[NFB-Krafters-Korner] Jewelry making with cords

[carcione at access.net]

Thanks Jewel.  This sounds doable.  
When you fold the braid and sew it down, do you also tie an overhand knot at the end to tie off the braid?  Or do you sew it in such a way that all the cords are secure and no knot is required?  If you tie a knot, and glue it, how short can you cut the cords after the knot?

I just bought a square kumihimo loom, and I have a pattern for a flat braid with beads.  I'm very excited to try it, but I want to have an idea how I'll finish it before I start.
Tracy



-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-Krafters-Korner <nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jewel Gaspard via NFB-Krafters-Korner
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 10:59 AM
To: nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
Cc: Jewel Gaspard <nxg1719 at gmail.com>
Subject: [NFB-Krafters-Korner] Jewelry making with cords

Hi, I wanted to mention that for kumihimo and other braids, another technique for ending it is to fold the braid over and sew it down to more braid. If you add a small ring to one or all of the cords before sewing the ends down, you'll have something to attach a clasp to. Also, depending on what you are making, you may find adding something before finishing the braid to be helpful, though I'm not sure how that would work with jewelry except maybe the clip on the end of a lanyard or a ring to add a pendant to later. To do this, you can do one of two things. The first option is if you want the hardware at the end of your braid and you don't want a tie-off so that it is stronger. This would work well for something like a bracelet or necklace perhaps, for the first part of the clasp. Use half the number of cords with twice the length (so if you have an eight-cord braid and need two feet of cord, you'll want four cords of. four feet each). This only works if you have the same colors across from each other, though, so be aware of that. It works great for the double spiral for example, but would not work for a pattern that at has an odd number of one color or the cords are mixed a lot. If you put the hardware on one of the cords then put half of the cord on each of two bobbins, the hardware will be firm in place and secured by the braid itself. YOu'll still need to add the other hardware on the other side, though, for jewelry. I do this technique with shorter leashes and with collars so the buckle or snap hook is secured firmly and the pull of a dog doesn't break the stitches, but the other end of a leash is a loop handle and the other end of a collar is. sewn down for slipping through the buckle, so there's not another hardware on the opposite side to worry about.
The other option is for in the middle of the braid, such as a ring for a pendant or a clip for a lanyard. You can pause in your braid and add the hardware to one of the cords, then incorporate it into the braid as you continue. Just make sure that it can either fit through the center hole or tht you put it on in such a way as to get it to the other side or you r braid will not be able to hang properly. You could also do this on the ends, but keep in mind you'll want to sew down the ends fter the hardware to smooth out the braid ends.
I hope this makes senses sense. I am not a fan of end caps. I do have them and have used them, but I preer to do braids that don't require end caps or find techniques that avoid them, such as the two above. Since I mostly make larger braids for leashes, collars, and the ilk, it works for me. I imagine sewing down a tiny braid might be a bit troublesome unless you have very good sewing skills!
~Jewel
Be good. IF you can’t be good, be good at it.
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