Reader's craft idea: button bracelets

These bracelets are a simple and stylish thing to make - ideal to sell at a fête

 

This beautiful bracelet idea is from one of our readers, jewellery designer/maker AngelEden, who says: ‘I have found that both adults and children enjoy wearing these. I have made pretty pastel coloured ones for girls and dark coloured for boys.'

 

You will need

● Waxed cotton or good-quality string

● Four-hole buttons, enough to go around your wrist, about 1cm wide

● Masking tape

● Glue

 

How to make

Cut the waxed cotton or string to a length of about 80cm and fold in half. Tie a single knot in the folded end to form a loop. Before pulling this tight make sure that your loop is the right size for one of the buttons to pass through. Take care that the loop is not too large as this may cause the bracelet to come undone.

 

To make it easier to thread the buttons you can fix the looped end to your table with some masking tape. Have the two loose ends of cord facing you and thread through two of the holes in the button from behind, with the cord coming out at the front. Cross the cord and thread diagonally through the other two holes in the button from the front to the back and pull tight.

 

Repeat the previous step with as many buttons as you need to go round your wrist.

 

Once you have the correct length, tie a reef knot behind the last button. A reef knot is achieved by passing the right-hand cord over the left and passing it under to knot, then passing the left cord over the right and under to give a second knot.

 

Pull the knot tightly. If you have any suitable glue it is a good idea to place a little glue on the knot. Once this is dry cut the ends and your bracelet is finished.

 

The loop that you made at the beginning will now be used to go over the last button to fasten the bracelet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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