Dyed Button Cuff Bracelet

Dyed Button Cuff Bracelet

designed by Elaine Schmidt
 
Cuff bracelets make a dramatic fashion statement, especially when made out of buttons dyed in your favorite colors!  Did you know you can dye buttons? Most buttons are made out of some type of nylon or plastic, and Rit is one of the few dyes that will color these materials. Select different sizes and shapes of white buttons, dye them and sew them to a wide piece of elastic. It’s so much fun and no one will have a bracelet quite like yours!
 

Supplies Needed

For Dyeing
  • Rit Liquid Dye:  Golden Yellow, Sunshine Orange, Tangerine, Scarlet, Fuchsia, Apple Green, Dark Green, Evening Blue, Tan
  • 39 White buttons, assorted sizes (Blumenthal Lansing Favorite Findings #2011)
  • Measuring Cup 
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Disposable Plastic Containers for dyeing buttons
  • Spoon for mixing dyes 
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Plastic Table Cover
  • Paper Towels
For Sewing
  • Black elastic, 1-1/2” wide by  8” – 10”
  • Tape measure
  • Black heavy weight thread
  • Embroidery needle 
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine (optional)

Dyeing Instructions

1.  Cover work surface with a plastic table cover.  
 
2.  Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 2 teaspoons liquid dye with 1 cup hot water. Shake liquid dyes before measuring.  Water should be about 140 F.  If your tap water is not hot enough, heat some in the microwave or a tea kettle. Always test color with fabric scrap or paper towel before dyeing buttons.  If color is too light, add more dye; if it is too dark, add more water.
 
3.  Pour dye and water into a plastic container; stir.  Make sure container is deep enough so the dye solution covers the buttons.
 
4.  Immerse buttons in dye solution for 2 to 5 minutes.  Stir occasionally and check color frequently.  Remove buttons when desired color is achieved.  Rinse buttons.  Then wash with soap and water, rinse and dry with paper towels.
 

Sewing Instructions

1.  To determine how much elastic you need to make your bracelet, measure your wrist and add a total of 1-1/2” extra.  This total measurement allows for 3/4” of ease and 3/4” seam allowance.  Cut the elastic to this length.  
 
2.  Form elastic into a circle and overlap cut edges by 3/8”.  Using wide zig-zag machine stitches or hand stitches, securely stitch the overlapped seam together, forming the bracelet base.  
 
 
3.  Thread needle with double thread and knot ends.  Working from the outside of elastic base, insert needle where first button will be stitched.  Take a small stitch and bring the needle back out to the outside of the elastic.  This will allow for the knot to be covered by the first button.  Stitch the first button onto the elastic with several passes through the button holes.  Securely knot and cut the thread close to the elastic.  
 
 
4.  Select a second button to stitch to the elastic.  For added color and detail, a small button can be placed in the center of a larger button and stitched together as one.  Stitch  buttons to the elastic going through the holes several times.  Knot thread securely and cut ends.   
 
 
5.  Continue sewing buttons onto the elastic.  Place the buttons close together so that they overlap and completely cover the elastic.  
 
 
6.  Securely sew each button on individually so that when the elastic stretches the thread will not break.  Extend the buttons beyond the edge of the elastic so no elastic shows when the bracelet is worn.  Sew on enough buttons to completely cover the elastic.  Vary the sizes and color of the buttons.  For added interest, stack two or three buttons together and sew them onto the elastic as a group.
 
 

Details