Turn Trash into Treasure: Transform an Old Plastic Bangle into a Stylish Bangle Bracelet
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Is there anything better than taking old stuff and turning it into something new? Well, search your jewellery box and find those old plastic bangles you loved years ago. Then use this tutorial to upcycle them into some stylish bangle bracelets to match your current outfits.
As this tutorial is most definitely all about sustainable crafting it is part of the April sustainable craft blog hop. The theme this month is Vibrant and what could be better than vibrant bracelets made from items that you would normally throw away?
At the end of this tutorial you will find all the other fabulous vibrant crafts so take a look and be inspired!
You will need:
- plastic bangle – any size you like
- fabric strip (1″ wide)
- Glue – multi purpose or hot melt glue will work
Video Tutorial
This video is also available on my YouTube channel.
Create your new Bangle Bracelet
Cut your fabric into strips that are approximately 1″ wide. If you have a long length that is great but if you have short lengths don’t worry. You will simply have more gluing to do!
Press a small hem along one side of the fabric length. This should be approximately 1/4″. None of the measurements are crucial, they are just a guide.
Add a small amount of your chosen glue to the inside of your plastic bangle and glue one end of your fabric strip to it (wrong side of fabric against the bangle). Then wrap the fabric strip around the bangle repeatedly making sure that you use the hemmed side to cover the raw edge as you go.
If you have short lengths of fabric, as you reach the end of each strip simply glue it to the inside of the bangle. If it finishes on the outside of the bangle simply trim it to finish inside.
Then start a new strip in the same place.
Once you get back to where you started, trim the strip to length (leaving a small amount for a fold). Then glue the end of the strip over to hide the raw edge and glue it to the inside of the bangle.
Make sure your fabric strip is secure and if necessary wait for the glue to dry.
Congratulations on your stylish new DIY bangle bracelet. Now enjoy wearing it and make some more to match your other outfits. If you make your own clothes you can make them in the same fabric as your outfit!
Other Fabulous Ideas
If you are interested in making your own jewellery then I recommend you check out the bead earring tutorial and the memory wire bracelet tutorial. Both show you how to quickly and easily make your own jewellery.
For all those other fabulous sustainable crafts check out:
- How to paint your own vibrant fabric
- Vibrant Volume Decoupage Flowers DIY
- Painting Vibrant Loose Watercolor Birds
- Growing a Garden Gnome
- Upcycled Spring Sign from Bottle Caps
Remember to pin this tutorial on Pinterest so that you can find all these fabulous tutorials again!
This certainly is a creative and fun way to transform and repurpose old jewelry and fabric, Christine! Love the idea of matching outfits with jewelry! It’s great hopping with you!
Thank you. They really do look special if they match your dress or top!
I have SO many old plastic bangles! I loved them back in the day 😀
I held on to them thinking they will come back into fashion one day but a cool upcycle in the meantime would be much better than just waiting patiently! Fabulous.
Yes, we all loved them, didn’t we? They do look great especially if they are in the same fabric as your dress or top.
What a great idea! The bangles could be any color to coordinate with any outfit! -Marci @ Old Rock Farmhouse
Thank you. Yes, I love how I can make them match anything!
Wow, those are pretty bangles. I used to wear lots of bangles. I would wear three of them in one hand and feel like teenager again, lol!
Yes, I think we all had them and most of us have them hanging around somewhere.
I really like this. I have some vintage plastic bracelets (not vintage as in cool, but vintage as in old) that have edges that are rough. This would be a perfect solution to that. Thanks for the inspiration!
I know what you mean about the rough edges! This covers them all!