Upcycled Braided Necklace

 

Edie's Upcycled Braided Necklace

Supplies Needed

  • Rit Dye: Tangerine and Petal Pink
  • Pre-Washed Cotton T-Shirt
  • Wooden Beads
  • Fabric Scissors
  • Large Plastic Container
  • Small Rubber Bands
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Plastic Table Cover

Start with cutting off the bottom hem of your shirt, then cut nine 1" wide strip loops. This shirt had side seams but it's better if the shirt is a continuous knit without seams.

  1. I dyed it first with 1/2 bottle RIT tangerine dye mixed in 1 gallon of very hot 140° water for about 15 min. If the tap water's not hot enough, just heat some in the tea kettle or microwave.
  2. Then the knots and rubber bands are removed.
  3. Next, mix 2 Tbsp of Rit Rose Pink in an additional gallon of hot water and immerse the fabric strips for about 5 minutes.

After removing from the dye bath, rinse until the water runs clear and hang dry.

OK, ready for assembly! Hold the ends of the 9 strips together with a clamp or tape and start braiding 3 strips at a time the entire length.

Stitch the ends with a moderately tight stitch back and forth. At this point, I was planning to cut the fringe off and attach a ribbon tie but decided the fringe was kinda fun so I'm working it for now.

  

Details