DIY Bedazzled Bandana Choker Necklace
I’ve been on a major DIY kick lately. I love getting crafty on a Sunday afternoon. They’re a fun way to customize things and also save money! I like that I can take an idea and make it into EXACTLY what I want! I like to pick DIY projects that are fairly simple with easy to recreate.
One of my favorite DIY projects I’ve ever done is my DIY Cutout T-Shirt shirt. It’s a really fun way to take an old t-shirt and revamp it. Not to mention, there are tons of them sold in stores. So instead of spending money on a choker tee, you can make one for free! Which got me thinking… what other fun clothing and accessory DIY projects could I come up with that are on-trend, save money & are super simple to make?
DIY Choker Necklace
A few months ago, I saw a pic of Kourtney Kardhashian wearing the CUTEST rhinestone encrusted bandana choker. Since then, I’ve seen photos of everyone from Rhianna to Bella Hadid wearing it! So, I did some digging and found it for sale. Unfortunately for me, it cost $160! No joke, the Monarch Fallon Choker costs close to $200 with California sales tax!
So, I turned my frown upside down and got crafting. Rather than shell out $200 on a necklace, I came up with a super easy DIY that cost about $7 to make! Even better? You can make a ton of them for even less! I’m not even kidding. I made my DIY choker in about 5 minutes and then made about 10 more variations. You can make a few for yourself or share them with friends!
Items Needed
- Bandana – You can buy them individually, or in a multipack. If you want to make a few variations, get a bundle that has a few different colors! I went with black for my DIY Choker.
- Iron on Rhinestone Applique – I used iron on because it’s a lot easier to work with, but if you want to test your sewing skills you can get a regular rhinestone appliqué. Most stores sell it by the yard, which will make about 3 chokers.
- Scissors
- Fabric Glue
- A Ruler
- Marking Pencil
Step One: Plot Your Choker Necklace
To get started, lay your bandana out on an even surface. I used my kitchen countertops.
I wanted my choker to be about an inch thick, so I drew a line down the center of the bandana with a rule and marker. I recommend using a marking pencil though. Then, made some notches 1/2″ above and below the line. Then, using my ruler, connected the dots as a line. Basically, you need to take into consideration the amount that will fold over, kind of like the hem on your shirt. Since I wanted my necklace to be an inch wide, I added 1/2″ on each side to fold over towards the center.
Step Two: Cut the Bandana
Next up… cut that bandana into a “choker”! Follow the outer lines you traced and cut straight across. It’s ok if the lines aren’t perfect, you’re folding them inward so you won’t see it!
Step Three: Iron Your Edges
This part can get a little tricky, so it may be easier to use a ruler (metal, not plastic) to create a straight line. You can also use some pins to hold it in place.
Fold your edges inward and iron the seam of the choker in place. That way you’ve got a nice, clean edge for your necklace.
Step Four: Glue Your Seams
Using fabric glue, glue the edges into place. I recommend letting it dry for a few hours before moving on to the next step.
Step Five: Add Your Rhinestones
Choose a rhinestone appliqué and cut it to fit your bandana. I recommend using a long, tape style, iron on appliqué. Make sure to take into consideration how large your neck is, you don’t need the appliqué to go from edge to edge. I measured my neck using the bandana and eyeballed the amount that would show after it was tied.
Then, iron on the appliqué! I used the bandana scraps and ironed it face down to prevent melting the appliqué.
That’s it! Now, you’re ready to tie your bandana on and it will turn into a choker necklace!
DIY Choker Ideas
That’s not all! You can use this tutorial and get extra crafty to make your own chokers! You could try a different type of fabric or ribbon. Even an old scarf! Or, use studs instead of rhinestones for an edgier look.
I think it would be really fun to add a lace appliqué trim and then glue on some pearls, just like my DIY Pearl Jeans!
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