Ever wanted something special to identify your sewing tools? I wanted
something other than a small embroidered "pillow" as a fob, so I created these
beaded fobs. They are constructed in almost the same manner as beaded
buttons except a piece of plastic and batting is used as the form. To make
a beaded button, simply substitute a dressmaker's covered button form for the
plastic and follow the manufacturers directions to compete the button.
Here are the instructions.
- Materials:
- Fabric
- Interfacing or paper
- Beads
- Beading needle and thread
- 1/2 yd 1/8" ribbon
- Narrow decorative trim (I recommend no larger than 3/8")
- template plastic and thin batting or Covered button kit such as Prym or
Dritz
- Fabric glue and Fray Chek (optional)
 |
Step 1: Chose the size of your Button/fob (I used 1 1/2") and draw the
outline on the interfacing or paper. Mark the center of the circle. Place on
WRONG side of your fabric. For the fob, you will be making 2 of these. On
some button kits, a template is provided to cut the fabric. I suggest you
take the button top and trace around it. |
 |
Step 2: Baste in contrasting thread on outline. This is your beading
guide. You DO NOT want to bead outside this line. |
 |
Step 3: The fun part! Bead your design inside the circle. Don't forget
to make 2 of these for your fob. |
 |
Step 4: When beading is completed, turn to wrong side and remove excess
interfacing or paper. If you used paper, it will tear away easily. |
 |
Step 5: Trim excess fabric to about 1/2" of beading. If making a button,
use the template if provided by the manufacturer. Cut same size circles out
of template plastic(2) and batting (2). Glue with glue stick one layer of
batting to each piece of template plastic |
 |
Step 6: Baste in a running stitch no larger than 1/4" around beading.
Place stitching about 3/8" from edge of beading. Knot thread with a large
knot before beginning stitching. Do NOT cut thread. |
 |
Step 7: Place one of the button or batting/plastic rounds on wrong side
of beading with plastic side showing. Center on stitching. |
 |
Step 8: Pull basting stitching tight to gather excess fabric. Turn over
and check that your stitching is in the center. If you need to straighten,
loosen gathers, reposition, and pull again. When it is perfect, carefully
make a knot to hold gathers and cut thread. If you are making a button,
apply the button back per the manufacturers instructions. These usually snap
in place. And you are Done!!! |
 |
Step 9: You should now have 2 beaded disks. You are ready to construct
your fob. |
 |
Step 10: Fold your 1/8" ribbon in half and glue the ends to one of the
disks. I recommend stacking the ends as shown. |
 |
Step 11: Using the Fabric glue, glue the disks together. Do not skimp on
the glue -- try to get as close to the edges as possible. Place under a
weight and allow to dry. |
 |
Step 12: Glue your trim to the center side edge of the fob as shown
starting at the ribbon all around the outside. If your trim has a tendency
to fray, apply FrayCheck to both ends before applying to the fob. |
 |
Step 13: Once the trim is glued on YOU'RE DONE |
Please share pictures of your finished buttons and fobs. I used different
sizes of pears and seed pearls on mine. With all the different beads available
today, the possibilities are endless! We would love to see yours!
NOTE: You could also construct two buttons using the button kits for
the fobs. If you use the kit, make sure you remove the piece that is used to
attach the button to fabric. I chose to make my fobs using the plastic because
they were lighter and softer plus you have the option of varying the size. You
can also make one side and apply to a cq piece
Other Beaded Button Examples:
 |
Sun Button: This button was made using a button kit. I glued a real button to
the center of the fabric, added the beads all around it and also in the center
and over the button. I then completed the button per the manufacturers
instructions, added additional beads using the outer beaded edge as a base and
glued feathers to the back for the "corona". It is now ready to apply to a CQ
piece. |
|
|
This is also a beaded button. I started with the cameo and made a template of
plastic about 1/2" larger all around. I then glued the cameo to the center of
the fabric and beaded around it with pearls. I constructed the button as above
and added a beaded "ruffle" to the edge.
I constructed this the same as the fob, but I did not bead the back side or
add trim to hide the seam. |
 |
Another beaded button using a button kit. This button used pearls and seed
beads. The seed pearl border was added to the competed button. |
|
