Difference between revisions of "Braid Leather"
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#Grab the lower end of the strip and bring it up and toward you. Pass it between strands 2 and 3. Pull the end of the strip down from the other side so that it is back in its original position. | #Grab the lower end of the strip and bring it up and toward you. Pass it between strands 2 and 3. Pull the end of the strip down from the other side so that it is back in its original position. | ||
#* Looping the strip through strands 2 and 3 will bend it, making it so that the individual strips are twisted and easier to braid. | #* Looping the strip through strands 2 and 3 will bend it, making it so that the individual strips are twisted and easier to braid. | ||
| − | #* If done correctly, your strip of leather should have a kink throughout the middle and should not lie flat. You should also be able to see through the slits you made earlier.<ref>http://www.craft-time-ideas.com/80511/info.php?p=18</ref> | + | #* If done correctly, your strip of leather should have a kink throughout the middle and should not lie flat. You should also be able to see through the slits you made earlier.<ref name="rf1">http://www.craft-time-ideas.com/80511/info.php?p=18</ref> |
#Pass strand 1 over strand 2 starting at the top of the leather strip. Insert strand 1 into the slit between strands 2 and 3. | #Pass strand 1 over strand 2 starting at the top of the leather strip. Insert strand 1 into the slit between strands 2 and 3. | ||
#* If done correctly, strand 1 should rest behind strand 3. | #* If done correctly, strand 1 should rest behind strand 3. | ||
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#Pass strand 2 over strand 3. There should now be a gap between strands 2 and 3 at the bottom of the braid. | #Pass strand 2 over strand 3. There should now be a gap between strands 2 and 3 at the bottom of the braid. | ||
#Bring the lower end of the strip up and toward you again. Loop it through the gap between strands 2 and 3 and pull it back down. | #Bring the lower end of the strip up and toward you again. Loop it through the gap between strands 2 and 3 and pull it back down. | ||
| − | #* Doing this "un-loops" the kink you made earlier in step 3 and completes 1 braiding cycle. The braid itself should now be kept to the top of the strip.<ref | + | #* Doing this "un-loops" the kink you made earlier in step 3 and completes 1 braiding cycle. The braid itself should now be kept to the top of the strip.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Repeat steps 4-6 for braiding the individual strands. Make sure you pass the lower end of the strip through strands 2 and 3 to complete the braiding cycle, as demonstrated in step 7. | #Repeat steps 4-6 for braiding the individual strands. Make sure you pass the lower end of the strip through strands 2 and 3 to complete the braiding cycle, as demonstrated in step 7. | ||
#* If you opted to braid a 9 inch x 3 inch leather strip, you should be done braiding after 2 cycles total. | #* If you opted to braid a 9 inch x 3 inch leather strip, you should be done braiding after 2 cycles total. | ||
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#Take strand C and pass it to the right over strand B. From left to right, strands should be ordered normally: A, B, C, D. You have completed 1 cycle of the braiding process. | #Take strand C and pass it to the right over strand B. From left to right, strands should be ordered normally: A, B, C, D. You have completed 1 cycle of the braiding process. | ||
#* Tighten the braids in the same manner as you did in step 7. You will need to do this after each braiding cycle to ensure that your braid is tight and won't come apart. | #* Tighten the braids in the same manner as you did in step 7. You will need to do this after each braiding cycle to ensure that your braid is tight and won't come apart. | ||
| − | #Repeat steps 3-11 until you have used the desired amount of leather.<ref>http://friendship-bracelets.net/tutorial.php?id=1295</ref> Since this process is very detail-oriented, it is suggested that you start with shorter length strands. | + | #Repeat steps 3-11 until you have used the desired amount of leather.<ref name="rf2">http://friendship-bracelets.net/tutorial.php?id=1295</ref> Since this process is very detail-oriented, it is suggested that you start with shorter length strands. |
#Tie the end of the braid once you have finished. You might tie the remaining loose strands to another key-chain ring, similar to the top end. This is an easy way to adjoin the opposite ends to make a bracelet or necklace. | #Tie the end of the braid once you have finished. You might tie the remaining loose strands to another key-chain ring, similar to the top end. This is an easy way to adjoin the opposite ends to make a bracelet or necklace. | ||
=== Using the Hair Braiding Technique === | === Using the Hair Braiding Technique === | ||
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#Fashion a bracelet from your braided leather. This can be achieved in multiple ways, some more fancy than others. | #Fashion a bracelet from your braided leather. This can be achieved in multiple ways, some more fancy than others. | ||
#* As outlined in the 4-strand braiding method, you could tie the opposite ends of the braid to key-chain rings and connect the rings afterwards to form a bracelet. While this method is easiest, it may not look the most appealing. | #* As outlined in the 4-strand braiding method, you could tie the opposite ends of the braid to key-chain rings and connect the rings afterwards to form a bracelet. While this method is easiest, it may not look the most appealing. | ||
| − | #* Alternately, you could take the trick braided leather and puncture a small hole in the intact, 3/4 inch ends. Run a regular strand of leather through each hole and tie the ends off into knots. Adjust the size of the regular leather strand to better fit your wrist.<ref | + | #* Alternately, you could take the trick braided leather and puncture a small hole in the intact, 3/4 inch ends. Run a regular strand of leather through each hole and tie the ends off into knots. Adjust the size of the regular leather strand to better fit your wrist.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #* To make a high quality, professional looking bracelet, hold the ends of your braid together so that they line up (this won't be necessary for the trick braid). Take a pinch crimp — which can be purchased at most jewelry shops — and place your braided ends inside of it. Use a pair of pliers to squeeze the pinch crimp shut over the ends. Now you're bracelet has metal ends like store-bought jewelry!<ref>http://www.bubbyandbean.com/2012/03/diy-tutorial-braided-leather-wrap.html</ref> | + | #* To make a high quality, professional looking bracelet, hold the ends of your braid together so that they line up (this won't be necessary for the trick braid). Take a pinch crimp — which can be purchased at most jewelry shops — and place your braided ends inside of it. Use a pair of pliers to squeeze the pinch crimp shut over the ends. Now you're bracelet has metal ends like store-bought jewelry!<ref name="rf3">http://www.bubbyandbean.com/2012/03/diy-tutorial-braided-leather-wrap.html</ref> |
#Make a necklace using the same end connections as the bracelet. Though your necklace will differ mostly from your bracelet length-wise, you can add other accessories to customize it. | #Make a necklace using the same end connections as the bracelet. Though your necklace will differ mostly from your bracelet length-wise, you can add other accessories to customize it. | ||
| − | #* Find some beads with holes that run through them. You could run the braid through a single, tubular bead so that it sits in the middle, almost like a pendant.<ref>http://www.cantstopmakingthings.com/2013/06/round-leather-braid-necklace.html</ref> Or, you could fill the entire bottom portion of the braid with various colored beads so that only half of the braid is showing. | + | #* Find some beads with holes that run through them. You could run the braid through a single, tubular bead so that it sits in the middle, almost like a pendant.<ref name="rf4">http://www.cantstopmakingthings.com/2013/06/round-leather-braid-necklace.html</ref> Or, you could fill the entire bottom portion of the braid with various colored beads so that only half of the braid is showing. |
#* Instead of beads, put a locket on your braid. Place your picture inside and give it to a special someone as a token of your friendship. Or, you could find letter pendants and use them to spell your name across the bottom of the braid. The possibilities are virtually endless! | #* Instead of beads, put a locket on your braid. Place your picture inside and give it to a special someone as a token of your friendship. Or, you could find letter pendants and use them to spell your name across the bottom of the braid. The possibilities are virtually endless! | ||
#Use a tiny braid as a leather ring. Once you become an expert at braiding normal-sized strands, challenge yourself by braiding even smaller ones. | #Use a tiny braid as a leather ring. Once you become an expert at braiding normal-sized strands, challenge yourself by braiding even smaller ones. | ||
