Wrap bracelets are nothing new, but their recent popularity
among celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Gisele Bundchen, and
Jennifer Lopez is causing quite a stir. With retail prices ranging from
$30-$200, you might want to try making your own. Here's a do-it-yourself
version using beads already in your stash.
You will need:
- 25-35
mm button or other large focal with a hole or shank for threading
- 60-70
6-8 mm assorted-shaped gemstone, glass,
fire-polished, or crystal beads with at least a 1-2 mm hole
- 54-60
in. (1.4-1.5 m) leather cord or suede lace - I used 3.2 mm diameter suede
lace for my bracelet
- 4 yd.
(3.7 m) 0.5 mm diameter waxed-linen thread or leather cord
- Big-Eye
needle
This is one beading project where you don't have to hide the
knots.
[1] Cut the leather cord in half. Tie one end of each cord
to the 25-35 mm button with a square knot. Approximately 1 in. (2.5 cm) after
the button, tie the cords together with an overhand knot.
[2] Tie 4 yd. (3.7 m) of 0.5 mm waxed-linen thread to one of
the leather cords with a surgeon's knot. Thread a Big-Eye needle on the thread,
and sew around the cord from front to back.
[3] Pick up a 6 mm bead, and push it close to the cord you
tied the thread to (going forward this will be called the upper cord). Sew
around the lower cord from front to back, and sew back through the 6 mm bead.
Sew around the upper cord from front to back.
[4] Repeat step 3 (figure), using an assortment of beads for
the length of the cords, leaving approximately 3 in. (7.6 cm) of cord to make a
loop for the closure. End the thread by tying a surgeon's knot between the cord
and the last bead. Trim the thread.
[5] With both cords, tie an overhand knot. With the ends,
make a loop near the last beads large enough to fit around the button at the
other end. Tie a square knot. Trim the cords if necessary.
Wrap the beaded cords around your wrist two or three
times, and voilà!
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Julia Gerlach
wrote
re: Free project - make your own wrap bracelet
on
Fri, Sep 23 2011 12:16 PM
I love it, Jane! I've been noticing those, too, and have been thinking about figuring out how to do it. Thanks for figuring it out for all of us!
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Who me?
wrote
re: Free project - make your own wrap bracelet
on
Wed, Sep 28 2011 4:06 PM
IT wonderful thank you got to make me one .
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roxiestuff
wrote
re: Free project - make your own wrap bracelet
on
Thu, Sep 29 2011 12:31 PM
Hi Jane, I have made two of these bracelets and my trouble has been the beads whole size not big enough to thread twice. Any suggestions? I have even used silk thread that was already threaded, thanks for any advice.
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Jane Cruz
wrote
re: Free project - make your own wrap bracelet
on
Fri, Sep 30 2011 9:51 AM
Hi, Roxiestuff:
For this bracelet, I used a waxed-linen thread with a 0.5 diameter because it slides through the holes better than cotton cord. I also culled my beads to find those with a 1–2 mm hole. You can use 14 lb. test Fireline to make similar wrap bracelets with 4–6 mm crystals or fire-polished beads. However, when I use the Fireline, I change the leather cord to 2 mm diameter instead of the 3.2 mm suede cord I used for the bracelet in the photograph. One other note: When I use the thinner leather cord, I always use black cord so the smoke-colored Fireline blends in. I hope this is helpful. These bracelets are beautiful when you add crystals or metallic fire-polished beads. If you make one, send us a picture!
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jgamskky
wrote
re: Free project - make your own wrap bracelet
on
Tue, Oct 4 2011 5:52 PM
I made a similar bracelet but used leather cording and using eye pins making a simple loop on each side of each bead and stringing the beads on two leather cords and put a clasp on. So it's not really a wrapped bracelet
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Diana Schatzman
wrote
re: Free project - make your own wrap bracelet
on
Thu, Oct 6 2011 3:55 PM
I just crawled out from under my rock. I've never seen one before. They look easy to make and really make a casual yet fun statement. Love it!
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