How to Make a Bead Embroidered Cuff Bracelet

A bead embroidered cuff bracelet could be considered a piece of wearable art. Whether free-form or pre-designed, each piece is individually created and can take many hours to complete. Making your own cuff takes patience and nimble fingers.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blank metal cuff about 1-inch wide
• Material to embroider front
• Leather or heavy soft material for backing
• Needle
• Flexible wire or strong thread for embroidery
• Beads of all shapes and sizes

1. 
   Metal cuffs from designersfindings.net

   Purchase your cuff. The cuff you chose will have a great deal to do with the design you end up with and the space you have to embroider. They come in various shapes and sizes.

2. 
   Bead embroidery sampler by Robin Atkins - robinatkins.com

   Practice your bead embroidery. If you have never tried this before, it would be good to practice on a scrap piece of fabric. The basic stitches are much like regular embroidery stitches with beads added to the thread. Cross stitch, chain stitch and fern stitch can all be done with beads. Practicing now will allow you to get a feel for the design you will be creating on the cuff itself.

3. Cut embroidery background material. Allow an additional 1/2 inch on all sides so that it will wrap around your metal cuff. Begin embroidering your design. Make sure any larger or heavier beads are securely attached.

4. Cut your backing material just larger than your metal cuff. Placing right sides together, stitch top and bottom edges together, keeping in mind that your embroidered material should extend over the backing slightly. Turn right side out. Slide the metal cuff into your material. Fold the edge material in and sew together making sure the metal cuff is tightly enclosed.

Tips & Warnings

• Once the cuff is in the material sleeve, place a dab of fabric glue in a few spots on the inside of the cuff and press the material tightly to the metal band. This will help keep it still while you complete the sewing.