Way back in the old days bandanas came in limited colors and designs. Nowadays, a bandana can sport the image of a rock band, feature tie-dye designs or even come in day-glo colors. You’ll find many different bandanas at a local store that sells them, but online, you can literally choose from hundreds. Lots of people wrap bandanas around their foreheads, while working, to absorb moisture when sweating. Others tie them around a boot and go boot scootin’ on Friday night. No matter how you usually use a bandana you’re missing out on their full potential! If you’re a bandana fan you might be interested in knowing that they make fabulous accessories for many of your outfits. Use them to make necklaces and bracelets that are not only unusual but will compliment most any clothing style or fashion.
Do you remember the wide, velvet ribbon “chokers” that many people wore in the 70’s? The bandana necklace is similar to those. It is a necklace that fits closely to the skin, all the way around the neck. The finished necklace is a couple of inches wide and is made with a closure to secure. The bandana necklace can then be embellished in many different ways, using inexpensive craft items, or things you already have around the house.
Make an interchangeable bandana necklace by first folding the chosen bandana from one corner to the opposite corner. This will form a two-sided triangle to start. Fold the two points over, on top of the bandana, a couple of inches. Now fold again, and again until you reach the initial fold of the bandana. This will form a long, flat bandana that’s a couple of inches wide. Make it more narrow, but more bulky, by folding it smaller. Or, make it much wider by making each of the folds larger.
You’ll create an even different look for the bandana if you fold it in the same manner but in the opposite direction. That is, instead of starting by folding the point over, onto the bandana, start by folding the long end over and over. This design allows you to see the edges of the bandana, all the way across, rather than hiding the edges with the previous method. Fold it both ways, before doing anything permanent, so you can decide which design you prefer.
When you’ve got the shape of the bandana all-set wrap it around your neck comfortably. Mark the area where the two ends meet at the back. Remove from your neck, lay it on a flat surface, and cut off the excess from the ends. Keep in mind that each end will need about a half-inch of extra material to add the closure. After removing the excess stitch or glue on a set of velcro pieces, sew on a snap, or use another closure. If you don’t sew fabric glue can help you attach velcro.
The bandana becomes interchangeable by the embellishments you choose to use. Slide on an antique clip-on earring, in the front center, or choose another accent. Use a paper clip that’s been decorated with a glued-on, painted wooden shape or another trinket. If you’d like to make a bandana necklace that’s permanent simply use fabric glue to attach the selected novelty or decoration.
Create a different necklace by wrapping the folded bandana around the neck, but this time, bring the ends around to the front. Now you can cross one end over the other, place the clip-on or paper clip design across them, and use it for the clasp. The ends can be left in-tact and the necklace can be returned to its original state at any time. If you want something more permanent in this design, cut off the excess from the ends, add Velcro, then glue on the selected embellishment. With this method the front, decorated area is slightly bulkier than it is with the design where the closure is in the back.
Make a cute, matching bracelet by folding the bandana, cutting off the excess, and adding a closure. Although this bracelet is somewhat bulky you can make it trimmer by first cutting the bandana in half. After cutting it, choose one of the triangles to become the bracelet. Set the other triangle aside to make a purse embellishment. Fold the triangle into the shape of the necklace above. Glue or clip on the desired embellishments – a fake jewel, a silk flower – whatever you want.
Bandanas are so cheap yet look very elegant when you make them into necklaces and/or bracelets. Depending upon the embellishments you attach you can make bandana accessories to go with most any outfit and any style. Make a little black dress look much more casual by wearing a simple bandana necklace. Or, dress up an ordinary outfit by making a gold bandana with a fake jewel center. There are no limits to the designs you can create with very little money. They’re great for teens and little girls, too!
Reference:
- Buy cheap embellishments here: www.orientaltrading.com
