Silk ribbon necklaces: how to finish the ends

Ever wanted to turn a pretty ribbon into a necklace, but weren’t sure how to make it wearable? Here are a few of our favorite methods for finishing the ends of silk ribbons.

1. Add a clasp – any clasp!

Simply string large-hole spacer beads or soldered jump rings, then one half of your clasp, onto one ribbon tail. Thread the tail back through the spacers/jump rings and tie a knot on the end. Slide the spacers/rings to adjust the necklace length. Mollie used a button and oval link to form the clasp on this sweet pea pod design, but you could use any kind of clasp. You could also omit the spacers/rings and just tie the clasp to the ribbon for a non-adjustable design.

With the jumbo lobster clasp, I just tied a loop on the opposite end instead of adding a ring.

2. Glue on necklace adjusters (2020 update: sorry, these are no longer available)

Since the silk ribbon has tapered ends, Rita folded the ends over two times to make them fit securely into the adjusters. She used G-S Hypo Cement for a secure fabric-to-metal bond with no mess.

3. Bolo!

To create a bolo necklace, just connect a bolo slide to the back of a pendant and slide it onto the ribbon. While Jaci titled her piece Sweet Lolita, I can’t help thinking of it as Bolo Betty. She designed it, so she wins of course.

4. Tube bead slider (not pictured)

Run both ends of the ribbon through a large-hole tube bead, running opposite directions or in the same direction: either way works. Tie knots on the ends, and add some embellishments if you like.

5. Just tie a bow!

Seems too obvious, right? Although it might feel “unfinished,” this method is comfortable, adjustable and it allows you to remove the pendant.

We’ll cover how to finish flat ribbon, like velvet, and round cording, like leather, in future blog posts. Let me know if you’d like tips for any other materials! ~ Cindy