Make Your Own Necklace with Scarf Material

Make Your Own Necklace with Scarf Material

I am a hardcore scarf person; once the weather cools down, a long flowy number becomes my best friend and go-to accessory. And while I love a vintage scarf, they are often damaged and flawed, making them perfect for upcycling projects. So, I decided to make a chunky necklace with the scarf material from this pretty floral scarf that I recently found.

Vintage scarf for repurposing as make your own necklace

Even though it had some stains in a couple of the corners, it was too pretty to pass up. I knew I had to repurpose it somehow by salvaging the good parts. 

You may recall that I’m fond of doing this- reworking a vintage scarf into something else completely, like these aromatherapy eye pillows.

Upcycling a Vintage Scarf as a Lavender Eye Pillow

Anyway, I picked up some large wooden beads to make a chunky necklace with the scarf material.

Large wooden beads for making a chunky necklace

I had a vision in my mind for a statement necklace that combined the scarf material with the wooden beads. And I was ready to see if I could make it come to life!

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Upcycling the Scarf Material into a Chunky Necklace

First things first, I cut out a long strip of scarf material diagonally across the vintage scarf. I avoided the stained areas and cut from corner to corner, yielding a long strip of material that was approximately 3″ wide.

Scarf material for making a chunky necklace

After ironing the scarf material, I folded it in half lengthwise, good sides together, and stitched it into a tube, leaving each end open.

I stitched it by hand, but my sewing machine would have done a quicker job.

Fabric tube with scarf material

Once the fabric tube was turned right-side-out, I slipped one wood bead into the center of the tube and tied knots on each side. I tied them as close to the bead as possible to secure it in place.

Upcycling a vintage scarf into a chunky necklace

One of the main benefits of using this particular scarf was the small print or design. That made it ideal for upcycling into a DIY necklace, as the design didn’t get lost in a smaller accessory.

Inserting a large wooden bead inside the fabric tube of scarf material

Then, it was just a matter of doing this over and over again, using as many of the wooden beads as I liked!

Make Your Own Necklace with Scarf Material

I did a few more and contemplated stopping there.

Chunky necklace with scarf material and large wooden beads

The most tedious part was stitching the scarf material together to form the tube. But like I mentioned earlier, a sewing machine would have made that step a breeze!

But this is still a super simple project and a great way to breathe new life into a vintage scarf that has seen better days.

Repurposing a vintage scarf as a scarf necklace

A few parting thoughts if you plan on making your own chunky necklace with scarf material:

  • The wooden beads are heavier than I would have liked. I highly suggest seeking out plastic beads or even foam balls (like these, maybe?) to make it more lightweight.
  • Definitely look for scarves with dainty print or designs. It just translates better as a necklace if the motif is on the smaller side.
  • Scarves with a dainty print AND a design in the very center of the scarf work the best. Since you cut diagonally across the scarf, you can capture that center design as your focal bead. 

If you enjoyed this upcycling idea for a DIY necklace, then you may also enjoy these repurposing ideas for other upcycled jewelry!

upcycled jewelry

Craft on!

S

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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of β€œCrafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.

Comments

  1. valj2750 says

    I’m a scarf person, too, Sadie. This is brilliant. Works well with the very gauzy scarf fabric.

  2. Sadie…are all the beads the same size? Thank You.

    • Hi, Joanne! Yes, these are all the same size. I think the only potential issue with different sized beads would be that I sized the “tube” for these large beads…and if I used some smaller ones, the tube might bunch up? But I’d have to try it to be sure. Sounds like a fun experiment, though! πŸ™‚

  3. Thank you I love your site and all your goodies too!!

  4. Okay this such a cool idea!! I have never seen this before! Thanks for sharing!
    I would love if you would come linkup and share on Friday Favorites!
    http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com

  5. So Clever! I love the way it turned out. I am going to head to my scarf stash and see which one might work!

  6. Very neat! Thanks so much for sharing!! I can’t wait to give it a whirl πŸ™‚

  7. Absolutely darling!!! Pinned!!

  8. Beautiful!!Love it!!!

  9. Good Morning Sadie, I have popped over from Treasurer Box Tuesday to say how fabulous your necklace is. At first I thought the beads had been decorated and then of course I realised you had created this lovely necklace by using a scarf….. it is a marvellous idea.
    I am a scarf lover and have quite a few scarfs which I could think of using to make your necklace. Thank you so much for the idea.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

  10. Very cute idea, Sarah! Love it!

  11. Great idea to use an old scarf and make it into something new and fabulous. Thanks for sharing this on Merry Monday.

  12. This is so beautiful! What a great way to recycle a scarf! You did such a good job! We would love it if you would join in on our Awesome Things Tuesday Link Party!
    http://www.kraftingkreations.com/2014/07/awesome-things-tuesday-link-party_29.html

  13. This is really pretty. I have a couple of scarves I should do this to. I don’t have the heart to get rid of them and they would make beautiful necklaces

  14. Stopping by from Creativity Unleashed. This is genius! My daughter LOVES these bubblegum necklaces, but I never thought of making them out of a scarf and wooden balls. Pinning!

  15. I found you on the Creativity Unleashed link party. I’ve been wanting to make one of these necklaces, but I never thought of using a scarf or the wooden balls! The tutorial I saw used marbles, but I think this would be lighter. I’m going to give it a try!

  16. so so so pretty!!! Featuring today in the Create Link Inspire features on Nap-Time Creations… spreading the word on social media.. thanks for linking! Emily

  17. So pretty! I have a few scarves that I no longer wear that would be the perfect candidates for this:)

  18. This came out so cute.
    Debi

  19. Super cute!! I love the idea of using a scarf!! πŸ™‚

  20. I’m visiting from Redoux Interiors. I love this idea, and plan to try it with an infinify scarf. Thank you for sharing!

  21. Really awesome idea!

  22. I love it! I’m really inspired with your creation.

  23. This is soooo pretty! I would’ve had a hard time cutting up that scarf but I guess with the stain that would’ve helped. I just restarted my Make it Monday Party and would love for you to stop by and share your project. Hope to see there! (There’s even a giveaway)

  24. distresseddonna says

    I have a whole collection of vintage scarves with a tear here or there. This is a great way to save and enjoy them. Thank you so much for bringing the scarf necklace over to Make It Monday for sharing.

  25. distresseddonna says

    Congratulations for being a feature tonight at Make It Monday.

  26. You were featured on Etcetorize this week! Stop by and grab a button πŸ™‚

  27. That is so beautiful!! I love the idea — and that scarf πŸ˜€ I’ll have to try it especially with some of the scarves that I can never seem to match! Now that we live in Florida I want to still let some of those scarf patters see the light of day – thanks for sharing and linking up πŸ™‚
    ~Andrea

  28. swatkins827 says

    Great use of vintage scarfs! Thanks for sharing on Friday Favorites. Pinned!!

  29. christieselken says

    I love this! Thanks for sharing it at Totally Terrific Tuesday this week. I’m pinning! πŸ™‚

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