Watchband - jcaroline creative
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Instructions for Reversible Watch Band

reversible watchband
Printable Version
Shown above: Watermelon 7/8" with Black Polka Dot 7/8", Blue Checkmate 7/8" and Light Navy Bubble Dot 7/8", and Surfboard 7/8" with Apple Green Soft Dots 7/8".

Materials Needed:
  • 2 lengths of 7/8" or 1" wide ribbon (9" to 11 1/2" depending on wrist size)
  • 2 7/8" or 1" D-Rings
  • 7/8" Heat 'n Bond Ultrahold
  • 1 Watch
Step 1:

Measure your wrist and add 4 1/2 inches for the watchband. (We've found that women's wrists fall between 5 1/2" to 7".) Select two ribbons that either match really well or are wildly different- whatever fits your personal taste. Also, select a grosgrain or other ribbon with some thickness- otherwise you'll find the ribbon slick and hard to work with. Do realize that even though you select ribbons of the same width (7/8" or 1"), there will be some variation in their widths-- as much as 1/8"-- so a bit of the wider one will be seen on the other side. Cut both pieces of grosgrain to the length you calculated above.

Step 1
Step 2:

Cut a piece of 7/8" Heat 'n Bond to the length of the ribbon.  If the Heat 'n Bond is wider than the ribbon, trim it down a little before you iron it-- you'll save yourself a gooey mess. Iron the Heat 'n Bond to the wrong side of the narrowest ribbon, making sure the paper backing is against the iron. Don't iron this for too long, as you can cause the Heat 'n Bond to disintegrate. Place the wider ribbon on your ironing board, wrong side up. Peel the paper backing off of the Thermweb and place the narrower ribbon, right side up, centered on the bottom ribbon. Iron until the Heat 'n Bond has melted. You can iron this much longer, as it take longer for the heat to penetrate the ribbon- steam also helps. Let it cool before you handle it. I love Heat 'n Bond, as it not only holds the pieces together for sewing, but it adds a little body like an interfacing.

 Step 2
Step 3:

If you are exceptionally particular and/or feel confident in your sewing, stitch the ribbon down both sides. The Heat 'n Bond holds pretty well, but the stitching will definitely last much longer. Again, if you are exceptionally particular, make your top thread and bobbin thread match which ribbon it will be showing on.

 Step 3
Step 4:

Hem one end of the watchband, by folding it over twice approximately 1/8" each time. You can Heat 'n Bond it and/or stitch it across the hem.

 Step 4
Step 5:

Turn the watchband over and on the other end of the watchband, place that end through the two D-rings. Fold the ribbon under approximately 1/8" and again approximately 5/8" inches. Again, Heat 'n Bond and/or stitch it across the watchband.

 Step 5
Step 6:

Put the watchband through the tabs of the watch (over, under, over). Wear and enjoy!

 Step 6
Other ideas and suggestions:

When the ribbon is doubled, the same size D-ring usually does not slip (7/8" ribbon, 7/8" D-Ring), but if you make a watchband of only a single thickness, use the next smaller D-Ring size (5/8" D-Ring for a 7/8" ribbon). Otherwise, the watchband loosens as you wear it.

Printable Version
copyright 2005 j. caroline designs, l.p.