Hexie Button Jewelry Tutorial

Every "Sewista" needs fun accessories, right?

Make them for yourself

or for someone you know who loves to sew :)

What you will need:

4mm open jump rings

7mm open jump rings

Package ear wires

lobster claw

1" piece chain with links large enough for the lobster claw

jewelry pliers

sharp craft scissors

1/16th Martha Stewart Handpunch

Phoomph by Coats & Clark (Stiff)

fabric scraps at least 1" square

co-ordinating buttons (1 for each hexie)

Fabric glue (I used Aleene's OK To Wash)

Download Hexie template

It would be best

 to read through all the directions

before you begin :)

A few months back I watched a online video 

for a product called Phoomph for fabric.

It's made by Coats & Clark

and it comes in either stiff or soft.

I couldn't wait to use it!

To see more about it click HERE.

I bought mine from Joann's online,

but they carry it in the store as well.

First you will need to download the hexie template.

I found it HERE. (Genius right?)

Don't forget to say "Thanks" 

and leave her a lovely comment!

I printed it out full size,

then used my copier to shrink it down 50%.

Cut out your tiny hexies

Then cut the Phoomph into 1" strips

and then into 1" squares.

Peel off the paper and attach your fabric

and then peel the backside and repeat.

I didn't bother to cut my fabric into 1" squares,

I just stuck the Phoomph onto my fabric scrap

and cut around the little square.

So much easier than trying to line up

1" pieces of fabric.

Hold your paper hexie firmly

 against the 1" double sided fabric square

and cut around your template.

I originally drew the shape onto the fabric,

but with these tiny shapes, 

holding it in place went faster

and I ended up with better results.

For  the earrings:

Use your handpunch and 

punch your hole at the top "point" of the hexie.

For the bracelet:

Punch your holes along 2 opposite flat sides.

Choose your buttons

and attach them according to the directions

on the glue package.

I allowed my buttons to "cure" over night

before I went to the next step.

 For the earrings:

Attach 7mm jump rings to the earrings

using the holes you made.

Use your jewelry pliers to gently close the rings.

Attach a 4mm jump ring to each 7mm jump ring

and attach an ear wire,

then gently close the 4mm jump ring 

with your jewelry pliers.

You have now connected the ear wire and the hexie.

The 4mm jump ring assures

that the hexie will hang correctly in your ears.

Your earrings are done.

Stand back and admire your work :)

For the bracelet:

Use 7mm jump rings to attach your hexies to one another.

Use as many hexies as you need,

depending on the size of your wrist.

I have a 7" wrist and I used 9 hexies.

Gently close the rings,

leaving the first and last ring open.

Attach your lobster claw clasp to one end

and gently close that ring.

Attach the 1" piece of chain to the other end

and gently close that ring.

The chain step is optional but it gives you the ability

to extend your bracelet if necessary.

I added a bead to the end of the chain

with a straight pin and jewelry pliers.

You can also purchase an extender 

at a jewelry supply store that already

has a bead or ball on the end.

If you choose not to use the extender,

you can simply close the other open ring

use your lobster claw to hook directly into it.

Your bracelet is now done.

How fun was that?

Obviously you can make necklaces as well

with maybe 5 hexies in the center

attached to chain on both sides.

So many possibilities!

I have to say,

I love me some Phoomph!