Bead-Embroidered Heritage Neckpiece

Materials:

photo to use as cameo (original will not be harmed)
1 sq. foot of tapestry fabric
1 sq. foot of buckram interfacing
1 sq. foot of faux leather backing fabric
2 pieces of 1 sq. foot of fusible webbing
3 sq. inches of small scrap of muslin
2 feet satin or velvet ribbon--cut in half
paper for pattern
fine-point felt-tip pen
inkjet transparency film
polymer medium
raw sienna acrylic paint
fabric glue or liquid seam sealant
nylon beading thread
glass pearls or fresh-water pearls
#8 seed beads
#11 cylindrical seed beads
assorted Lucite flowers and leaves
plastic CD spindle case
iron
photo-editing software on computer (colored photocopies can be substituted)
scanner
inkjet printer
bone folder
paintbrushes
sponges
fabric pins
beading needles
fabric scissors

1. Create a paper template for the necklace design by tracing around the base of a plastic CD spindle case on paper for the inside neck measurement. Draw the outer edge of the necklace by measuring two inches below the bottom of the circle and tapering the curve up toward each side of the neck. The pattern will resemble a sun visor. Scan the template into the computer and print it out on transparency film. Cut out the paper pattern and trace the outline onto the tapestry fabric with a fine-tip pen (figure A). Use the transparency printout as a see-through pattern to determine which part of the fabric pattern to use.

3. Scan and alter a photo using image software into the size and colors desired for a central "cameo". Print out image onto an inkjet transparency (figure C).

4. Transfer the photo to a piece of muslin using polymer medium. Brush the medium onto the muslin, press the transparency in place and burnish well with a bone folder. Lift the transparency off the fabric. Let it dry and seal the transfer onto the fabric with additional polymer medium.

5. Cut piece into an oval shape. Finger-paint the edges around the photo with raw sienna acrylic paint to create a vintage look.