DIY Tutorial: Ribbon Necklace
After reading through your comments on my last DIY tutorial, I saw how much you guys love these tutorials, so today I’ll show you how to make a fantastic piece of statement jewelry – a ribbon necklace.
For this necklace, I was inspired by the Ann Taylor necklace (above left) that retails for over $100. I love the femininity of it, but also how it combines a chain and some sparkle with girly details. This necklace would be the perfect accessory for an LBD at night, but is also casual enough to throw on over your white tee and wear to class.
Read on for the 2 easy steps so that you can make your own necklace, too!
What You Need:
- A chain – You can get this at a craft store. Just make sure to buy one that is wide enough that you can weave ribbon through!
- Ribbon – I chose a light pink for a feminine effect.
- Cute pins or brooches – I used two brooches in this tutorial. You can find cheap ones at Forever 21 or look for vintage brooches at Goodwill.
- 2 jump rings – Available at craft stores
- 1 clasp – Also available at craft stores
- Pliers
Step 1:
Take the ribbon and weave it through the chain. At first I chose to weave it through every other link, as shown above, but you can also braid it through every link, as shown in the last finished picture. Which style you choose will affect the overall look and style of the necklace, so experiment and see which you like best!
Step 2:
After you finish weaving the ribbon through the chain, use your pliers to open each of the two jump rings, and secure one at either end of the necklace. You can use your pliers to close one of the jump rings, but leave the other one open and attach the clasp to it. To keep the ribbon in place, I knotted each end onto the jump rings, and then trimmed the ribbon down.
Now, the last step is to pin your brooches on, and tie your bow in place!
Finished Product #1:
This was my first attempt at making the necklace, and as you can see, I wove the ribbon through every other chain, and attached 2 similar-looking brooches on either side.
Finished Product #2:
Once I was done, I decided to play around with the necklace some more, so I added another chain and twirled it around the first. I also tried securing both brooches on one side, but found that the weight distribution was too unequal.
By weaving the ribbon through each chain link and adding an extra chain, you can toughen up the look of the necklace. This version would make a great statement piece to wear with a leather jacket!
Thoughts?
What do you think? Do you like this tutorial? Do you make your own jewelry? Where do you look to for your jewelry inspiration? Will you be trying this project? Are there any specific tutorials or types of tutorials that you would like to see in the future? Let us know with a comment!
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Posted on on September 29, 2010 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: ann taylor, DIY, Featured, Jewelry, Necklace, Tutorial
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Cat
Love this! The piece definitely does not look like it was handcrafted. My favorite is the last product, with the extra chain looped around the ribbon-ed chain. I’d love to try it, maybe without the brooches. I am a sucker for bows :)
Li
Love this DIY idea, way to save some money! Also, it’s good because you can add whatever you like according to your taste! Love it!
Milana
Oooh so cute! It’s maybe a little girly for my personal style, but it is nonetheless still very beautiful. I want to make one too :) Great job!
Milana
P.S. on second thought I would totally wear no 1! :)
alex
My favorite DIY yet!
Rin
Yours looks better than the Ann Taylor one. I love it! I will definitely be stealing my brother’s old chain that he no longer wears to do this! Keep these ideas coming.
Rachel
This is super cute. I’m not fond of the color pink, but I’m sure any other color will look just fine. It’s feminine, easy to make and affordable.
Isabelle
I did this earlier this year and everyone loved it, got tons of compliments for it, super awesome to do it yourself.
Chelsea - University of Oklahoma
your DIY version is WAAAAAAY cuter than the original! great job!
Courtney
THANK YOU! Oh I did your earlier tutorial (my friends RAVED) and was already starting to think “Hm, I wonder if I tried a ribbon one” but I wasn’t entirely sure what to do with it. I will definitely be making this asap.
Gracey
this is SO cute! I might just have to try it this weekend. Great post :)
Ashley - Harvard University
This is GORGEOUS! Can’t wait to try and make my own!
thisizkim
cute! hmm… I think I might just try this! =]
Heather
I like this a lot! I’m not a crafty person nor do I usually comment on CF but I think I might go to the store and make one of these!
Cara
I’ve actually been craving several necklaces like this from Ann Taylor and LOFT since spring. I know what I’m doing this weekend in my essay breaks!
Sarah
I love this technique! Very cool. How long did it take you to come up with this? I would like to try this, it looks like I am going to have to learn something new!
Karyn
very pretty !!
i was goin thru some fashion sites, and i found another freat DIY headband, made out of a piece of rope.. love it!
http://weheartthis.com/2010/10/06/diy-knotted-headband-your-new-favorite-fall-accessory/
Kaitlyn
cute necklace! it’s nice having unique jewelry that u know no one else could have :)
Sarah
WOW!!! I love it!!!!!!!!!!
I made one last year just like this one but it was a bracelet instead with red ribbon and wore it for valentines day!!!!
Sharnell Patterson
I love the tutorial
Rose
My first time to see your Ribbon necklace. I was looking for Ribbon Weave for a cushion and table mats in Herronbone style + instructions or any other patern Love to try the necklace Pretty Pretty Keep up the GOOD work Thank you………Rose
Mallory
This turned out super cute! Such a fun and easy project too!
Wil Harris
Wow, this is amazing and easy to do. I’ll be trying it soon! Thanks for posting.
Anna
That looks so good. Love that you can customize it to your own style.
Mardi Robyn
Awesome tutorial! I have so much ribbon, and craft chains, I need to try this!!