The
weather is getting warmer and the sleeves are getting shorter. Exposed
wrists are in desperate need of jewelry – some new, some old and some
handmade. This season, I’m all about making these braided brass cuffs,
inspired by Aurélie Bidermann’s Copacabana bracelet. The most
complicated step to this tutorial is drilling holes through the cuff but
if you’ve got a steady hand and a tiny drill bit, you’ll be churning
these out before you know it.
You’ll need:
- 1/2″ blank brass cuff
- 6 skeins of embroidery thread
- 1 skein of metallic gold embroidery thread
- an embroidery needle
- a rotary drill
- a drill bit
Take
6 skeins of embroidery floss, 2 of each shade of a color to create an
ombré effect. Cut them to about 2 feet each and gather, along with 3-4
strands of gold floss. Gather into a knot, leaving 2 inches of slack,
and braid the length of the bracelet. Close it with a loose knot in case
it needs to be shortened or lengthened later.
The
next step involves drilling a series of small holes along the edge of
the brass cuff. To get nice, aligned holes, I suggest putting a piece of
patterned washi tape in the inside of the cuff. I just happened to have
polka dotted tape, which was perfect to use as a guide. With your
drill, carefully drill holes separated by 10-12mm.
Remove
the tape. Thread a strand of gold floss through an embroidery needle.
Double knot the end and thread it through the bottom of the first hole.
Thread through the top of the middle of the braid and back under through
the 2nd hole. Continue weaving.
Once
you’ve reached the end, back stick the gold thread and tie it into a
knot. Shorten or lengthen the braid by undoing the knot and adjusting it
to match the other end.
Trim both ends.
And that’s all folks!
(images by HonestlyWTF; rings from Catbird & Jennie Kwon; bracelets from Campbell
Source : honestlywtf