Make a Jeweled Beaded Bib Necklace...
A Hot Fashion Necklace Trend

A beaded bib necklace is a hot trend in fashion necklaces. If you like a big statement necklace, this indie fashion DIY style is for you. Here, learn to make your own. And, you won't want to spill any food on it!

Bib Necklaces

Beaded bib necklaces are fashion statement necklaces that bespeak confidence and individuality.

And yes, their shape resembles a baby's bib, which is what they're named for.

So, how do you go about making theses unique beaded necklaces?

Simply follow these beading instructions and tips to make one or two bib necklaces that will add pizazz to your wardrobe!

Determine the Shape of Your Bib Necklace

For this jeweled bib necklace beading project, I chose a somewhat literal bib shape, with floral influences.

I simply played with different arrangements of my chosen beads until I got a design that I liked. Then, I cut fabric to conform to that shape.

Hunt for Jewelry Making Beads or Baubles that You'll Love

During my search for beads I went to a few local bead stores, two major national chain arts and crafts stores, a fabric and trim shop and browsed the websites of a few online bead stores.

Lots of jewelry making materials are available! I found buttons, fabric beads, natural stones, glue on and sew on glass and plastic rhinestones and lots of other glass and plastic beads in different shapes, sizes and colors.

Choose Beads With a Flat Back

In the end, I decided to use beads that I could glue to fabric. Namely, Howlite cabochons and Swarovski flat back faceted rhinestone crystals.

I think (but of course I'm a little biased) the end result is a little funky without being too over the top...

Jeweled Beaded Bib Necklace

Let's learn how to make a beaded jeweled bib necklace...

Tutorial Category: Stringing Tutorials

Skill Level: Beginning Beading

Time to Complete: A few hours, but leave overnight to allow the glue to set and dry. Check the directions on the back of the bottle of your glue used.

Prerequisite Beading Techniques: Opening a split ring, cutting fabric with sewing scissors or rotary cutters.

Learn how to open split rings with these instructions.

Approximate Length: 20" (50.8 cm)

Jewelry Making Supplies

An assortment of flat back beads and baubles*
• Non fraying fabric like Ultra suede, felt or leather (I used Ultra suede)
• A thin, but sturdy piece of plastic (cut from a large water bottle) or cardboard to help support the necklace
• 26" (66 cm) length of 1/4" (6 mm) diameter velvet rope
• 2 10mm choker clamp ends
• E6000 glue or a glue appropriate for your chosen materials
• Small tip paint brush, toothpicks or Popsicle sticks (to help spread glue)
• A few sewing stick pins (or safety pins)
• 8" (20.3 cm) dinner plate or other rounded object (to use as a cutting guide for your material)(optional)
• Portable, flat work surface like cardboard, clipboard or sturdy book
• Plastic wrap
• Ruler

*Beads used in this beaded bib necklace beading project:

1 40mm X 30mm oval Howlite cabochon
2 30mm X 22mm oval Howlite cabochons
4 10mm round Howlite cabochons
11 mm (SS48) Swarovski® crystal color flat back rhinestones
8 mm (SS40) Swarovski® black diamond flat back rhinestones

Jewelry Making Tools and/or Pliers

• Chain nose pliers
• Split ring pliers
• Sewing scissors or shears and/or Rotary Cutter
• Tweezers (optional)

Here, learn more about jewelry pliers and what jewelry making tasks they are used to accomplish.

Jewelry Making Instructions

1 . Gather supplies, tools and beads.

On a table, lay down a portable flat work surface like a sturdy piece of cardboard. (You may want to move the project outside if your glue has strong fumes.) Place plastic wrap over it.

2. Using sewing scissors or shears, cut out two pieces of fabric a few inches ( or centimeters) larger than the shape of your bib necklace.

Place the fabric on the portable work surface.

Layout your beaded bib necklace pattern.

Layout Bib Necklace Bead Pattern

Close Up of Beaded Bib Necklace Pattern

3. One by one glue the beads to the fabric. Use tweezers or your fingers to pick up the beads.

For larger beads, use the small tip paint brush, toothpicks or Popsicle sticks to spread the glue onto the fabric and the backs of the beads (see beading tip below). Then, replace the bead into pattern. With your fingers press the bead into the fabric.

After gluing all the beads, leave the project overnight (or according to the dry and set time for the glue used) to allow the glue to completely dry and set.

Beading Tip: Try not to spread the glue to the bead's edge. It will spread on its own when you press the bead into the fabric.

If you spread the glue to the bead's edge and then press, the glue will spread beyond a bead's edge and show up on the fabric.

Later, once the glue dries, you may not be able to easily clean it up. However, if the glue you chose dries clear it may not be a big deal.

4. When the glue is completely dry, pin both pieces of fabric together. (Cutting both pieces of fabric together ensures that the two pieces of fabric or material will be of the same shape and size.)

Strand Attached to Connector

5. Cut the fabric along the beaded bib necklace pattern.

To achieve a smother neck portion of the necklace, use a large dinner plate (or other curved edge object) as a guide and cut a smooth neckline with rotary cutters.

6. Use sewing scissors or shears to cut out the remaining portion of your bib's shape.

Use the sewing scissors or shears to cut a piece of thin plastic (or cardboard) in the shape of the lower bib portion.

The plastic (or cardboard) will make the bib sturdy and give support to it if your beads are on the heavy side. If your beads are very light weight, you may omit adding the plastic support.

7. Turn the bib over with its back facing you. On the back of the bib, directly from the tube, place glue along the neckline edge, the back of the bib and one side of the plastic (or cardboard).

Place the plastic (or cardboard) onto the lower portion of the bib and with your fingers press it into the fabric.

8. Place the velvet rope along the neckline over the glue. With your fingers press it into the glue and the fabric of the bib.

Directly from the tube, place glue along top of the velvet rope and all over the back of the bib up to the edge of the plastic (or cardboard).

9. Place the second piece of fabric over the back of the bib.

Line up all edges. With your fingers, press both halves together as one. Run your fingers across the back of the fabric to smooth it, spreading the glue for better adhesion of both halves.

Leave the project overnight to allow the glue to completely dry and set. (Or according to the dry and set time for the glue you used)

How to Use Choker Clamp Ends

10. Attach a choker clamp to each end of the velvet rope.

Slide each rope end into a clamp. Using chain nose pliers, press each clamp closed.

Using split ring pliers, attach a split ring to each choker clamp end; attach a lobster claw clasp to one choker clamp end.

You're done...You've made a beautiful, funky beaded bib necklace!

How to Wear a Bib Necklace

Wear it like the queen you are! A beaded bib necklace is a big necklace. It wants to take center stage and make a statement.

1. Keep earrings to a minimum, perhaps studs or thin small or medium-sized hoops.
2. The collar of your dress or shirt should be plain and simple with no other embellishments, or have no collar. Or, choose to wear an off the shoulder top.
3. You could wear bracelets, but try to keep the flash to a minimum.
4. And, of course, rings are a must! (For some of us. Namely, me.)

Now, go out and rock your gorgeous creation!

If you like the 'bib style', but want to make and wear a more sedate beaded bib necklace, try making a different style of the many fashionable styles of bib necklaces!.

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