We wrapped the outside of the bracelet yesterday , and let it dry overnight.  Today we’re going to line the inside, making a nice, clean looking finish.

Noreen left an excellent comment, noting that you can also varnish your bracelet as well.  Varnishing will protect the bracelet and keep it looking shiny and new for longer.  I personally prefer a satin spray varnish – it’s available from most hardware stores.

We need to measure the cuff first, to see how wide it is.  My bracelet is 2″ wide, so I need to cut the lining 1 – 3/4″ wide.  By making it a little narrower than the bracelet, you’ll make sure that the lining doesn’t stick out.   Cut the lining (non-fray fabric, suede or leather is recommended) out to the width you need, and approximately an inch longer than the bracelet length.

Believe me, you don’t want to get the lining glued almost all the way in and then discover it’s too short!

Spread your glue on the inside of the bracelet, almost to the very edge.  I recommend only gluing a quarter or the bracelet at a time.  Smooth the lining into the glue and repeat, going all the way around the inside.

Let the lining dry throughly and enjoy!

images: © C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Part Two: Make Your Own Bangle Bracelet

You’ll need a cardboard tube that can comfortably slip over your hand.  I’m using the inside of a roll of packing tape for mine.  Don’t forget that the fabric will shrink the size a little, so don’t use anything too snug.

You’ll also need a good quality white glue, preferably water-resistant.  I’m a big fan of The Ultimate.  Choose a ribbon that’s at least an inch wider than the cardboard tube.  I recommend lining the bracelet with a non-woven material like felt, faux suede, leather or real suede.

Of course, scissors, glue spreaders and a ruler are all very handy…

Spread a thin layer of the glue over approximately 1/4 of the tube and smooth the fabric onto it.  Try and center the fabric as much as possible.  I recommend just gluing small pieces because it’s a lot easier to control the results this way:

Keep gluing all the way around until you reach the beginning of the ribbon.  Cut the end of the ribbon so that you have a 1″ overlap of ribbon.  Dab a little glue on the very end and fold it over:

Glue the folded end in place, so that it looks like this:

I recommend letting the bracelet dry for a few minutes at this point.

Spread a thin layer of glue inside the very top of the cardboard, and along the inside edge:

Smooth the ribbon over, so it looks like this:

Keep gently pressing it down until it lies smoothly.

Let the bracelet dry fully before we start on our next step.  I’ll show you how to line the bracelet tomorrow

images: © C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

How-to Of The Day: Bangle Bracelet

• The Twisted Stitcher has a great idea for using Altoids tins, fabric and a little piece of cross stitch embroidery to create a cute little needle carry case.
• I laughed so hard at this wonderful video from Hankering for Yarn!
• Embroidery As Art is a new-ish blog that focuses on embroidery, not as a craft but as fine art – there’s some amazing stuff here!
• Large is a sewing blog for plus-size seamstresses.  There are some great tips and ideas – as well as real-world women modeling their own clothes.
• Purl Bee has an adorable tutorial on making jelly bean beanbags.
• I love Betz White’s handmade felt pomander – besides, you’ll save yourself “clove pushers thumb” by making them out of fabric

Happy crafting!

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Crafting Around the Web

It’s the time of year again when I browse through my archives from the past year and pick out my favorite posts – as well as your favorite posts!

The all-time reader favorite post from this year has to be the free pattern to sew your own snuggie. This post has got to be one of the most popular ones I’ve ever written!

My ribbon roses tutorial is another top reader favorite – month after month, people still enjoy it… even though I wrote it in 2007!

In no particular order, here are some of my favorite posts from 2008:

• I’ve gotten a few requests for a basic, round yo-yo tutorial, and no – you don’t need any fancy gadgets to make them!
• I rescued this tutorial from a previous computer – it’s an older one, but I love to make fiber fusion and definitely wanted to share the technique with you all
• Make your own hand-fringed scarf with this tutorial – it’s really quite easy!
• Launching two new blogs this year was definitely exciting, here’s my announcement for The Doggy Blog.
• Figuring out how to make my cutting table work better for me was very useful discovery – I only wish it hadn’t taken me so long…
• Here are a few tips to make mending blue jeans a little easier.
• This is one of my favorite ways to make marking button holes an easier task.

Do you have a favorite Tangled Thread post from 2008?  Share it in the comments!

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Tangled Thread – Favorite posts of 2008

image: Daily OM

They were originally created in Northern India to bring good luck – I’d like to try making my own. I think that if I used Bettsi McComb’s (of Tender Arts Studio) pattern for little birds, I could create something quite lovely.

I’ll keep you posted…

Post from: Blisstree

blue prosperity hens