How to Braid Leather

Leather can be used for a large variety of things, from furniture to accessories. Accessories made with leather are sometimes enhanced by the use of braids. The mystery braid method is popular and can be found on accessories such as bracelets and belts. This method is attractive and easy to do.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Leather
• Scissors
• Clasp

Make a Mystery Bracelet

1. Select leather that is flexible enough to braid. Cut a strip that is between 3/4 of an inch and 1 inch in width and between 9 inches and 11 inches in length. The longer the strip the more braid will be visible.

2. Make 2 slits in the leather with a sharp pair of scissors. Make sure the slits are the same length and the 3 resulting strips are the same width. Do not cut into the last 3/4 of an inch of leather on both ends, as these will be used for your closure.

3. Turn the best-looking side of the piece of leather towards you. For ease, mentally label the three strips, from left to right, as strips A, B and C.

4. Take A and place it over B. Take C and place over A. Strip B is now behind both strips. Bring strip B out and over C.

5. Grab the opposite unbraided end of your leather, pull it up, and then pass it out to the other side, between strips B and A.

6. Continue braiding. Place strip A over strip B. Place C over A, and B over C.

7. Grab the lower end again and this time, fold it to the back and bring it forward through strips A and B. This will make the braid flat again.

8. Adjust the braids so that the spacing is even down the length of the bracelet. Use both ends of the bracelet to attach a clasp. Make a simple closure by sewing a button on one end of the bracelet and cutting a slit for it in the other end.

9. Read "Leather Braiding" by B. Grant to learn more about this craft (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• A bracelet that is 1 inch wide and 11 inches long needs the end turned twice, once in and once out. You may need to do this several times for a longer bracelet or a belt but be sure to turn the end in and out an equal number of times.

Resources

• Amazon.com for braiding book

[Saimon]

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