fabric cuff tutorial…

Thanks for your interest in this project!  Here’s how I make fabric cuff bracelets:

Start with a piece of fabric that will be your base-something fairly sturdy-I used some plain muslin that I coffee dyed.  I actually tore the fabric, so the edges are frayed, but you can certainly cut, or hem for a neater look.  I tore because I like that look and it was easy!  The fabric is 2 inches wide. 

Measure your wrist and cut the strip 1 inch larger than your wrist.  My wrist is 7”, so I cut a 8” piece of fabric (so the fabric is 8” x 2”).

Next I fold over one end of the fabric 1/2” and stitch.  (My bracelet is now 7 1/2” x 2”). I am showing you the stitches with red thread, just so you can see them.  You will want to use a thread that matches your fabric so your stitches don’t show.

I do all my stitching on a machine using a straight stitch (cause it’s my grandmothers old machine), but you could sew by hand, or use fancy stitches.  These are not rules, just guidelines!  This folded over piece will be where we make a button hole, or where you attach snaps/Velcro, or whatever you use to close the bracelet.  I thought initially I would tie mine with ribbon, but then I thought A) ribbon might get in the way and be too bulky, and B) how would I tie it if no one was around to help me?

Before we make a button hole, I start layering my bracelet . I like my bracelets to look like a fabric collage, so you don’t have to use big pieces that go all the way across the length of the bracelet.  You can piece things together.  I start with the bottom and top, adding trims that will extend over the edge of the base fabric and hide it. I usually use a larger lace on the bottom, because it will hang down on your wrist like a ruffle, and use a smaller piece on top, that overlaps just a little. I sew the top and bottom pieces onto my base fabric, and then start playing with layering other trims.

I try to pick a color scheme and stick with it, this one is all neutral cream and white.  I play around with positioning my trims and overlapping until I get a nice layered, overlapping look.  I use bits of crochet trim and lace, seam binding and lace bias tape, rick rack...whatever you have on hand.

  

I also pick a central element to use as the focal point of my bracelet…a buckle, a piece of appliqué, or a beautiful button.  A special piece that will be the “cherry on top” of your bracelet.  I play around with all these pieces (stacking and overlapping) until it looks pleasing to me.  Then I carefully take each layer off, and starting with the bottom layer first, stitch the layers on.

 

keep layering…

Once all the layers have been sewn on, I choose a button to use for the closure (you can also use snaps, hooks, or Velcro).  If you have a machine that makes button holes, then good for you :) If you don’t, here’s what I do: Use a pencil or a disappearing ink marker (used for sewing) to mark the size of your button on the BACK side of your bracelet, on the end that has been folded and sewn.  I marked this in black ink just so you could see it.

connect the two marks with a line…

machine stitch around the line with a small stitch,I stitch around several times.  Use an exacto knife to cut a slit to make the actual hole. You will also be cutting through the lace on the front of the bracelet.

 

Sew the button on the opposite end, on the front.

Add your focal piece (button/buckle/bow, etc.) to the front center, and stitch in place.  For this one I used a flower appliqué and a rhinestone button.

You can sew another piece of fabric to the back of the bracelet to give it a more finished look if you want, but I usually don’t, so you can see my stitches on the back.

That’s it! Wear it, Give it, Love it! xo

If you have a question, you can leave it in the comments, and I will answer it in the comments as well.

Comments

[Rachael]

Awesome, thanks Suzanne! Rachaelxo

[Shelley Overholt]

Thanks!!! I love having this!!! ~Shelley

[Leanne Shawler]

Suzanne -- I make mine similarly, but I thought I would share what I do for those non-machine sewers out there:

Instead of making a button-hole, I made a ribbon loop, sizing it so it would fit securely around the button and yet not be too difficult to take on or off. This is great for wee bits of ribbon.

Also, because I handsewed, the back of my cuffs were a mess (especially where I hand-sewed on faux vintage pearls) so I took another muslin strip and sewed it over the mess. This also hid the back of the loop and made it a little more secure. I posted a bunch of my cuffs last week, but I need to learn to take better pictures!

[rachelle]

OH MY DARLING!!!!!!

they are way cute!!!

shell

gypsylemonade.blogspot.com

[Suzanne Duda]

Thank you for sharing Leanne!

Great ideas!

xo suzanne

[Susan Broyles]

I am loving those Suzanne!

[Suz Reaney]

Thanks to both of you. I am not a terrific machine sewing and I appreciate your comment, Leanne. It's also good to see you!!! Thanks, Suzanne, for making this understandable!

[Shane]

WOW!!!
I love this cuff and you make it seem so easy.
I've seen them in the Somerset magazines and thought how sweet they are - now I can create my own.

I'm visualising a black evening one, taffeta, velvet whatever with some feathers and finished with your rhinestone button - Ooh La La!

Thanks Suzanne for sharing - it's fab!

[Bryanna]

I love to see how other people make things (esp. jewelry)... it is so interesting to me to see how we all can make something similiar but yet each have our own STAMP on it. Thanks for the tutorial, you have opened my eyes up to doing a few things a little differently. Beautiful cuffs!

xo
Bryanna

[maryann]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I understand how to do it, now!! I am so happy that you took the time to share this! Thank you, Suzanne!
Hugs,
Maryann

[Alison Gibbs]

Suzanne thanks for sharing this with us.
Your bracelet is so pretty
Alison

[Barbara]

Thanks so very much for the great tutorial!! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your instructions and I look forward to making a cuff real soon!!

[kathy]

OH so lovely -- thanks for the how to -- I am a bad sewer at best -- so always love to see how people put things together -- all the little tricks make it easier -- Blessings kathy - ga ♥

[Sandra Ludwig]

Suzanne, Thanks for the tutorial. I see you hemmed the short ends of the cuff, but not the long ends. I have done it with a zigzag stitch to finish the long edges. It's interesting to see how other crafters do it.

BTW, lovely trims and laces!

[Jan]

Thank you so much for sharing, Just beautiful!

[Jemma Pirrie]

This is just marvellous! I was looking for something that showed how to make these types of shabby chic cuffs- yours are GORGEOUS! Thanks for sharing your knowledge :)

[eva]

Thank you so much for this lovely tutorial! I needed to make bridal type cuffs for a wedding my daughter is going to be in next year and had no clue. Grateful! And these are gorgeous! What lovely trims!

[priscilla]

this has been very helpful for me! i am a frustrated crafter (want to but not good), don't own a sewing machine etc. i am making my mom a fabric/lace cuff for christmas and having these instructions, i'm sure i will do just fine! i am decorating it with a few pieces of her mother's jewelry.
thank you do much!

[Casey Callahan]

Thank you for sharing your ideas and work!!!! I love it and was just what I was looking for in constructing and inspiring to make my own. <3

[Jean E. Roman]

I found this tut and it was just what I was looking for! I am so excited to make these for my daughter and friends. So gorgeous! Thank you so much, I really appreciate you kindness in sharing this project!