Monday, 21 November 2011

Ribbon Bangles (Purple)

Hello there and Happy Monday :) I am super-excited at today's blog-make. If you like the look of my bangles, they are very easy to make. There are two variations in today's post as I love purple: I can't get enough of purple!

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Many of us have a few bangles which we no longer wear but here is an opportunity to jazz them up and make yourself something pretty. This is a bangle wrapped in silk organza. Silk organza is lovely to work with and it gives that floaty feel to your bow. Just one bangle uses 3 metres of 1 inch wide purple silk organza and the how-to is further down the page.

Let's start with the velvet ribbon bangle.

All you need to make your own is:

1.5 metres of 1 inch wide velvet ribbon or 3 metres of 7mm
A bangle
Scissors
Glue

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Velvet is fantastic to work with an the end result is super-chic.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

To start, take your bangle and fold the velvet to the inside as per the photo above.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Use your thumb to hold the ribbon in place and fold the ribbon over with half overlap.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Keep the ribbon nice and taught as you wrap but don't pull so hard that the velvet distorts.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Overlap using half of the previous fold.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

You should be able to see your bangle coming to life at this stage.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Nearly there!

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

This is the very last fold so at this point you will need sharp scissors and a blob of glue.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Trim the excess so you have an end fold which is glued at the back, inside the ribbon.

*******

I love to use sheer ribbon as it is fabulous to fold and tie. This next ribbon bangle uses 3 metres of 1 inch wide purple silk organza but the overall effect is rich and classy.

*Tip: Don't skimp on your ribbon!

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Select your bangle and a ribbon which tones in well.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Unravel your ribbon and don't worry about the creases as the wrapping will disguise all of them.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

To make the ribbon bangle with a bow you will need to leave a 12 inch tail of ribbon. Fold the ribbon in and over the bangle as per the above photo.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Using your thumb and forefinger, start to wrap the organza using the half overlap technique.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Keep on wrapping!

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Your bangle's look will become apparent at this stage. If you decide you want a more pleated look, now is the time to unravel and start again with a bigger overlap. See the 'No Bow Bangle' below for an explanation.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Now, this looks fiddly but it's not.

What you need to do on your last 2 folds is to take the original 12 inch tail and, as you finish the last folds, you need to crossover the ribbons.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

The original ribbon tail which was always to the left is now the ribbon on the right.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

This photo might help to explain the crossing of the ribbons. You need to do this so there are no gaps in your folds. If you try to knot and tie a bow without crossing the ribbon, space will appear and the ribbons will separate.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Bring the tails of both ribbons to the upside of the bangle and make a basic knot with right over left...

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

...and then again with a left over right to secure it.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Tie your bow and trim your tails.

Ta Dah! You have made yourself a ribbon bangle. If you make one, be generous with your ribbon and add a flourish such as a huge bow or trim and keep it plain.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

This is the 'No Bow Bangle'. It's the same ribbon-wrapped bangle but with no bow. To achieve this heavily pleated look, I made the overlap about two thirds.

By using a very fine sheer, a smaller overlap will not create bulk on the inside of your finished bangle. To do this, simply tie off your tails on the inside of the bangle and trim.

Lella Loves... Ribbon Bangles

Both of these ribbon-wrapped bangles only took an hour to make. I chose to make one with a bow and one without as I like to stack my bangles, wearing two or three at a time. Two bows would be 'too much look'.

Here is a link to one of the best ribbon stockists you will ever find online:

http://www.vvrouleaux.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=47

Browse their ribbon category and drool!

Do let me know if you make your own. I enjoy reading your comments if you have attempted one of my blog-makes.

Pop back soon.








Lella  xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

1 comment:

  1. The velvet ribbon bangle is really gorgeous. Fab idea!
    --Flombi--

    ReplyDelete

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