Verity Vintage Studio

February Tutorial - Mixed Media Retro-style Necklace

This month's tutorial departs a little from what I regularly post how-tos about. This necklace is not period correct, but it definitely has a vintage influence, and what is even better is it uses up vintage components which otherwise might go to waste. So it falls under the Repurposing category.

It is so simple anyone without beading or jewelry making experience can make their own with what's on hand, freeform style. It's feminine and helps to brighten up the dragging days of winter.

So here's how to make it.

 

You will need:

1/8 in. ribbon

needle and thread (I use quilting thread for extra durability)

vintage lace components or flowers (6 are shown)

small beads that coordinate with your beaded chain, 1 less than the amount of flowers (5 are shown)

18 in. beaded link chain

decorative toggle clasp that matches the metal of your beaded chain

needlenosed pliers

 

Supplies not shown are scissors and small barrel curling iron.

 

A few more words about supplies before we continue.

These flowers I'm using are cut from an antique crocheted doily that was in bad shape. There are many other types of lace you can incorporate for your own mixed media necklace.

They are sun-faded from a bright yellow to a soft pale yellow almost ivory. I had them in a drawer for a long time and wanted to put them to good use. I love them so much I have to post another picture.

The beaded chain I took off a too long necklace I bought at Cato, simply by opening a metal loop on each end of the strand. A vintage necklace could be used instead, or you can make your own beaded link chain with some wire, pliers and wire cutters, beads, and patience.

Now on to the instructions.

 

Making the Necklace

1. With needle and thread, sew the flowers or lace components together, using a small bead between each one.

Your needle will need to have a small eye. You should be able to pass back and forth from flower to flower, going through the bead, at least twice. Knot each end for security.

You'll have to sew on the tips/underneath edge of the flowers to hide your stitches.

Continue until all the small beads and flowers are strung together. I had 6 flowers and 5 beads.

 

2. With needle and thread, sew the large end of the toggle onto one end of the flower length.

 

3. For the other end, open a loop on one end of the beaded chain...

...and insert it in the other end of the flower strand.

Pinch shut. It's starting to look like a necklace.

 

4. Now it's time to make the rest of the necklace closure. About 3 in. from the free end of the beaded chain, open a loop...

...and in this loop you want to place the other end of the toggle clasp. Pinch shut.

Just below the toggle, take the free end of the 3 in. piece you skipped, open it with the pliers, and loop it up to join the toggle. Pinch shut.

So now you have a necklace with a closure and a dangling loop.

One word about the closure: take care that the beads you put the small toggle clasp beside are small ones so you can insert it through the large toggle clasp to close.

 

5. Now comes another mixed media touch. Cut 3 strands of ribbon, between 5-7 in. long.

Take them in the center and knot them under the small end of the toggle clasp.

Heat your small-barrel curling iron to at least medium heat. Then curl the ribbon ends.

The finished product:

Trim the ends if needed. That's it!

 

Styling the Necklace

As with most mixed media necklaces, this one can be styled different ways. Put the flowers on the side...

...or in the center.

While not period correct, it's perfect for retro hearted gals to wear with a vintage-style blouse and A-line skirt all year round.

There's lots of lovely detail to each angle.

 

I feel much better about hoarding little things that I don't need...until inspiration strikes. Enjoy making your own style of necklace!

 

Till next time...

~ Kristen - Verity Vintage Studio 

 

Look for my new tutorials posted sometime during the first full week of every month. Hairstyles, crafts, repurposing, etc.

 

November Tutorial - Vintage Yo-Yo Shoe Clips in 20 Minutes or Less

I love having little things to spice up my wardrobe occasionally, and how much better can it get than when it costs next to nothing and only takes a few minutes?

This month's tutorial shows you how to make the cutest shoe clips ever, from vintage fabric. Since it only takes scraps, it's great for using up leftovers!

 

You will need:

scraps of fabric (I used vintage)

needle and thread

2 vintage buttons per pair of shoe clips

2 shoe clip findings (get them at your local craft store or online)

circle form (I used a large sour cream container lid)

scissors

pen

 

1. The first step is to fold your fabric with the right sides together and lay your circle form on top.

Remember that yo-yos will always be half the size your original circle is. So if you want a 2 in. yo-yo, cut a 4 in. circle.

 

2. Trace around the form:

 

3. Cut out your circles, holding both pieces of fabric together so you can cut both at once. Don't worry if the edges aren't perfect - they'll be tucked out of sight.

 

4. Now with the wrong side facing, fold the top edge in just a little bit.

Your thread should have a knot in it for security. Stick the needle in through the layer you're holding down.

 

Make the needle go in and out at about 1/4 in. gaps, holding down the edge. When the needle is full of fabric, pull it through and continue. This is gathering the edge into a circle and neatly hemming it at the same time.

 

Here's mine half done:

 

When the edge is all gathered around, pull on the thread to tighten it. Now it looks like a saggy pouch.

 

Next, tug it around the edge to flatten it, making sure the gathered hole is in the center. Sew it down with a stitch or two to keep it in place. There's your yo-yo!

 

5. To finish it, sew the button on the top (it's a great way to showcase a fancy special button)...

...and sew the clip on the bottom (flat side).

 

Repeat steps 1-5 for the 2nd shoe clip.

 

Styling

But you can't make just one! The possibilities are endless. These are addicting. I can see why there were yo-yo crazes in the 1930s that even went so far as making bedspreads out of 2 in. yo-yos! I made 2 more pairs of shoe clips, and all 3 of them together took just an hour.

 

Here's how they look on some of my shoes.

 

 

 

 

The next time I make myself a skirt or dress, I'll make a pair of these out of leftover fabric so I have a matching touch for my shoes!

