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Hello! I'm Suzannah, a serious DIYer and mom of two little ones. Follow along with my DIY fixer upper house renovations, sewing and crafty projects, real food recipes, and de-stressing goals.
I believe you can love your home just the way it is, AND have the power to design and make big changes to make it better.
I'm also the author of DIY Wardrobe Makeovers!

Blog Swap! Leather Bow Necklace Tutorial

Hi, folks--tune in with Alli from One Pearl Button for this Asymmetrical Leather Bow Necklace Tutorial!
Hello everyone! I'm Alli and I blog at One Pearl Button. I'm so excited that Suzannah invited me over to share a tutorial with you today!


I've been loving all the bows popping up in fashion lately, but I've had trouble incorporating them into my wardrobe. I look a lot younger than I am (and work in a field where that isn't a good thing), and the bows that I've tried came across as a little *too* sweet. Then I saw Katharine's (of the fabulous Making Chicken Salad - if you've never visited, do yourself a favor and go!) tutorial for a leather bow keychain. A sophisticated, elegant, grown-up, take on the bow? Instant inspiration!

To make the necklace, you'll need:
a strip of leather 4x1"; a strip of leather 2x.5"; jewelry chain; a clasp; small and large jump rings (I used 1cm and .5cm jump rings that I found packaged together at Jo Ann Fabrics); jewelry pliers (you can find inexpensive sets at most craft stores - mine were $10 for five pliers of different styles, and I used a 50% off coupon); strong glue (I used hot glue because it's cheap and I had it on hand), a large-ish needle.


We'll start by making the bow. We are going to use Katharine's directions, just working on a smaller scale.

Step 1: Trim the corners off your larger strip of leather. You don't need to be careful or accurate here.


Step 2: Put some glue on the center back of the strip, then fold over one side and stick it down.


Step 3: Glue the other side to the center, placing the end on top of the first.


Step 4: Pinch your strip into a bow shape. Place little dabs of glue into the folds on both the front and back to hold it in place (if you are using hot glue, be careful not to burn yourself!).


Step 5: Run a small line of glue down the center of the smaller strip and wrap it around the bow. You might need to trim the length down a bit.


Okay, your bow is done! Set it aside for now.

Step 6: Measure around your neck to figure out how long you want your necklace to be. I chose to make mine 18". Subtract 1.5" from your measurement, and use pliers cut your chain to that length (so mine was 16.5").


Step 7: Fold your chain into thirds. Cut one of the folds so that you have one shorter piece of chain, and one longer (if you'd prefer your necklace to be symmetrical - so the bow sits in front like a little bow tie - fold your chain in half and cut in the center).


Step 8: Using a needle, poke a hole in each side of your bow at the fold. You might want to use a smaller, sharper needle to make the initial hole, then run a larger needle through to really define it.


Step 9: Use your pliers to open one of the larger jump rings. Slip the jump ring through the hole you've just made in your bow. Hook one of your chain halves into the same jump ring, and use your pliers to close it.


Step 10: Repeat step 9 on the other side of your bow.


Step 11: Use the smaller jump rings to attach the clasp to your necklace.


That's all there is to it! I hope you enjoyed the project, and that you'll stop by One Pearl Button to say hello sometime - I'd love to meet you!





11 comments

  1. I am dying over this -- it is soooo cute, and very black-tie hip! I love it. I am going to make a hair clip version since I just got a hair-clip-friendly cut. Thanks for the inspiration and how-to!

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  2. This is really cute. Like. Really.

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  3. seriously this is so stinking cute! i totally want to do this! thanks for the great post! you're the best!

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  4. ADORABLE, but tough. totally fits into my style! can't wait to try it.

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  5. That is so cute Allie- I love it! Thanks so much for the great tutorial. I'll be linking in my next Jewelry Roundup.

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  6. SEW cute! I'd rather it were vegan though...
    I'll make mine from pleather :)
    pink velvet bird

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  7. Thanks, everyone! Pink Velvet Bird, I think it would look great in pleather!

    Also, if anyone tries it, you can upload photos to the One Pearl Button Flickr group to show it off! http://www.flickr.com/groups/1362130@N21/

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  8. thank you to both of y'all for posting this super cute tutorial!! i made one too and gave y'all some love on my blog!

    http://kristenmcashan.com/bowtie-necklace/

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  9. Taking note of all your great weblog, I obtain it is of the unique topic and absolute inspiring ideas. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Feel free to visit me back!

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  10. The new line is absolutely stunning! I have been so entertained by your blog,keep smiling and take care!

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  11. Wow...the necklace was very cute and cool. My wife also enjoys designing jewelry. And when I showed this picture to my wife, she praised you. This can be an inspiration. Thanks for your tutorial...

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