BEADED COLLAR NECKLACE DIY
One of the hottest trends right now are collar necklaces.
You see them everywhere. The June issue of Lucky magazine has them listed in the top 5 trends for Spring. So, always up to a challenge I hacked the collar off one of my shirts and went for it with this Beaded Collar Necklace DIY. This is a really versatile accessory. You can wear it with a sweater for a layered look or with a tank or camisole as more of a necklace.
“think of them as fabric necklaces”
-Lucky Magazine
VIEW DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS >
To see step by step instructions and photos click here.
What you’ll need to make your Collar Necklace:
- 1 Shirt with collar
- Lots of beads in multiple sizes – I used beads I had left over from my Beaded Wrap Bracelet DIY and some “E” beads (6/0) in crystal and hematite.
- Scissors
- Needle
- Thread
Step 1
Carefully cut the collar off of your shirt, just under the band.
Step 2
I recommend laying out your beads the way you want them, before you start sewing them on and take a picture, so you can reference it as you go. It will make it much easier to place your beads (faster too). I used my phone so I could check it easily and frequently.
Step 3
Start sewing your beads to your shirt, running your needle through only the top layer of fabric on your collar. This way you won’t have all your threads showing underneath.
Sew your beads on one at a time, securing each at least twice and pulling the thread tight.
Step 4
Replace your button with one of your larger beads. Make sure the bead you use isn’t too small, or it won’t stay buttoned.
This project can be as simple as cutting the collar off a shirt with a great print and calling it a day or taking a basic white shirt and going crazy with beads like I did.
Have fun with it and let me know what you come up with.
I adore this.. but I need to find a shirt whose collar I dont need!
Thanks Vidhya,
That’s what vintage is for!
xoxo
Cathy
Absolutely genius! I love this! Thanks for sharing!
Kelly Spence
Editor, AllFreeBeadedJewelry.com
Hi Kelly,
Thank you so much for your complements! I’m really glad you like it.
xoxo
Cathy
Love this, absolutely beautiful!
Thank you so much!
xoxo
Cathy
wow! this is really creative and lovely! thanks for sharing
how do you tie off the bead after you’ve attached it?
Hi Michaela,
When I was sewing the beads I sewed through each bead and the collar twice and then running the thread through the shirt to where I placed the next bead and repeating. When I was finished with my thread I would whip stitch a couple times under the last bead and loop back through the stitches, knotting it and then run the thread through the shirt a little bit before cutting it.
Does that make sense? You want to tack it enough so it stays but hide your threads in the collar.
xoxo
Cathy
The real beauty is you can use any collar even from a man’s shirt that would be a lil bit looser on the neck for people like me that do not want anything tight. Loved looking through the fashions from June issue of Lucky also. Thanks for sharing your creativity.
Linda
Thanks Linda,
That’s true a man’s collar would be great too, it would give more options on collar size and shape.
xoxo
Cathy
I saw one of these once in a store and I’m so glad you posted directions on how to make one. I can’t wait to try it and I’ll never throw another shirt away.
I wonder if I could add lace. The more glam the better!
Hi Meredith,
Thanks! You could absolutely add lace! Send me a message and let me know how yours turn out.
xoxo
Cathy
Hi! I’ve started to flloow your blog
however mine it’s focused on fashion, I’m a craft lover and when I have free time, I like to do crafty works 
I’ll be glad if you would be my flloower too 
kisses from Italy 
:)
I can’t believe I only this! The finished result is absolutely gorgeous, congratulations. Actually quite a coincidence as I was planning for a while to hand-make a peterpan collar and embroider on beads in a similar manner to this. Great blog btw
http://www.thisischichi.co.uk
*meant to say only just found this!
Hi Nadia,
Thank you! I’d love to see your peter pan collar, I think that would be really cute!
xoxo
Cathy