 

Handy Tip

If you find they hurt your feet clipped just inside the top, use them on buckles of mary janes, or on any sort of strap detail your shoes might have on the toes, like the red flats above. They stay on securely and won't hurt you.

Of course the possibilities for these are much more than shoe clips. Glue them to headbands, sew them to bags, hats, or lapels - sew pin backs to them and pin them anywhere and everywhere! I've seen lovely jewelry made with fancy fabric and smaller yo-yos sewn together into a bib necklace. Just a brief search on the internet is enough to overwhelm you with people's creativity and these little circles of fabric. But hopefully this will get you interested in the fabulous yo-yo!

 

Till next month!

~Kristen - Verity Vintage Studio

 

Look for my new tutorials posted sometime during the first full week of every month. Hairstyles, crafts, repurposing, etc.

 

Make Your Own Snap On T-Strap Mary Janes Tutorial

(No, this is not October's tutorial posted early. There's another hairstyle tutorial coming for October. I was so excited about this idea I had to share it as an extra tutorial this month!)

I love the look of Mary Jane heels, but ones that fit my style are hard to find. If you've had that problem as well, look no more. Here is the way I found to make almost any shoe into a Mary Jane—and still keep it a regular heel when you want to! 

Note: I can't say this will work for every kind of shoe. I haven't tried it with flats yet or platform heels, although I'm sure it would work with flats and most likely with platforms. Also you need shoes with a wide enough band across the toe to hide a snap underneath. And I wouldn't recommend using your $100 pair to practice on, or even a shoe you might not want to keep, since you will be gluing snaps to the inside of the shoe and thus lower the value.

 

You will need:

1 pair heels

1/2 yard 1 1/4 in. black velvet ribbon

lace of similar width, with a decorative edge on both sides

6 sets of 1/0 sew-on snaps, preferably close to your shoe color

needle and thread

E6000 glue

sewing machine

small clamps (optional)

 

1. The Snaps. Try one heel on and hold one end of the ribbon across your ankle to determine where the end of the ankle strap should be. I wanted mine just in front of the heel stitching inside. Perch a smooth side of a snap upside down on your finger, coat it generously with glue...

...and press hard on side of shoe inside. Hold it there until it starts to bond. Make sure it isn't too close to the top so it shows!

Carefully remove your finger. It's ok if the glue wells up through the holes, but don't let it get in the center where it snaps. Be careful not to get glue on the outside of shoe since your fingers will be sticky. Repeat on other side of shoe opposite first snap.

Also glue another smooth side of a snap on the underside of the toe far enough that it can't be seen.

 

Now you have 3 smooth halves of snaps inside the shoe - one on each side and one on the toe.

Clamp the snaps if needed - you want a secure glue since there will be some stress on them. However, use clamps cautiously since you don't want them to let a mark on your shoe. Let it cure for several hours (24 hours are recommended for a complete cure before wearing it but 2 hours should keep it enough for finishing the T-strap).

 

2. The Ankle Strap. Hold the ribbon across your ankle with the ends a little past the snaps. Flex your foot and decide how tight you want the ribbon. It should be snug so it doesn't gape, but not so tight it will wrinkle when you walk (especially if you use a wide ribbon).

Cut it. Mine was 8 in. long. Cut a piece of lace the same size.

 

Sew the lace onto the ribbon. I made 2 seams and zig-zagged the raw edges to keep the lace from fraying. Sew by hand one corresponding snap half 1/2 in. in from the ribbon end.

 

Snap that end to one side snap in the shoe, stretch it across your ankle to determine where to sew the other snap.

Sew on the other snap. Ankle strap is completed.

 

Where it fastens:

 

3. T-Strap. For the T part, take a piece of ribbon and lay it on the shoe on your foot. It needs to reach a little past the snap on the toe and about halfway up the ankle ribbon. Make sure it is taut.

Cut it. Mine was 5 in. long. Cut a piece of lace the same size. Sew that lace like the first one, and sew one end to the center of the ankle strap. Try it on again and determine where to sew the snap to the other end. Sew the snap. Now it looks like this:

 

The completed T-Strap, snapped on.

 

Repeat steps 1-3 for the other shoe.

Now you have some very stylish shoes! The smooth snaps shouldn't bother your feet at all, so you can wear them with or without the T-straps as you like.

4. Having Fun. There are endless possibilites of materials for the T-strap. I chose black velvet and off-white lace for a boutique look, but brown shoes with a red T-strap would be a cute vintage combo. Make a variety and glue snaps to various shoes, and you have an instantly updated shoe wardrobe for any season with only a little time and no cost!  

 

You can stop at the ankle strap, if you just want Mary Janes. Here are a few I made:

I bought cheap narrow belts at a thrift store and cut them into lengths. I hot-glued the snaps on the leather and faux leather straps, and sewed the snaps on the fabric straps. A belt or ribbon with a little stretch in it works well, too. It's a great way to recycle vintage belts!

 

Keep in mind that different shoes will come farther up on your foot than others, so the same straps might not fit all your shoes. Also remember that the straps have to fit between your foot and shoe, so only choose thin materials in a roomy enough shoe that it won't irritate you. Have fun!

Creativity With Clip-On Earrings

Need ideas about what to do with your heavy vintage clip-on earrings? An upcoming post is planned to demonstrate how you can turn them into shoe clips, but meanwhile here's an idea: clip them to shoe buckles. They might not be strong enough to use as shoe clips on shoe toes without the proper shoe clip finding attached, but if they have a strong enough clip to wear on your ears, they are strong enough to wedge between a buckle strap and a buckle, whether on the ankle or the toe. Here is a gorgeous 1950s rhinestone clip-on I used to add glamour to my treasured 1940s sandals.