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Beaded Leather-wrap Bracelet

by a1ba on 10/27/11


About this design:

It's a single 20-inch-long bracelet, inspired by Chan Luu wrap bracelet designs.

Components:

1.5 mm natural brown leather cord, Black cotton thread (4-strand) for threading, 4mm faceted Snowflake Obsidian beads, 4mm Golden Pyrite (silver-tinted) beads, 3mm faceted Black Onyx beads, 1mm brass button as a toggle, 1 collapsible beading needle, clipboard

Additional Images:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1:
Measure your wrist diameter, multiply by 6, then add another 12 inches. This will be the length of leather cord you'll use.
Step 2:
Take a spool of super strong black sewing thread, get about 4-6 arm spans length of thread, fold once.
Feed the folded end of the string through the needle, and pull thread through until the folded end of the string meets the other thread ends. Trim off any uneven length on the thread ends. There should now be two identical-length sewing threads threaded through your needle.
You might need more thread later, just knot off and measure out more thread if that happens.
Step 3:
Fold the leather cord into two. Thread each end of the cord through different holes in the button. Pull the button to the folded end of the cord.
Step 4:
Clip the button end of the cord to the clipboard, and tape the ends of the cord down. You will have to readjust the clip when you bead.
Step 5:
Tie the end of the sewing thread to the left cord. Push knot up close to where the button is. Dot some clear nail polish on the knot to make it stay. Cut the ends of the thread.
Step 6:
Pass your thread UNDER the left leather, add a bead. Hold the bead between the two strands of leather, and stitch the thread OVER the right, back UNDER the right, THROUGH the bead hole again and OVER the left. Bring the thread UNDER the left and add another bead in the middle. Repeat many many times! Keep the beads pulled in snugly against the leather. Pay attention so that your stitches all face the same way. If your thread seems to snag a lot, use a bit of thread conditioner or beeswax on it.
Step 7:
When you've finished threading [your wrist diameter * 3]-inches worth of beads, knot up your sewing thread to leather cord and dot w/ nail polish.
Knot the leather cord 4 times, leaving space for the button to pass through in between each knot.
Trim the cord ends diagonally.


Read the comments (or add your own)

  1. sunny chick

    On Oct 27, 2011 at 4:02 pm #

    sunny chick says:

    Pretty! :D

  2. Lynn Eileen Chicky LE

    On Oct 28, 2011 at 9:52 pm #

    Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:

    I love this design idea!!! :D Thanks so much for sharing your directions with us! :D

  3. No Photo

    On Oct 28, 2011 at 10:36 pm #

    Dinora G says:

    i love doing these types of bracelets! thanks for sharing an awesome idea!

  4. No Photo

    On Nov 04, 2011 at 12:47 pm #

    Mary S - Sweet Chick says:

    Love it!!
    And I also love your SPECIFIC instructions!
    Thank you! :-D

  5. No Photo

    On Nov 08, 2011 at 9:21 pm #

    C schnepp says:

    why do you knot the leather 4 times? What happends to the extra knots?

  6. C Roberts

    On Jun 02, 2012 at 8:02 am #

    C Roberts says:

    How do you get the “braided” effect when you wear it on the wrist?

  7. No Photo

    On Nov 26, 2012 at 7:25 am #

    L Blanchard says:

    PLEASE describe how you “braded” the bracelet and ended it!!!! I Love this bracelet!!!

Add your thoughts!

  1. No Photo

    On May 18, 2013 at 6:21 am

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