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Segmented Fashion Bracelets

These are instructions on how to embroider and assemble the Segmented Fashion Bracelets.

There are 2 parts in the set. Part 1 is a lace part, and should be embroidered as freestanding lace, described below.

Part 2 should be embroidered on leather or leatherette. We used genuine leather 1.5-2 mm thick (2 - 3 oz).

You will also need jewelry clasps and/or snaps, rivets, beads or crystals to your taste. Some leather tools, such as pliers, are optional but helpful.

Using threads, leather and embellishments of different colors and styles you can get an endless variety of bracelets from bridal wear to fashion jewelry to steampunk and other costume accessories. You can also make the bracelets longer to create choker-type necklaces.

Lace Part:	Leather Part:

Stitches: 3876 Size: 50 x 44 mm Colors: 2	Stitches 526 Size: 42 x 37 mm Colors: 1

For both parts:

Stabilizers: We recommend to use water-soluble mesh, such as Vilene. Vilene D0102 is a non woven dissolvable stabilizer which is imported into the US, is sold in large rolls and is sometimes packaged under different brand names. Some of these brand names are Fabri-Solvy by Sulky, Avalon Plus by Madeira, Wash-Away, and Aqua Magic.

Film-like water soluble stabilizers, such as Solvy by Sulky, Avalon by Madeira and Badge Master are not suitable for Free-Standing Lace embroidery.

For the Lace Part Only:

Threads: The thinner the thread, the finer the final product will be. That is why for this project we recommend cotton thread, which gives bulk to the lace and makes it look hand-made.

Embroidery polyester thread will make very fine web-like lace.

Embroidery rayon thread is too soft, it does not keep its shape and very often its color fades under the influence of chemicals from the water-soluble mesh.

For this project we recommend to use 40-, 50-weight cotton thread for machine quilting.

We used Signature machine quilting cotton thread, but similar threads from other companies should work just as well.

To get two-sided embroidery, use threads of the same color in the needle and in the bobbin.

Needles: We use size 80/12 embroidery needles and 80/12 metallic needles. Our experience shows that cotton thread used with metallic needles gives less lint. The needles should be sharp, so it's advisable to change them often.

Most Importantly: ALWAYS make a test stitch-out of the design and wash away the stabilizer. This helps you to select the threads, needles, stabilizers and settings of your machine correctly. DO NOT embroider several designs in one hoop.

Washing out the Stabilizer:

Rinsing away the stabilizer is an important step, because the lace can be stretched or distorted if this is done incorrectly. We recommend to use a foam board and stainless pins.

Cut away the excess stabilizer close to the stitches. Take your time and carefully pin every single loop on the lace's outer edge to the board.

Now place the board into a bowl with luke-warm water. Leave the board in the water for at least half an hour. Change the water a couple of times.

This is a stitch-out of another design. It's used for demonstation purposes only.

For the leather part:

Depending on the thinkness of the leather, we recommend either 80/12 or 82/14 needles and polyester embroidery threads.

You can also use medium-weight tear-away stabilizer instead of water-soluble mesh. Hoop stabilized leather and embroider part 2 as many times as needed.

The Bridal Bracelet.

We made the bridal bracelet using part 1 only.

Embroider part 1 using cotton thread in the needle and in the bobbin. To get the bracelet 8" long embroider the part 13 times.

Wash away the stabilizer and air dry the stitch-outs as described above.

Start assembly by inserting the "tongue" of the next part into the arch-shaped opening of the previous part.

Semultaneously thread a sewing needle with a matching thread and join the parts with a baste stitch as shown.

Decorate the bracelet and disguise the stitches with pearl cabouchons. We simply glued them over the stitches. Alternatively you can use beads and sew them onto the"tongues" of the lace.

Add jewellry clasps to the ends of the bracelet.

"Steampunk" Bracelet.

For this bracelet you need to embroider both lace and leather parts. To get a bracelet 8" long embroider the lace 8 times and leather part 7 times.

Wash away stabilizer and prepare the lace parts.

Cut out the leather parts as close to the stitches as possible. Cut away the arch-shaped opening inside the part.

Alternating the lace and the leather parts, assemble the bracelet by inserting the "tongue" of the next part into the arch-shaped opening of the previous part.
Secure the parts together with rivets, as shown on the photo below. We inserted rivets with gem heads into the "tongues" of the lace parts...