ECT TV Episode 16: How to Make a Braided Bracelet

This week I'll teach you to make this quick and easy braided fabric bracelet!Here's the video episode:Mother's Day is coming up soon.  This bracelet would make a great present.  You can really customize it for your mom's likes, favorite colors.  You can even use special fabrics or pieces of fabric from special pieces of clothing.These are quick and simple to make and look great with a bunch stacked on your wrist!Materials and Tools:

• 3 different pieces of fabric.  (Or you can use the same fabric for all three strips.)
• Wire - you can use 20 gauge, 22 gauge or 24 gauge half hard round wire.
• 2 4mm jump rings
• Clasp
• Wire cutters
• Round nose pliers
• Chain nose pliers
• Another pair of pliers, such as bent nose pliers

Step #1Cut 3 strips of fabric about 1/2" - 3/4" wide.  Make sure the strips are long enough to go around your wrist with plenty of extra length because we'll be braiding.For a nice, neat look, cut the strips.  I wanted a more whimsical, shabby look, so I made a snip in the fabric and then ripped the rest of the way.Step #2Gather all the strips at on end.  Make sure all the right sides of the fabric are facing up.Step #3Cut off a piece of wire about 6" or so.  Wrap the wire around a couple of inches from the end of the fabric.  Pull the wire tightly to make sure that the wire won't slip off the fabric.Then continue making wraps.You don't necessarily need to make the wraps perfectly neat because I'll show you how to cover them.Step #4Using your chain nose pliers, twist the wire.Pull on the wire and fabric to make sure everything is secure.Step #5Hold one end of the wire in round nose pliers just above where you made the twist.Step #6Wrap around the pliers and in between the pliers and the twist.Step #7Take the loop off the round nose pliers and then hold the loop in chain nose pliers.Continue wrapping around and then wrap the other end.  Trim off any extra wire.Step #8Use chain nose pliers to bend the loop up.Step #9Trim off the excess fabric above the wire wrapping.  Leave enough so that the wire won't slip off.If you prefer, you could choose to leave the excess fabric.Step #10Braid the 3 fabrics together.  Keep braiding for as long as you would like your bracelet.  Remember to keep in mind the extra length the clasp will add.Step #11Follow the same process with the wire at the other end and then trim off the excess wire.Step #12I wrapped another strip of fabric around the wire and tied it tightly.Step #13Add a clasp to each side.(For help with opening jump rings, I show this in the video.)Step #14You can stop there and have a really cute bracelet!Or add some bead dangles.Step #15Add bead dangles.  For help with that, click here:  How to make a bead dangle.Step #16Add the bead dangles using a 7mm jump ring.  Just put one fabric strip into a jump ring, add a bead dangle and close.Then make a whole stack of them!---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Love bracelets?Check out my Charm Bracelet eCourse!  Starts on May 12th.  Click here for more information and to purchase:  Charm Bracelet eCourse