How to Make a Pearl and Leather Wrapped Bracelet

Pair pearls and leather to make a bracelet appropriate for dressy or casual occasions.

Big-name designers sell leather wrap bracelets for hundreds of dollars, but a thrifty crafter can make one for a fraction of the cost. When fully extended, a pearl and leather wrapped bracelet looks like two parallel lengths of leather cord with a strand of pearls running between them. The bracelet may stretch as long as a necklace or belt -- and may even be worn as such. As a bracelet, it loops two to five times around the wrist.

Things You'll Need

• 6 mm pearls
• 2 yards leather cord
• Thread
• Large button
• Beading needle
• Scissors
• Clipboard
• Beading or fast-drying glue (optional)

Instructions

Preparation

1. Cut 10 to 12 feet of thread and poke one end through the eye of the beading needle. Fold the thread in half and knot the ends together, forming a two-ply length of thread with a needle on one end and a knot on the other.

2. Fold the cord in half. Align the knotted end of the thread with the folded end of the cord.

3. Using the diameter of the button as a guide, tie an overhand knot at the folded end of the cord to form a loop that will serve as a button hole. Make sure the overhand knot includes both the folded end of the cord and the knotted end of the thread.

4. Clamp only the loop in the clipboard, leaving the cords and threaded needle hanging loose. Arrange the cords and thread so the thread hangs between the two lengths of cord. The clipboard anchors the knotted end and serves as the work surface.

Add Pearls

1. In a figure-8 motion, guide the threaded needle under the left cord and back over the left cord, then guide it under the right cord and back over the right cord. Pull the thread taut.

2. Repeat Step 1 five times, keeping stitches taut, close to each other and close to the knot.

3. At the end of the last figure 8, guide the needle over the right cord as before but thread a pearl onto it. Slide the pearl down the thread until it rests snugly between the two cords.

4. Without disturbing the pearl's placement, guide the needle under the left cord and over the left cord. Slide the needle through the same pearl, entering the same hole the needle exited before. As the needle point emerges through the hole on the right side of the pearl, slide the needle beneath the right cord and over the right cord.

5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 with additional pearls until the beaded cord achieves the desired length.

6. Repeat Steps 1 and 2, keeping stitches close together and close to the last pearl. Do not use additional pearls.

Finish

1. Thread the button onto one of the cords and slide the button to rest against the figure-8 stitches.

2. Secure the button in place by tying an overhand knot that includes both lengths of cord as well as the thread. Slide the knot tightly against the button. Trim any excess cord and thread.

3. Free the loop from the clipboard and trim only the thread, leaving the cord loop intact to serve as a buttonhole. Slide the button through the loop to clasp the bracelet ends together.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the threads and cords taut and the beads close together. If desired, dot beading glue or fast-drying glue along the cord to hold the threads in place and further secure the pearls.

• Consider using contrasting cord and thread colors or alternating metal beads with pearls for a striking look.

• An elaborate or complementary button may enhance the design of the bracelet.

• Consider using a jumbo, oblong bead instead of a button for closure.

• Before finishing, wrap the beaded cords around the wrist experimentally to judge desired length.

• The loop serving as a button hole should be just large enough to allow the button to pass through it sideways. Otherwise the bracelet will not clasp properly.

References

• Chic Steals: Inspired Alert! Alloy.com Kali Wrap Bracelets vs. Chan Luu Wrap Bracelets; April 2011
• Rings and Things Blog: How to Make Wrapped Leather Bracelets
• Make Bracelets Blog: Beaded Wrap Bracelets -- Still Hip or So Yesterday?; January 2011
• Nina Designs: Large Hole Pearls Make Great Wrap Bracelets; July 2011
• SewPetiteGal: Leather Wrap Bracelet Video Tutorial
• Chan Luu: Wrap Bracelets