make a cute accessory that’s both stylish and eco-friendly?
This no-sew braided fabric necklace is the perfect answer!
It's not only a fantastic way to add a handmade touch to your wardrobe but also to use up those leftover fabric scraps from other projects.
Let’s create a fun and fashionable piece you can wear proudly—or even gift to a friend.
Braid Fabric Strips
Begin by selecting the fabrics.
Using scraps doesn't necessarily mean that all the fabrics will match perfectly, but you'll be surprised how well the necklace looks when finished.
Instead of cutting the fabric into strips, simply tear your fabric into strips.
Find the longest side of the piece of fabric, snip about an inch in about 1 inch, and then tear it down the rest of the length of the fabric.
Long strips work best, but they can be tied together if needed.
Braid 3 strips of fabric together to make one rope. I found it easiest to use a binder clip to hold the ends together while I braided.
The necklace can be as long or as short as you want.
I braided three ropes and increased the length of each by two inches.
I would have liked the difference in length to be bigger, but play around with it and see what you like best.
Make the Necklace
Align the ends of the 3 braided ropes and hot glue them together.
Do this to both ends.
Bring the two ends together and attach them with hot glue. It's okay if it's not pretty.
Cut a small rectangle out of a matching piece of scrap fabric to cover the place where the two ends were brought together.
Glue the sides to create a hem to keep the fabric from fraying.
Secure the strip around that seam with hot glue.
That looks much better.
The necklace can be done at this point, but I added a fabric flower to cover that section a little more.
Fabric Flower
Use a couple of matching fabric scraps big enough to cut the flower shapes out.
I used a Big Shot to cut the flower shapes, they could also be hand-cut.
Layer the flower shapes on top of each other, with the largest on the bottom and the smallest on top, securing each layer with a dot of hot glue.
To finish the flower, glue a half-pearl embellishment to the center of the flower.
Hot glue the finished flower to the strip of fabric covering the joining seam, and my braided necklace is ready to wear out on the town!
Inspiration
I found this DIY jewelry idea on the blog Smaller. I loved how her necklace looked, so I made my own craft tutorial with a few minor adjustments.
Jewelry Making Essentials
- Jewelry Pliers are a necessity when it comes to jewelry making.
- Good quality Jump Rings are a necessity in many different sizes and metals.
- A Non-slip Bead Mat keeps your beads, findings, and tools in front of you without rolling away!
- The more you DIY Jewelry, the more little beads and things you will accumulate. Keep them organized with Plastic Organizer Containers.
Hydrangeas and Harmony
Super cute! I have so much scrap fabric that I just can't bear to part with... this would be a great way to use it. TFS
Confessions of a Stay at Home Mommy
Thanks for linking up to last week's Tuesday Confessional Link Party. You've been featured! Congrats!
Holistic Homemaking
This is definitely my kind of jewelry. I have some great scraps I could use to make one of these this week! Great post!
April (the Happy Hello @ Holistic Homemaking)
Kristina
So cute. I pinned something like this ages ago to but never made it, i should 🙂
Becca Acker
That is totally cool! I think I will have to pin it and make it sometime. 🙂
Found you via Live Laugh Linky.
Becca Acker
And I'm your newest follower 🙂
Christine
TOTALLY LOVING THIS NECKLACE!!!!! WOW!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!!
Libby
What a great way to use up fabric scraps. And I do have plenty!
Lori Stokes Wright
Love this! Thanks for the idea. Found you at Creative Thursday.
Carrie Barron
Fabulous! I love how simple this is. Thanks for sharing!Blessings,Carrie
Anonymous
thanks for sharing
Erin
I love this! I'm going to have to try this.
Leslie Duran
Found you from the Gunny Sack, had to click over and see your pretty necklace! Thanks for the tutorial, I've pinned it!
Sara @ My Merry Messy Life
I had no idea this was so easy! Gonna hafta make some of these for myself. You did a great job and I love that you have so many pictures to make it an easy to follow tutorial.
Desperate Craftwives
Love this! Great job!
Jenni
That is beautiful! Pinning it! 🙂
Ashley
How fun! I love scrap fabric crafts...using up small pieces of fabric, and having something awesome to show for it. Way to go!
The Mandatory Mooch
This is terrific!! I would love for you to link up to Tasty Thursdays at The Mandatory Mooch.
Nicole@Show Off Friday
That is a really pretty idea!
The Mandatory Mooch
Thanks so much for linking up to Tasty Thursdays on The Mandatory Mooch. I hope you will link up again. The party will be live tonight.
Diana - FreeStyleMama
Love it! PINNED!
Emmanuelle Polynice
Beautiful!
Ana Lopes
So, so gorgeous! I love this so much! Thanks so much for sharing the fabulous tutorial!
Have a lovely week!
Hugs from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
Karen
This is so cool! I bet my daughter and her friends would love to make these. Thank you!
2Momma2
Very cute! I have to pin this and give it a try sometime!
Kristin
ExploringDomesticity.blogspot.com
Milena Yancheva
So beautiful!
Hugs!!!
Wanda Ann Olsen
So Cute, thank you for sharing at Tuesday Trivia. I love these. I want to make them with my granddaughters. Love the tutorial! Pinned and sharing on facebook.
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
DesignedByBH
Super cute! Thank you so much for sharing the tutorial! 🙂
pearl necklace with ribbon
This info is worth everyone's attention. Where can I find out more?
Peggy
Thank you- I have a girls sewing club. I'm sure they will love this!
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled
I love this. Pinning to make my own. Gawd knows I have too many fabric scraps! Visiting from Best of the Weekend.
Katie
Don't we all!! Thanks for stopping by Victoria!
PATRICIA
Beautiful work, but how you avoid the flower to unravel ?
Katie
Thank you Patricia! ❤️ The edges of the flower pieces unraveled a bit but I think it just makes it match the braided necklace even more.
Belle
How do you get rid of the messy frayed appearance that distracts from the braids?
Katie
to finish the edges with a seam would make the necklace too bulky. You could try using a fabric that doesn't fray like jersey knit.
Belle Mears
The. braids are messy looking…..the fraying is a distraction to my eye..
Katie
The frayed edges are a part of the look! But that is okay if this isn't your style.
Jane
Love this idea! The frayed edges look good to me but if the frayed look isn’t liked, one could fold in the edges so they wouldn’t show.
Katie Adams
Great tip Jane! Thank you.