Creating Closed Circles

There are a variety of ways to make closed circles and a number of reasons you might want to make them.  Common reasons for wanting to make closed circles are:  bangle bracelets, other jewelry decorations, or interior design decorations.  You might have your own reasons for wanting to make some.

Whatever your reason, let’s look at some of the methods and materials that can be used to make the basic circle.  In my research I’ve found makers that have used a variety of materials to create the basic circle shape and then they have joined the circle, padded it (if it wasn’t thick enough) wrapped it, and decorated it. For example, the necklace in the upper right example, uses rubber tubing that is glued into circles and then wrapped with dyed silk ribbon and attached to Kumihimo cord.

Ways to make Bangle Bracelets

1.       Howto: Stackable Bangles DIY      bare bones method using zip ties, then wraps with fabric and adds wire and beads  (video is short and easy)

2.      ZipTie Bangle Bracelet   Same method but maker adds quilt batting to pad zip tie before wrapping with fabric and adds decorative yarns as well as wire and beads

3.      Eco-Friendly DIY: How toMake Yarn-Wrapped Bracelets Using Plastic Grocery Bags   Very short and easy recycled project using bread wrapper.

4.     

If you are using Clothesline, you can sew the ends together. Clothesline has a core and you can remove a section from one send so that you can overlap the end and the braided outer layer will lay flat and it can be sewn down. now the closed circle can be wrapped (padded first if you like.

 

  

 (197) How to: Ropeand Tassel Bangles - YouTube  short video showing you how to make a bracelet from synthetic rope wrapped with fabric, decorated with thread and embroidery floss tassel.

Making Interior Design Decorations

1.     
Instagram   this quick video shows wrapping several cotton cords to make the circle which is glued and then secured with a gathering wrap.

2.      Comofaço um cocar têxtil inspirado no cocar indígena?  This video is from my macrame stash so it may not be of interest to some of you.  I turned on English subtitles and essentially it is just one knot over and over again.  You need to make it over a large diameter piece of rope or a dowel so that you can weave in ends to join your circle at the end.  It isn’t wrapping or emballage but it sure it lovely to look at.

3.       You can get braided rope or cotton piping (most commonly used for upholstery) that is up to an 1’ in diameter but this can be fairly expensive to purchase. This can be formed into circles and glued or stitched closed then wrapped.

I hope that gives you a few ideas on ways to make closed circles for wrapping with fiber.  Have fun!

Some Creative Goodies

 

1. Creating wall art using Styrofoam balls.  (196) This Macrame Wall ArtDIY is so easy, you'll be doing it in no time! - YouTube

You can use liquid starch as a stiffener as an alternative.  The stiffener isn’t absolutely necessary, but it apparently does make things easier and keeps the individual strings hanging straighter and prevent them from tangling so much (from the research that I’ve done).  If you are just making one, you can use a ring, like the pictured steps below.

When you finished your first gather wraps, you can add the Styrofoam ball.

 

2. I found  the artist for the fantasy floral wrapping involving pompoms, I mentioned at the Zoom Gather and Stitch. I kept on searching and finally found a pin that credited the maker. It is also created by Mandi Smethells. (Admission: I hadn’t viewed all her posts – I’d looked at her reels for technique ideas that she generously shares, but hadn’t viewed all her stills)

 Her Instagram is on your Artist list. For anyone interested, we can discuss how something like this can be created.

 

3.  Interesting idea for wall art:  Use thicker rope and arrange it in a pleasing configuration.  Use the gathering wrap in colours of your choice to join it together where the rope touches. Unravel the ends and tie to driftwood or a dowel.   Simple, but effective.