Making browbands..

[littlemare_]

Does anyone do this?

I was thinking about having a go at making some, just for a no pressure hobby as I miss all the creative stuff but want to do something other than draw/paint. Just wondering if its fairly easy to pick up, and if there are any really good guides around.

Plus, where the best place for materials? Is it possible to sell a few on ebay and break even..?

Thanks

 

[Polos]

I was going to have a go and I bought all the materials but don't have time to make them any more, you are welcome to them if you want.

I typed in browband making on google and found loads of websites a videos with tutorials and the materials for sale them selves (can't remember them exactly off the top of my head but I can check for you later when I am on my computer)

 

[WelshD]

I see loads on ebay and facebook for sale many are badly made with big price tags. Its worth making very cheap pocket money ones and appealing to the youngsters perhaps but apart from that i would say the market is pretty much saturated sadly

 

[cremedemonthe]

I see loads on ebay and facebook for sale many are badly made with big price tags. Its worth making very cheap pocket money ones and appealing to the youngsters perhaps but apart from that i would say the market is pretty much saturated sadly

This is very true, I get asked several times a year to quote people to make them a batch load of plain browbands that they can then customise to sell on.
I decline as there are far too many doing it and usually my work isn't cheap enough for them as I hand stitch which adds to the costs, most sold in bulk now are riveted together or machined.

 

[Carrots&Mints]

Its hard work! I make them and sell them now but each one takes me at least 1 full day of hard graft to produce something so perfect. Like above posters have said, allot of other people are trying but market is saturated by people making them aswell! And to not high quality for big bucks! I dont know how they do it!!

 

[cremedemonthe]

Its hard work! I make them and sell them now but each one takes me at least 1 full day of hard graft to produce something so perfect. Like above posters have said, allot of other people are trying but market is saturated by people making them aswell! And to not high quality for big bucks! I dont know how they do it!!

One of the ways to save on leather is to rivet or sew on a machine the end loops (made out of leather) on to biothane or other types of webbing.Once covered in ribbons it's outward appearance is that it is entirely made from leather. Have you seen the dodges and cheap way they may Arab inhand show slips?
They are tubular plastic with a metal cable running through it, all riveted together on to biothane , very cheap materials yet charge the earth.
An Arab owner showed me one made like this, quite plain nothing really fancy and it costs anything from £35 to £70.
Think they have clamped down on these types with the cable running through now though since horses were getting injured when the cable wore through the tubes and cut into them.

 

[Floxie]

Actually PVC 'blanks' are more common and affordable, and can be home riveted (so cheap and easy to produce any size you want). I was a bit put off when I first came across these, but having had one made (and making many more) I quite like them - they're softer and more flexible than leather, and as you say, once they're wrapped in ribbon it doesn't matter what it's made of or how nicely it's stitched underneath since you'll never see it.

I'm not saying there aren't arguments for the strength of leather or something I've not thought of, but for price and softness PVC blanks really do have it covered.

 

[flurryjuno]

deleted

 

[Floxie]

I also agree that the market is saturated, but - it's a lot of fun too So make ones that interest you, that you find fun, and that you'd personally use if they don't sell I stick to these rules (aside from the last one, my horse wouldn't be seen dead in some of the things I think up!) and enjoy making them - so I don't make the traditional glitzy ones, cos I'd find those boring (and done to death by everyone else).

There's lots of tutorials online (free ones - I've seen paid ones but the basic weaves can be found all over). Try YouTube, too, as sometimes video can be more helpful than pictures. And ribbon weaving isn't only for browbands, so make your search terms more about ribbon and craft than browbands specifically.

Our local haberdashery sells tonnes of ribbon so I love going to have a root through and getting ideas. Other bits and pieces (buttons, flag tips etc) you can pick up on ebay or all over, really.

Have fun, it's pretty hard to stop once you start...

 

[cremedemonthe]

Actually PVC 'blanks' are more common and affordable, and can be home riveted (so cheap and easy to produce any size you want). I was a bit put off when I first came across these, but having had one made (and making many more) I quite like them - they're softer and more flexible than leather, and as you say, once they're wrapped in ribbon it doesn't matter what it's made of or how nicely it's stitched underneath since you'll never see it.

I'm not saying there aren't arguments for the strength of leather or something I've not thought of, but for price and softness PVC blanks really do have it covered.

Strength doesn't really matter as there isn't any real stress on a browband and it saves on leather!
If you think about it, it is actually preferable as if you used leather and then cover it with ribbon you cannot get any leather conditioner into the leather underneath and it would dry out and break eventually. Leather loses moisture everyday whether it's used or not. Every year I have to re dress all my hides in my workshop and as I have up to 25 at any one time it's hard work but if I'm to keep my leather usable and in good condition it has to be done.

 

[Floxie]

That makes sense, I hadn't thought of that part of it - and of course the shamballa-style ones have no 'substance' at all, being 90% cord

 

[cremedemonthe]

You can go from cheap to these, another Saddler I know makes these. Too fiddly for me would drive me nuts!
All hand made, hand stitched 12 stitches to the inch, high end stuff.The beads,stones range from glass to semi precious.

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This is just a very small selection of what can be achieved.

 

[elliebrewer98]

I was thinking about having a go at making some, just for a no pressure hobby as I miss all the creative stuff but want to do something other than draw/paint.

Have you thought about making horsehair bracelets? Cheap to make and make special mementos. I'm making some for friends at the moment and it hasn't cost me more than £5 in findings and jump rings, etc. At my local craft shop jump rings are 4p each and clasps like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15-Silver-Plated-Round-Toggle-Clasps-Necklace-Findings-/300687993359?pt=UK_Crafts_JewelleryMaking_GL&hash=item460266aa0f are 25p whilst a pack of 100 lobster clasps are £1. I find using the hair is therapeutic as well