Back when I was primarily working on Handwoven, when Easy Weaving with Little Looms was a side project, we put together an issue for which we needed a tapestry project. We needed somebody who could create something small, accessible, and also, ideally, wearable. Somebody suggested we contact Sarah Neubert, and boy howdy, am I glad we did! She designed for us a sweet and clever little cuff bracelet.
This bracelet could have been simply striped, but instead, Sarah used the opportunity to showcase the meet-and-separate technique. With meet-and-separate, two weft yarns enter from opposite sides of the shed, meet, and then return without overlapping. (I like to think of it as a brief kiss as opposed to the weft-wrapped hug that comes from clasped weft.) The meet-and-separate technique is perfect for this project because it’s so small scale any slits left in the tapestry aren’t noticeable.
If you’re thinking of weaving tapestry but don’t know where to start, this project is perfect. You don’t need an actual tapestry loom, just a frame (although a tapestry loom does make things easier)—don’t worry, warping instructions are included! This bracelet project is also a great way to practice selvedges as well as the aforementioned meet-and-separate technique. Even better, once you’re done, you’ve got a sampler you can wear!
The amount of thought Sarah put into this simple little project really showcases her ability as a teacher to think like a student. Not only is her cuff bracelet beautiful and clever, but it’s also approachable and completely doable for even the newest of weavers. Her attention to color and patterning is exquisite—even though this project is six-almost-seven years old, it’s still just as attractive now as then.
Sarah Neubert designed her bracelet in a classic design and color palette.
Last year, I had the distinct privilege of getting to spend some time talking with Sarah at our Weave Together with Handwoven event in Loveland, Colorado, and it was such a delight. Seeing more of her work was such an inspiration. My favorite piece of hers was an armchair—that’s right, an armchair. It had been damaged somehow down the line and instead of trying to reupholster it using matching fabric, she used bright, chunky yarns and basic tapestry techniques to create a patch job that is so much more. Sarah turned an old chair into an absolute work of art.
If you find yourself inspired by Sarah’s work, I highly suggest trying out her bracelet cuff project as written or by giving it your own spin. It’s a great way to dip your toe into tapestry, as it were, and get a handle on the basic techniques.
Click here to visit the library and get the free PDF for Sarah’s Tapestry Cuff Bracelet. I hope you enjoy this project as much as I do!
Happy Weaving!
Christina
Originally published 10/5/2023; updated 3/25/2025