Saturday, March 9, 2013

Wet-Felted Nylon Strapping Tape Bracelets- Part 1 of 2

Stapling strips of nylon strapping tape...

...into 8 or 9-inch circles...



...and wrapping them with variegated wool roving. 
 
Adding petals of commercial pre-felt...

...left over from this project...

 
...by sewing them on with nylon thread.

 
The idea (not very well executed here, in my first attempt)...

...is to wrap the roving evenly around the plastic strip. (!)

 
My daughter, L, did a much better job on this one. :)

 
The first two bracelets...

 
...fully felted and drying.

 
This is one of those 'whisper-down-the-lane' projects...

...where this person showed or told that person how to make them...

...and on and on until, at last, my friend described the process to me.

(My apologies to you if it's your 'invention'...

...please write to let me know and I'll give credit where credit is due!)

From nylon strapping tape (usually discarded after shipping boxes are opened)...

...make a 'bracelet sized' circle by simply stapling the tape to itself.

(When measuring: remember that it will be thicker with a layer of roving on it...

...and that it must easily fit over the widest part of your hand.)

After wrapping the tape with an even layer of roving or wool batt...

...attach or wrap handmade or commercial pre-felt rectangles or organically-shaped pieces...

...by hand-stitching them on with nylon thread.

Felting is done in the usual manner, with a bit of care taken at the beginning...

...so that the roving doesn't pull away from its nylon core.

*****************************************************************************
Since, somehow, another birthday is nearly upon me...

...I will be giving three of these bracelets to one reader to help me celebrate!

(Never fear, photos of bracelet three will appear in Part 2.)

If you would like to be entered into the drawing to win all three bracelets...

...please comment on this post or on Part 2.

The cut-off date for entry will be March 12 at Midnight EST.

Next time: I'll introduce you to bracelet number three...

...and show you better photos of all three finished bracelets!

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12 comments:

Kelly said...

I'm always amazed how trash can become a treasure! What a great way to recycle that plastic! When you make these, after felting do you pull the nylon thread out or does it become part of the bracelet? Love these!

Heather Woollove said...

Kelly--I pull it out. That's the great thing about nylon thread...it's easily removed after felting, because it doesn't felt into the piece. The plastic strapping tape, however, remains inside the felt.:)

FeltersJourney said...

OMG HEather..another Birthday?! It can't of been a whole year already? I seem to of lost a few months somewhere.. I'm sure time is speeding up!
Cute bracelets
xx

Anonymous said...

I agree, that is a fascinating way to recycle plastic strapping tape, and make something lovely and wearable with it, that will last for a long time as well. I am sure the younger generation (younger than myself that is) would love them.

Besides, they can also work double duty as wrist warmers too! :)

Unknown said...

The bracelets are really nice. I will try to make them.
Grt.Mattie

Jeany said...

It looks great heather, love the Idea!! I did that once with a little table spoon ☺ Everything is possible isn't ? have a great sunday!

Heather Woollove said...

Deborah--I know, right?!? :)
Sandie--Hahaha...yes...these bracelets are not for the faint of heart! Giggle.
Mattie--Oh, yes...do see how you do with them! :)
Janine--I cannot imagine how you used a tablespoon! I'd love to see a link or a photo sometime. They sound marvelous!!

Jeany said...

Look here Heather, I used plastic table spoons. ;)

https://plus.google.com/app/basic/photos/107335387974043531644/album/5545446014340787681?cbp=1cwiaf9i2197y&sview=20&pgpnum=22

Heather Woollove said...

Janine--Thanks for sharing the link to your terrific project so we all 'get it'! :)

Rachel said...

Looking forward to seeing number three...

Unknown said...

Super pomysł. Musze coś podobnego zrobić dla mojej córeczki.

Heather Woollove said...

Rachel--It's another 'wild' one! :)
Karolina--Oh, these would be adorable for a little girl!