Do you need a craft for your daughter’s next sleepover party? Then don’t throw away all your old T-shirts. T-shirts are made of jersey fabric. This stretchable, non-fraying fabric can be used for a variety of projects. Simple bangle bracelets can be made by crocheting, braiding or simply wrapping T-shirt strips around an existing bangle bracelet. You are only limited by the colors and patterns available from the T-shirts you have. Make one of each technique for a stacked bracelet effect.
Things You Will Need:
- T-shirts
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Crochet hook, size N
- Sewing machine
- Safety pin
- Bangle bracelet
- Hot glue gun
Preparing Your Jersey Strips:
Cut off the hem of a T-shirt. At an angle, cut up from the bottom, cut edge the width needed for each bracelet. Cut a continuous strip around the body of the shirt. When you have gone completely around the body, angle up and continue to cut the same strip width.
Crocheted T-shirt Bangle
Step 1
Cut your T-shirt into a 1-inch wide strip. Stretch the strip to create a curled cord. Using a size N crochet hook, and leaving a 2-inch tail, crochet 20 chain stitches. Cut the strip 2-inches from the last chain stitch. Finish off the end.
Step 2
Bring the ends of the chain together without twisting the chain. Thread the tail from the chain’s end through the first chain stitch using the crochet hook to pull it through. Thread the tail from the beginning of the chain through the last chain stitch. The first and last chain stitch will now butt up against each other.
Step 3
Using a sewing machine, sew across the chain, right where the beginning and ending chains touch. Trim away the excess from the tails.
Braided T-shirt Bangle
Step 1
Cut your T-shirt into 1-inch wide strips. Stretch the strips to create curled cords. Cut three 18-inch lengths.
Step 2
Bundle the strips together, layering the ends on one end. Insert a large safety pin through the layers, 3 inches from the end. Attach the safety pin to a couch cushion or some other object that will not move.
Step 3
Evenly braid the three strips until the braid is 8 inches long. Measure 3 inches further and cut off the excess strips.
Step 4
Bring the 3-inch tails together on each end to form a ring. Do not twist the braid. Tie the ends together in a knot. Trim the ends to 1/2 inch.
T-Shirt Wrapped Bangle
Step 1
Cut your T-shirt into a 1/2-inch wide strip. Cut the strip into a 54-inch length.
Step 2
Apply a dot of hot glue to the inside edge of a thrifted or recycled bangle bracelet. Place one end of the strip in the glue.
Step 3
Wrap the strip around the bangle, overlapping the edges. Wrap until the entire ring has been covered.
Step 4
Cut the strip. Apply a dot of hot glue to the inside of the bangle where the ends meet. Place the cut end of the strip in the glue to hold.
Charms or additional wraps can be used to further embellish and personalize the bangle bracelets.