If you are following the posts from last week, I am turning the new John Bead ultra suede strips into cuffs with crystal snaps. The Crystal Applicator allows me to add a snap closure in just seconds.
For my latest cuff I wanted to try cutting the ultra suede. I measured one side and cut openings into the suede strip with a ruler and a craft blade. The suede does cut very easily.
I then cut additional strips to weave into my cuff opening.
I decided to attach my snaps before I got any further. I would not want to make a mistake after all my sewing was done!
Sewing into the ultra suede requires some patience. The suede is thick, so you can’t just push a needle through it. I made holes with a piercer so that my needle and and thread could pass through two layers of suede. I thought I might make all the holes first, but quickly discovered that the ultra suede would “heal” quickly, so by the time I got my needle and thread to an area I had pre-peireced…it had closed up. So I worked one pierced hole at a time before piercing the suede in a second location.
I sewed on filigree connectors which I glued crystals into. I also sewed in place silver metallic 4mm beads.
Slowly but surely I managed to sew my weave and embellishments in place. I chose to line the back of the cuff with a little felt to cover my string. I used Quick Grip glue to attach it.
It is so great to have the ultra suede to work on.
Tomorrow I will show you how I used the new ultra suede to re-purpose old jewelry!
Definitely Intriging! Ideas are swirling!