DIY Medical Alert Bracelet Tutorial

Unfortunately, our little PiePie has a deadly peanut allergy.  Her allergist recommended that she wear a medical alert bracelet at all times.  I searched around for a bracelet that would work for her, but the selection for kids is limited.  Either you get a loose metal bracelet that is bound to fall off and get lost or a bulky paracord bracelet that I didn't like the looks of.

So, I decided to make one myself and so far it has worked out great.

Here's what you'll need to make one yourself:

- A medical alert charm.  I ordered mine from Amazon here: http://tinyurl.com/kxy6rrr

- Fold over elastic.  I got mine from Hairbow Supplies Etc on Etsy: http://tinyurl.com/kp7pu6r

- A glue stick

- A sewing machine or needle and thread if you want to sew it by hand.

Step by step instructions:

1.  Measure the wrist of the person that will be wearing the bracelet, then cut the elastic 1/2" longer than the wrist measurement. 

2. Slide the charm onto the elastic.  Make sure that the elastic is not twisted behind the charm.

3.  Overlap the ends of the elastic by 1/2" and use a small amount of glue to hold the ends together.   

4.  Here's what you'll have.  The glue stick step isn't absolutely necessary, but it'll make sewing much easier.   

5.  Select the zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine.  Using this stitch is important because it'll allow for stretching.    

6.  With the elastic right-side-up, sew along the end ensuring that the zig-zag stitch is encasing the end.  Go back and forth over the end of the elastic 3-4 times.   

7.  Here's what you'll have now.  1 end of the elastic is sewn, but the other end still needs to be sewn. 

8.  With the elastic still right-side-up, sew the other end of the elastic.  This is a bit trickier because you can't actually see the end of the elastic.  Just go very slowly to ensure the the end is sewn.    

9.  That's all there is to it!  

You now have a kid-friendly medical alert bracelet.