How to Turn a Necklace Into a Headpiece
13
No-Sew Stretchy Necklace or 1920s Headband (Tutorial)
by Rena Klingenberg. © 2003-Present Rena Klingenberg. All Rights Reserved
In this easy mixed media project we'll make a versatile accessory with big, bold style!
It's a statement piece that can be worn as a necklace:
. . . or as a 1920s style headband:
Although the necklace is very striking, it's also soft and comfortable:
And worn as a headband, it can be either dressy or casual:
Also, wearing this chic accessory as a headband can be the perfect fix for a bad hair day.
It provides instant style, and the band is wide enough to cover up a variety of hair issues. 🙂
Supplies:
- Wide stretchy fabric headbands.
Look for them in the barrettes & ponytail elastics aisle of stores.
My headbands are 2.5″ (63.5mm) wide x 18″ (457mm) around, and came in a package of 5:
- Large pendants – a minimum of 1.75″ (45mm) and up.
This is an occasion for big, bold focal pieces!
Anything smaller than that will look tiny and insignificant hanging from the wide fabric band. - Large, sturdy jump rings.
I used 15mm heavy gauge jump rings:
- Chain nose and round nose pliers – for opening and closing jump rings.
How I Came Up with
This Jewelry Idea:
The manufacturer intended the headbands to be worn like this:
But it occurred to me that they could also be interesting to wear like this:
And that a pendant would make it even better:
So in addition to being a fabulous statement necklace to slip on over your head:
It can also still be a headband – but better, now that it has a dramatic focal element:
How to Make a
No-Sew Stretchy Necklace
or 1920s Headband:
IMPORTANT:
To wear this design as a necklace, make sure the fabric band hangs LOOSELY around the wearer's neck.
There should be plenty of open space between the fabric band and the neck.
If the band does not fit loosely around the wearer's neck, she/he should NOT wear it as a necklace.
This accessory is NOT recommended for children under the age of 18.
If you get a multi-pack of fabric headbands, you can make a nice little wardrobe of accessories:
Here are the pendants I used for the finished pieces in this tutorial.
On the ruler beside them, you can get a good idea of their sizes:
The green rectangular pendant is wooden.
The brass faux coin and key pendants are ones I purchased at a craft store awhile back.
The beige pendant is a seashell cut into a go-go donut shape.
Your stretchy necklace / headband needs only three components – the fabric band, a bold pendant, and a big jump ring:
Use your chain nose and flat nose pliers to twist open your jump ring:
Then string the opened jump ring through the hole at the top of your pendant:
Now find the center front of the fabric band (directly across from the seam in the band).
Gather the fabric in the center front enough so that it will fit into the opened jump ring:
Use your chain nose and flat nose pliers to twist your jump ring shut again:
And your necklace / headband is finished!
How to Turn a Necklace Into a Headpiece
Source: https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/no-sew-stretchy-necklace-or-1920s-headband-tutorial/