BIB NECKLACE TUTORIAL--FINALLY!!! ;)

Finally, the tutorial!!!  ;)

First, go to your closet, your husband's closet, your kids' closets, or your scrap fabric pile.  Raid for knits and fabrics that you can upcycle, or re-use!  Nothing is safe in our house!  Ha!  If you're using clothing, cut or tear your clothing into strips, 1-1 1/2" wide.  They can vary in length, as you will use these to make your rosettes, and you'll want different sizes.  Plug in your glue gun!

Step 1.  Select a strip of fabric to form your rosette

Step 2. Fold your fabric

Step 3.  Fold it again

Step 4.  Fold it again, so you have a nice taut center

Step 5.  Use this as your center and start rolling the rest of the fabric strip around the center.

Step 6.  Very, ver carefully take your glue gun and add a fine strip of glue to the bottom of your rosette where you are rolling it.  The best way to do this is to use a fine tip glue gun.  Add a little glue, roll and twist your fabric in that area, and repeat.

Step 7.  This is the fun part!  Continue rolling and twisting and gluing your fabric while you watch your rosette form.  Play with it and be creative.  Here is where you can decide how much torn fabric you want to have showing. etc.  When you come to the end of your strip, glue the excess fabric to the back of the rosette.

Step 8.  Repeat this process until you have 6, 7, 8 rosettes...you'll want enough so that you can play with the layout of your necklace.

Step 9. Embellish one, or a few of your rosettes.  You can use anything fun you already have--buttons, crystals, parts from old pieces of jewelry.  This contains parts of my wedding tiara that were loose or falling off! :)  Remember, this necklace should be made for adults and children over 12 only--especially after you add embellishments.  I am struggling through all of the CPSIA laws at the moment, and want to be clear on this!

Step 10. Lay out your rosettes, and glue together.  Be careful when gluing--use only what you need so this doesn't turn into a "hot mess"! ;)

Step 11.  Add your ribbon.  Select a high quality grosgrain ribbon in a coordinating color.  You will need four pieces total.  Two shorter, and two longer.

Step. 12  Measure and cut a piece of ribbon to the length of one side of your necklace.  Cut and glue to the back of your rosettes.  You may heat seal the edges of the ribbon if you have a tool. You will also want to cut the edges at an angle.  Do the same to the other side.

Step 13.  Now for your long ribbon.  This will tie around your neck.  Cut two pieces, about 10" or so...this can be however long you want, as you can adjust the length when you tie it.  Again, cut edges at an angle and heat seal them if you wish.

Step 14.  Glue the long ribbons to either side.  If you're able to cut each piece at an angle, so that it lines up nicely with your short pieces, this will look best, aesthetically.  Make sure you use enough glue that your ribbon is secure!

And now, finally, you have your finished product!  Check all areas to make sure that your necklace is secure!  Remove any left-over gluey strings, and wear proudly!!!  Congrats to Monica--here is your necklace!  It will ship out today! :)