How to Make a Shirt Cuff Bracelet

Here's a cool use for those old shirts that no longer fit or have an irreparable tear or stain: turn the cuffs into funky bracelets that express your fashion sense and personal style. Try this technique to design the jewelry with a few basic supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Old dress shirt
• Scissors
• Seam ripper
• Decorative button
• Needle and thread
• Decorative trim or ribbon
• Rhinestones or sequins
• Fabric paint or markers

Instructions

1. Use sharp scissors to trim the cuffs off an old shirt. Cut along the line where the cuff attaches to the shirt sleeve, but try not to snip the seam of the cuff to keep it from unraveling.

2. Adjust the button if you're using a cuff from a shirt that's too big for you. Remove the existing button and thread with sharp scissors or a seam ripper. Wrap the cuff around your wrist to the desired size and mark the spot for the new button with a pen.

3. Choose a decorative button that will fit through the existing buttonhole in the cuff. Use a needle and thread to attach it securely.

4. Open the cuff flat to decorate the fabric. Stitch beaded trim, lace or textured ribbon around the bottom to cover the rough edge where you clipped it from the shirt. Cover the cuff with rhinestones, metal studs or sequins, or use the accents to form a signature shape or monogram. Use fabric paint or markers to doodle, add your signature or create a minimural on the cuff bracelet.

Tips & Warnings

• Also look for men's and women's shirts created with colorful textured fabrics at yard sales and secondhand shops. The size and condition of the actual shirt won't matter since you'll be using only the cuffs.