Every time I log onto the J. Crew website or get one of their emails, I immediately want to purchase every last thing. Their looks are so stylish yet accessible and versatile! Unfortunately, I am not made of money and don’t have unlimited closet space, so purchasing one of every thing is not in the cards for me. I’m always looking for a way to get some of their looks with pieces I already own or can make myself. When I got an email a few weeks ago featuring this wrap around fabric bracelet, I knew I could make something very similar without the $22.50 price tag.
J. Crew Wrap around Bracelet DIY
You will need:
Scrap fabric – I used an old H&M top (100% cotton) I had in the Goodwill pile.
Thread in a matching color
Sewing machine (see below for a no-sew option)
Safety pin or chopstick
Needle
1. Cut your fabric of choice into 2 inch strips. Longer strips are better, but you can always sew multiple short pieces together.
2. If you have a sewing machine, fold your strips in half with the pattern side in. Sew a straight stitch along the cut edge to make a fabric tube. Turn the tube right side out with a safety pin or chopstick. (For an example, check this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn3YY4KYD9E). Repeat with as many tubes as you’d like to make the bracelet length of your choice. I had enough to make a total of about 6 feet of tubing.
3. Sew your multiple tubes made in step 2 together to make one long tube. To do this, I just sewed straight across and trimmed the edges to about 1/4 inch.
4. Fold the tube in half and make a knot at the fold to create a loop big enough to stuff a knot through to create a clasp.
5. Have a friend hold the loop or tack it to something sturdy and twist the two tubes together. Tie a knot at the end.
6. To make sure the twist didn’t unwind. I took a needle and did a simple hand stitch the length of the bracelet weaving in and out of each side connecting the two strands together. I did this very quickly, doing about one stitch every inch or so.
7. Wrap around your wrist, put the knot through the loop and you’re set!
Alternative No-Sew Method: If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can try to dampen the cloth strips and twist them together. This will result in a thinner bracelet with a bit more frayed ends, but generally the same result!
If any part of my instructions were unclear, please let me know and I will try to clarify!
P.S. – Check back on Friday, I’ll be doing a DIY post on the purple ombre skirt I’m wearing!
Kachet ~ The Lipstick Giraffe says
Very cool! Thanks for the idea!
nikki says
This looks great! I’ll have to give it a try! Thanks for sharing.
Kelly says
Thanks for reading!