Faux Leather Mystery Braid - FREE Cut File

Hello, Nadine here with a tutorial making mystery braids using Silhouette's new faux leather paper.

This paper is remarkable stuff - starts as a thick, fibrous card, but transforms to a soft and strong leather-like fabric when washed.  In this tutorial, I washed it by hand in the sink with some dish detergent, but I have also machine washed and tumble dried it too.

A mystery or magic braid is a plait that is closed at both ends.  Rather than separate strands, it is made from a single piece of leather with evenly spaced slits.  This is particularly handy for belts, bracelets and hairbands, as it creates a stronger and neater finish than a regular plait with loose ends.

The free file includes mystery braid templates with for 5 and 7 strands.  There are three bracelet designs,  one with a button closure, one with plain ends that can be used with snap closures and a 7 strand one that can be fitted with a jewellery clasp.  I have also included a longer design for a headband.  The roll is 152cm long, so if you have the longer 24 inch mat, you can even make a child's belt!

What you’ll need:

• Silhouette CAMEO
• Silhouette Faux Leather Paper
• The free Silhouette compatible cut file
• Fastener of your choice

 

STEP ONE: Prepare and Cut the Design

Download the Silhouette compatible free cut file, and open the file from within Silhouette Studio. Select your chosen design and resize as required.  It's worth noting that the plait will make the final piece about 5-10% shorter depending on how tightly it has been braided.

 

Using your stickiest mat, make sure that the faux leather is well stuck down.  I used the default blade settings pre-set for faux leather and the cuts were great, but always do a test cut when using new media.

STEP TWO: Wash the Faux Leather

Wash in the sink or washing machine.

STEP THREE: Uncover the mystery

Here's a short video showing the trick to creating the mystery braid.

STEP FOUR:Fasten

Use a button, snap fastener or jewellery clasp to make the bracelet closure.  For the headband, I threaded  some fold over elastic (scretchy ribbon), through the loops and tied a flat knot which will sit at the nap of the neck.

 THE FINISHED PRODUCT 

7 Strand Mystery Braid Bracelet using a Magnetic Clasp

5 Strand Mystery Braid Closed with Wooden Button

Silhoutte Faux Leather Mystery Braid Bracelets - 5 and 7 Strand

Mystery braided braceletes with snap fastener, magnetic class and wooden button closures.

Mystery Braid Hairband with Button Bow and Pink Elastic

Mystery Braid Hairband using Fold Over Elastic (FOE) with a flat reef knot bow

Mystery Braid Hairband using Fold Over Elastic (FOE).  Faux leather plait and bow, decorated with a hotfix rhinestone

Profile  | My Blog | Pinterest

PRODUCTS USED: