Plastic bottle cuff bracelets

This is a quick craft to do with kids and I bet you have everything you need right at home. Here we go!

Get a plastic bottle. I used a 2 liter bottle, but I think a smaller bottle would work even better (you'll see why later on). Carefully, cut the top and bottom off and cut it open to make a rectangular shape.

You'll need material. Any material will work. I used an old white t-shirt and part of a patterned dress of Vaughn's that didn't fit anymore. Draw designs with permanent markers.

Use duct tape to tape the bottle down to cardboard. This will keep it from rolling up onto itself. 

You'll also need tacky glue. Spread a layer all over the inside of the bottle. I used a folded up piece of magazine to spread it out because I'm high tech like that. 

Don't worry, it dries clear.

Press your already drawn on fabric, face down, onto the glue.

Let it dry completely - mine took more than a few hours.

For the kids I stuck to 1 inch wide by 5 inches long. Cut with sharp scissors or even a rotary cutter. Rounding the corners adds a nice touch also. 

If the bracelet is too loose, wrap a rubber band around it and let it sit in the sun for a few hours. I had to do this with ours. I think this is why using a smaller plastic bottle would work better than a 2 liter bottle. Or you could even use a paper punch to punch holes in the ends and tie it closed with ribbon.


Viola!

I think this project has definite jumping off potential. I'm tempted to try a more "adult" one for myself using a scrap of already patterned material and then using some sort of trim to finish the edges off. I'll keep you updated!  

By the way, I found this idea in Todd Oldham's Kid Made Modern book.


I'm linking up to these parties this week!