J. Crew Wrap Around Bracelet {DIY}

Every time I log onto the J. Crew website or get one of their emails, I immediately want to purchase every last thing.  Their looks are so stylish yet accessible and versatile!  Unfortunately, I am not made of money and don’t have unlimited closet space, so purchasing one of every thing is not in the cards for me.  I’m always looking for a way to get some of their looks with pieces I already own or can make myself.  When I got an email a few weeks ago featuring this wrap around fabric bracelet, I knew I could make something very similar without the $22.50 price tag.

Here is what I did:

J. Crew Wrap around Bracelet DIY

You will need:

Scrap fabric – I used an old H&M top (100% cotton) I had in the Goodwill pile.

Thread in a matching color

Sewing machine (see below for a no-sew option)

Safety pin or chopstick

Needle

1. Cut your fabric of choice into 2 inch strips.  Longer strips are better, but you can always sew multiple short pieces together.

2.  If you have a sewing machine,  fold your strips in half with the pattern side in.  Sew a straight stitch along the cut edge to make a fabric tube.  Turn the tube right side out with a safety pin or chopstick.  (For an example, check this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn3YY4KYD9E).  Repeat with as many tubes as you’d like to make the bracelet length of your choice.  I had enough to make a total of about 6 feet of tubing.

3.  Sew your multiple tubes made in step 2 together to make one long tube.  To do this, I just sewed straight across and trimmed the edges to about 1/4 inch.

4.  Fold the tube in half and make a knot at the fold to create a loop big enough to stuff a knot through to create a clasp.

5.  Have a friend hold the loop or tack it to something sturdy and twist the two tubes together.  Tie a knot at the end.

6.  To make sure the twist didn’t unwind.  I took a needle and did a simple hand stitch the length of the bracelet weaving in and out of each side connecting the two strands together.  I did this very quickly, doing about one stitch every inch or so.

7.  Wrap around your wrist, put the knot through the loop and you’re set!

Alternative No-Sew Method:  If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can try to dampen the cloth strips and twist them together.  This will result in a thinner bracelet with a bit more frayed ends, but generally the same result!

If any part of my instructions were unclear, please let me know and I will try to clarify!

P.S. – Check back on Friday, I’ll be doing a DIY post on the purple ombre skirt I’m wearing!