Retired - Versailles Necklace

Note: Components and tools listed within this INSTRUCTIONS box and the printer-friendly PDF, if available, may have been discontinued since this project was published. Refer to the PURCHASE COMPONENTS and TOOLS AND OTHER SUPPLIES sections for current availability.

1. Cut a five-foot piece of Nymo thread and knot one end. Sew up through the Beadsmith felt beading foundation near one corner of the felt.
2. String one magatama bead, one turquoise infinity bead and one gold seed bead and push them down close to the felt. Sew back down through just the infinity bead and magatama bead, anchoring the three beads in place.
3. Sew up through the felt right next to the beads you just anchored. String one magatama and then guide your needle up through the second hole of the infinity bead you already strung in the previous stitch. Then string a seed bead, and sew back down through the infinity bead and the magatama bead, anchoring the rest of the unit.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 until you have 6 inches of beads embroidered along the edge of the felt.
5. At the end of the row, sew up through the felt opposite the last bead unit. String a magatama, an infinity bead and a seed bead, and anchor them to the felt facing the opposite way.
6. Repeat steps 3-4, creating a second row of beads facing the first row. (If you start to run out of Nymo, knot the remaining thread on the underside of the felt, cut off the excess, and begin beading again with another piece of string.) At the end of the second row, your thread should be coming out of the bottom of the felt.
7. You're now going to create a "second story" of beads, working at the level of the seed beads you've already stitched. Sew back up through the first stack of beads on the first row you embroidered -- the magatama, infinity bead and the seed bead. Add a seed bead to your needle and sew through the next seed bead over, creating a line of three seed beads above the first turquoise infinity bead.
8. Add a bronze infinity bead to your needle and sew through the next seed bead, so it lays between the two turquoise infinity beads below it. Then pick up another seed bead and sew through the next seed bead over. Repeat this step until you reach the end of the first row.
9. At the end of the row, pick up a seed bead and sew through the first seed bead at the beginning of the opposite row. Then pick up another seed bead and sew through the next seed bead over. Guide your needle through the second hole of the bronze infinity bead already strung in the previous row, then sew through the seed bead next to it. Repeat this step, joining seed beads and bronze infinity beads together, until you reach the end of the row.
10. At the end of the row, pick up a seed bead and sew through the first seed bead at the beginning of the first row, completing the "second story" of beads. Sew back down through your beadwork, knot the string on the underside of the felt and cut off the excess.
11. For the next step, begin by watching our video on how to trim beading foundation and attach backing. Based on the technique shown in the video, use scissors to cut out your first beaded panel, trimming close to your stitching so you have a long, thin rectangle. Then use E6000 to glue the panel onto your Ultra Suede backing. Wait several hours for it to dry, then trim the backing so it is flush with the beading foundation.
12. Next, watch our video on how to bead embroider a basic beaded edge. Based on the video demonstration, cut a five-foot piece of Nymo and begin creating a beaded edge around the panel using the bronze seed beads. We will be adding a step at the short sides of the piece, so pause when you get to the end.
13. After creating a beaded edge along one short side of the panel, sew back out through the top of one of your edging beads near one side. Add eight bronze seed beads to your needle and then sew back down through an edging bead near the other end of the short side. In this way, you are creating a beaded loop to hang your chain later. Anchor your stitching by sewing through your beading foundation and back up through the beads you just strung, reinforcing the loop with a second pass. Then continue back through the top of your most recent edging bead and continue edging around the piece. Repeat this step on the other short end of the panel, creating a second beaded loop there.
14. Once you have finished edging the piece, sew down through your backing, knot your thread on the bottom of the Ultra Suede and cut off the excess.
15. Repeat steps 1-14 to create a second, identical beaded panel with beaded loops at both ends.
16. Now you will assemble the necklace into one piece. Use flush cutters to cut four lengths of chain: 1 foot, 5 inches, 6 inches and 7 inches.
17. Use your pliers to open a jump ring. Slide it through the link at one end of your 1 foot length of chain, and attach the jump ring to a beaded loop on one end of one of your beaded panels. Open another jump ring and attach the other end of your piece of chain to a beaded loop on your second panel. Now the two panels should be connected by the 1 foot piece of chain, which will go around your neck.
18. Open another jump ring and attach one side of your 5 inch piece of chain to the beaded loop on the bottom of one of your panels. Use another jump ring to attach the other end of the chain to the second beaded loop on your second panel. Repeat this process for the 6 inch and 7 inch pieces of chain, creating a cascade with the three pieces of chain between the two bottom ends of your beaded panels.
19. Slip the chain over your head -- your necklace is ready to wear!

• XCR-4298 - BeadSmith Beading Foundation - For Embroidery Work - Black 11x8.5 Inches
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• BCP-11447 - Czech Glass, 2-Hole Infinity Beads 6x3mm, 8 Gram Tube, Turquoise Blue / Picasso
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• BCP-11402 - Czech Glass, 2-Hole Infinity Beads 6x3mm, 8 Gram Tube, Gold Luster
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• KMG-008 - Miyuki Long Magatama Seed Beads - 4x7mm Galvanized Gold 8.5 Grams
  Project uses 2 tubes. You will need 2 packages.


• JSK-0277 - Toho Round Seed Beads 11/0 PF557 'Galvanized Starlight' 8g
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• JSK-0303 - Toho Round Seed Beads 11/0 223 'Antique Bronze' 8g
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-8932 - NYMO Nylon Beading Thread Size B for Delica Beads Black 72YD (66 Meters)
  Project uses 20 feet. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-4380 - Beadsmith Ultra Suede For Beading Foundation And Cabochon Work 8.5x4.25 Inches Black Onyx
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• XTL-1054 - E6000 Industrial Strength Glue Adhesive (0.18 fl oz)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• CHA-9802 - Nunn Design Antiqued Gold Plated Textured Cable Chain By The Foot
  Project uses 3 feet. You will need 3 packages.


• FJR-5260 - 22K Gold Plated 6mm 19 Gauge Open Jump Rings (100)
  Project uses 8 pieces. You will need 1 package.

• XTL-3027 - Crafter's Collection Beading Needle Assortment - Sizes 10, 11 & 12 - 10 Pack
• XTL-5700 - Fiskars 5 Precision Tip Scissors - Super Sharp
• XTL-5511 - Beadsmith Jeweller's Micro Pliers Chain Nose Flat Nose
• XTL-5514 - Beadsmith Jewelry Fine Round Nose Micro Pliers
• XTL-5600 - Xuron Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - Wire/Soft Flex