Are you tired of paying dearly for leather jewelry that you could make yourself? So get all the materials you need and get ready to build your own leather bracelets from scratch! The process is quite simple and you will get beautiful and sophisticated pieces of handmade jewelry. Try one of the five methods outlined in this article and show off your creative sense of style.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Making a Beaded Leather Bracelet
Step 1. Get all the materials
You can find them in most home improvement stores and even online. To make a beaded bracelet, you need a string or strip of leather and some beads with holes large enough to pass through.
Step 2. Measure and cut the leather
Cut two strings with sharp scissors. When making bracelets, you can estimate the length needed by wrapping the string around your wrist and adding a few more inches to compensate for the knot.
Step 3. Knot the ends
Tie the strings together at one end, leaving enough length to tie the bracelet around your wrist. To make this easier, tape these knotted ends to the surface of the table with tape, or use a safety pin and pin them to the trouser leg.
Step 4. Start threading the beads
Place the first on one of the two strings and slide it down to the base of the knot.
Step 5. Thread the second string into the bead
In this case, however, work in the opposite direction by inserting the leather thread from underneath. This creates a ring around the bead that holds it in place. You have to do this for each bead you add.
Step 6. Continue inserting these decorations
Slide one string inside the bead and then lock it with the other that is threaded in the opposite direction. Do this until the bracelet is long enough to wrap around your wrist.
Step 7. Refine the bracelet
Use a simple knot to close the second end. Remove the tape from the first one and tie the tails together, around the wrist, to finish off your bracelet.
Method 2 of 5: Making a Braided Bracelet
Step 1. Choose the material
This bracelet can be made with a minimum of three leather strings, but also many more (they can be simple cords or thick strips). If you prefer an offbeat look, use stripes; if, on the other hand, you love more discreet and "clean" jewels, use the cords.
Step 2. Measure and cut the leather
Wrap it around your wrist to see how long it needs to be. Cut three pieces of cord or strips with the help of scissors.
Step 3. Make a simple knot at the end of the strips to lock them together
Secure them to the table with a piece of adhesive tape or to your pants with the help of a safety pin.
Step 4. Start the braid
Wrap the right rope over the left one. The movements that are performed for a leather braid are the same as those used for styling the hair.
Step 5. Cross the left cord over the center cord
The second movement consists in bringing the leftmost thread over the central one. In doing so, the lanyard on the left becomes the central one.
Step 6. Cross the right strip again
Move the one that is furthest to the right over the strip in the center, just like you did in the previous step with the strip on the left.
Step 7. Now bring the left strip in the middle
Follow the same pattern and bring the left stripe in the middle.
Step 8. Finish the braid
Keep crossing the strips until you reach the length needed to wrap the bracelet around your wrist. Flatten the braid so it fits snugly.
Step 9. Tie the ends
Secure the end of the braid with a simple knot and peel it off the masking tape. Wrap it around your wrist and close the bracelet with a knot. Finally, cut the excess "tails" with scissors.
Method 3 of 5: Making a Cuff
Step 1. Prepare everything you need
For this project you will need strips of worked leather, specific glue, leather needles, waxed thread and a snap button or clasp to close the bracelet.
Step 2. Measure and cut the leather
Use a ruler to mark a strip of leather that is 5cm wide, but as long as the circumference of your wrist plus 2.5cm. Cut it out with sharp scissors or a utility knife.
Step 3. Overlap the strip
Glue the cutout to a larger piece of crafted leather. With your fingers flatten it well to avoid wrinkles, wait for the adhesive to dry overnight. This second layer of leather will give the bracelet a more refined look.
Step 4. Cut the bracelet to size
Engrave the largest piece of leather respecting the shape of the first strip you glued. At this point you should have a leather strip consisting of two layers.
Step 5. Sew the edges
Use a leather needle and waxed thread to sew the two layers of the cuff. You can use the type of stitch you prefer; the purpose of the stitching is to give more support and a more professional look.
Step 6. Add the buckle
With the needle and thread, or thanks to the leather glue, fix the buckle at the ends of the bracelet.
Method 4 of 5: Making a Leather Friendship Bracelet
Step 1. Choose the material
For this kind of bracelet you need thin leather strips or strings, specific or fabric glue, a needle and embroidery thread in various colors. You will also need a pair of scissors to cut both the leather and the thread. The buckle is optional.
Step 2. Measure and cut the leather
Wrap a single piece of leather around your wrist and add another 5-8cm of length. You will need this margin to tie the ends together once the bracelet is finished. Cut the leather to size.
Step 3. Secure the piece of leather
Pin one end of the strip to the table (about 5cm), using tape.
Step 4. Begin wrapping the thread
Put a drop of glue on the leather and then wrap the embroidery floss around it. Try to be precise and tighten the thread to the length you want before switching to another color. When you are done, block the thread with another drop of glue and cut off the excess end.
Step 5. Add the other colors
Follow the same procedure as described above: add a drop of glue and wrap the embroidery thread around the leather strip. Continue in this way for the entire length you want, then fix the colored thread with more glue before cutting off the excess end.
Step 6. Follow the same pattern
Add as much thread as you like to give the bracelet some color. You can choose to cover the whole leather strip or just a small portion, it's all up to you!
Step 7. Finish the colored section
When you have wrapped all the colors you want, thread the needle with the embroidery thread, cutting off the excess until leaving a 2.5 cm tail. Pass the needle under the thread wrapped around the leather, leaving the tail of the same hidden under the spirals.
Step 8. Finish the bracelet
If you wish, you can add a buckle by connecting it to the two ends of the leather strip. Alternatively, tie a simple knot after wrapping the bracelet around your wrist.
Method 5 of 5: Making a Studded Leather Bracelet
Step 1. Get everything you need
To make a studded bracelet you will need a few strips of worked leather, assorted studs, a utility knife, a hammer, some scissors and a snap clasp.
Step 2. Measure and cut out the piece of leather
Wrap the strip around your wrist and calculate another 2.5 cm. Use scissors to cut the strip to the right length and to round the edges.
Step 3. Secure the studs
Arrange them as you like on the entire bracelet. When you are satisfied with their position, push the tips of the studs into the leather. In this way you do not go through the entire thickness of the bracelet, but leave a small notch.
Step 4. Cut out some buttonholes for the studs
Use the utility knife and make incisions right where you created the notches. Make sure that the cuts are wide enough for the tips of the studs to enter; if you exaggerate in this sense, the engravings will be seen when the work is finished.
Step 5. Secure the studs
Thread them through the buttonholes you created. The tips will pass on the back; twist them however you like to secure them.
Step 6. Fold the tips
Flip the cuff over and use the hammer to bend and flatten the tips. If there are two tips, fold them in different directions.
Step 7. Add the snaps
To create the clasp, attach snaps to both ends of the bracelet. The buttons have points that can pierce the leather and which are then bent with the hammer just like you did with the studs. Some models, however, must be glued.
Step 8. Test your bracelet
Use the snaps to close it around your wrist. Adjust any studs that have turned or moved out of their housing. The bracelet is finished! Now you can show off your new style by creating multiple bracelets and wearing them all together.
