DIY: statement bow cuff

e a s y ][ 30 minutes
cost: craft foam is usually 2 sheets/$1; velcro or snaps for $2-3; adhesives $?
shop at: craft stores (Michael's, Jo-ann Fabrics, AC Moore...)
read: the instructions once though before you get started

This one is great because it's cheap, quick, & fab!
Which means you can make it in oodles of colors!
It looks like a bow, but it's not a legit knotted bow.

SUPPLIES
- scissors
- a sheet of craft foam
- scotch tape
- a small amount duct tape
- strong glue (I used Beacon Adhesives FABRI-TAC)
- sew-on velcro or: snaps, needle & thread

1. Cut a small strip of foam, 3/4" of an inch (1.5cm) wide & 3 1/2 inches (7.5cm) long. Set aside. Also snip a small (smaller than the small foam strip) piece of duct tape. Set aside. You will need these later.

2. Cut a strip of craft foam 2-3 inches (5-7cm) wide, & make it long enough to fit around your wrist, with an inch (2.5cm) or so more for overlap. I made mine about 9 inches (23cm) long. (I have teensy wrists) You can always trim it later if it's too long.

2. Use a piece of scotch tape temporarily to make a tube out of the foam strip. You should be able to slide your hand in & out of the tube fairly easily.

3. Ok, this is the slightly confusing part. (You should have seen me trying to figure this one out, rofl.) Across from the scotch tape, use your right thumb & middle finger to pinch the top and bottom halves into each other. The crease should be near the middle.

4. Use your left hand to pinch the inner bulk steady. Hold it there.

5. Using your right hand again, fold the top & bottom back over themselves.

The inside of the cuff will look like this:

Can you see the bow forming?

6. Holding the cuff bow in place, wrap the small strip of foam from step 1 around the center. You're making another little tube, basically. This is the "knot" of the bow.

7. Tuck each end of the small strip into its little "shelf" behind the bow on the foam cuff. Keep pinching it all together!

8. Grab the small piece of duct tape & use it to hold together all the layers on the inside of the bow. (You could also use foam craft glue & hold it in place until the glue dries, or stitch it with a needle & thread. I find that the duct tape falls off after a few hours.)

9. Now to work on closure.

[Shorten length of cuff if needed for good fit]
To complete the cuff, glue the velcro strips in place. Let dry for an hour or so before ripping the velcro open & shut a lot.

10. Finished!
You can wear it plain as a graphic simple piece,
or deck it out with stickers and doodles for a younger look.

NOTES: This cuff will probably feel different than most of your jewelry. It is a big stiff bow, after all, haha. It's not a good piece to wear during gym class or in the pool. But to a party or out with friends? Sure! & if you lose it, it's not a big deal. Just make another!

VARIATIONS: Play with the length & width of the foam to create different bow shapes. I'm sure an "inside-out" version would be rad, too! Try using craft felt, big ribbon, laminated paper, or other materials! Find stuff around your house to experiment with if you can't get to a craft store right away.

LINKS TO SUPPLIES:
craft foam sheets ["foamies"! lol] are usually displayed on a rack like this, near the felt:
http://www.polyvore.com/foamies/thing?id=9633706
glue: http://www.acmoore.com/p-28816-fabri-tac-permanent-adhesive-4-ounce.aspx#
velcro: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2853&PRODID=prd10496

be sure to check out my other projects!

DIY #1
♥ I worked really hard on this tutorial. It took a long time to prepare.
I was inspired by an item I saw on bleudame.com,
but I came up with the instructions & material ideas all on my own.
So if you see this anywhere else, it's not the original.
original polyvore post date: 8/7/09