How to revive old bangles

Even old favourites fall out of fashion eventually. We love the idea of giving new life to an old piece of jewellery. Resetting old gems is a great way to make something wearable again, but it’s definitely a job for a jeweller. If you’d like to spruce up your accessories, and get crafty yourself, re-covering chunky plastic and perspex bangles is the go. This is especially suitable for a piece that’s become too scuffed to wear with a smart outfit.
A second skin of leather or fabric will show off the shape of the bangle while covering scratches and scrapes.
How to cover a bangle
You will need
A range of plastic or perspex bangles; scissors, fabric or craft glue, a soft measuring tape (all from craft stores); pieces of fine, soft leather – printed patterns such as python work well (from leather suppliers), or heavy fabric such as brocade or oilskin cloth (from fabric stores).

1. Begin by choosing the bangles you wish to cover and matching them with pieces of leather or fabric. Chunkier bangles are an easier option for beginners. Irregular shapes look gorgeous but make it harder to achieve a smooth finish, so practise on some plain circlets first. Soft kid leather is ideal for this project. As you’re working with small pieces, you can afford to splash out on colours, prints and finishes as well as quality. Pearlised leather works beautifully, too. For those who prefer to avoid leather, try using an upholstery fabric, such as brocade, or one of the new patterned oil cloths.
2. To determine the length of leather you require, measure the circumference of the bangle by wrapping a measuring tape around the outside. Choose the longest route if it’s an irregular shape, then add 2cm for overlap at the seam. To determine the required width, measure the thickness of the band – at the widest part if it’s an irregular shape – by placing the measuring tape at the outer edge, pass it through the bangle and back to the starting point. Add 1cm for overlap at the seam.
3. Cut the leather to size, then place it right-side down on a flat surface. Spread a thin layer of glue over the leather then stand the bangle on its side at one end. Roll the bangle along the leather, smoothing as you go, until you’ve covered one quarter of its circumference.
4. Using the scissors, make a number of equally spaced straight cuts, starting at the edge of the leather and stopping 1/2cm from the edge of the bangle.
5. Working on one side at a time, fold the flaps inward, smoothing as you go, so they sit flat along the inside of the bangle. Repeat on the other side.
6. Continue rolling the bangle along the leather, covering one quarter of the circumference each time. Remember to stop and make incisions along the edges of the leather and fold the flaps inward, before moving on to the next section of the bangle.
7. To achieve a smooth finish on irregular surfaces, make the incisions closer together and carefully layer them on the inside to give a smooth effect on the outer edge. Set aside to dry.

Photography: Scott Hawkins. Styling: Peri Mooney