DIY Network

Bamboo Bracelet Create a wrist wrap with Asian flair. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-311

This exotic bangle is easy to create yourself.

Bamboo makes a great craft material: It's cheap, strong and attractive. And many bamboo accessories – like dirt-cheap placemats or wall hangings – have designs that look great in your projects.

Michele Beschen transforms some of these bamboo mats into sophisticated bracelets in this easy B. Original how-to. If you can cut a reasonably straight line, sew on a button and spread a little glue, you can have a wardrobe of wrist wraps in beautiful bamboo. Scroll down to learn how.

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Bamboo Bracelet

Materials:

bamboo mat or wall hanging
scissors
fabric tape measure
fabric tack glue
small brush
ribbon
leather cording
large buttons
needle and upholstery thread

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

• Look for bamboo placemats or wall hangings – usually found at gift shops, souvenir shops and most dollar stores – to make this project. You may even have an out-of-date wall calendar from a favorite Oriental restaurant that would work. One placemat or wall hanging can yield several bracelets.

• If the bamboo piece has a design, determine which part of that design to use for the bracelet.

• Use a tape measure to determine how much bracelet material you need. The material needs to go around your wrist comfortably, with some space for overhang.

• Determine where to cut the bamboo to get the desired design and size. Bamboo mats and wall hangings often have a few seams along the edges; your cuts should be to the outside of these.

• Decide how wide to make the bracelet. Measure and cut a length of ribbon twice as long as that width.

• Measure and lightly mark the length and width of the bracelet on the bamboo. Use fabric tack to glue the ribbon to the bamboo at the far end of that measurement (figure A). The ribbon will become the end of the bracelet and will help keep the bamboo sticks from coming apart as you cut the mat.

• Cut the bracelet stock lengthwise first – across the sticks of bamboo – to length just outside the ribbon.

• Wrap the remaining edges of the ribbon under the bracelet and glue into place to finish that edge (figure B). Glue ribbon around the other end of the bracelet as well.

• Cut a piece of leather cording about 8" long to use as a clasp for the bracelet. Slip the cording through the backside of one end of the bracelet - between the bamboo –and tie a knot to hold it in place (figure C).

• At the other end of the bracelet, use heavy duty upholstery thread to stitch two large buttons together. Be sure to criss-cross the thread through the button holes now and then to keep the buttons from sliding around. Tie off the thread, then stitch the paired buttons to the end of the bracelet opposite the leather cording.

• Tie a knot in the leather cord to finish it off; you also can add some decorative beads (figure D).

• To wear the bracelet, wrap it around your wrist and wrap the cord around the large double button (figure E)