Designer Rakhi

The auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated every year, not just inindia, but across the world. Marked with much fervor and passion, Rakhi, as it is fondly referred to as, is a festival of brothers and sisters. It commemorates the special bond shared between a brother and sister. The main ceremony comprises of a sister tying a sacred thread, called Rakhi, around her brother's wrist. By doing so, she conveys her love and affection towards him, who, in turn, vows to protect her for lifelong. If you desire to create a homemade Rakhi for your brother this year, why not let it be unique and different. With an array of designer Rakhis on display, you sure want to make the best one. Given here are the guidelines for making a designer Rakhi at home. Continue browsing through the lines.

You'll Need:

1 Silk Thread Reel

1 Cotton Thread Reel (matching with the silk thread)

Old Toothbrush

Pair of Scissors

Glue

Small Artificial Pearl Beads

How to Make Designer Rakhi:

Measure the silk thread reel to a length of 25 inches. Cut 20 to 25 such pieces. Since you are making a sacred thread, choose red and green colors. Nevertheless, you can use other colors as well. In case you wish to make a colorful Rakhi, you can pick various colored threads.

Gather all the cutout threads into a bunch, ensuring that the ends of all threads are together.

Fold the threads at the middle.

Using the cotton thread, secure the bundle of threads at about 4 to 5 inches below the mid-point.

You'll now have two segments of threads - one small and one long.

Split the longer segment into two equal portions. This will form the string of the Rakhi.

Using one portion at a time, tie a plait and secure the end with a cotton thread. However, leave a gap of 2 inches from the end. Repeat the same with the other portion.

Cut the loop, created from folding the threads into half, of the smaller portion in the center with a pair of scissors.

Gently brush the ends of the threads with a toothbrush so as to give them a soft and feathery appearance. For a more fluffy thread, brush them upwards.

Also, brush the ends of the strings plaited to give them a similar soft feel.

Apply some glue on the pearl beads and affix them in the center of the Rakhi. In case the Rakhi is braided with a red silk thread, the pearls beads will look like dewdrops on a flower. In contrast, if you've used green colored thread, the pearl beads will give the appearance of dew on grass.

Your designer Rakhi is ready to be gifted to your dear brother.

Tips:

The center portion of the Rakhi can also be decorated as per your personal choice. Options are plenty - colored foil balls can be incorporated with the beads or colored sponge can be cut into different shapes and decked up with beads.

For a more lavish and trendy feel, add on golden threads and zari while braiding the Rakhi.

Glue cartoon figures if you are preparing a Rakhi for your little brother.

For an auspicious Rakhi, pictures of Ganesha and Rudraksh can be affixed.