How to Make Leather Wristbands

Making leather wristbands is inexpensive and fun. Whether you decide to pick up a kit for a couple dollars at your local craftstore or make a wristband from scratch yourself, these personalized crafts are fun for young and old alike.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• paper and pen
• leather wristband blank -OR- stamping leather, utlity knife, rivet tools and rivets
• Leather dyes
• Sharpies
• leather stamps
• leather stamping tool handle
• wooden mallet
• wooden block (work surface)
• sponge
• bowl of water
• Leather Sheen (or other commerical finisher)

1. Measure around your wrist for the most comfortable fit

   1. If you're not using a leather wristband blank or kit, cut paper to form as strip as wide as the leather wristband you'll be making. Use the paper strip to measure around your wrist and mark with a pen the size that feels most comfortable to you, where the paper overlaps leaving room at both ends for the edge of your bracelet (1/4 - 1/2 inch is fine). The mark is where your snap or rivet will go. Trim excess. Use the strip of paper as your pattern to cut your leather to size with a utility knife on the wooden block. Let the marks on your paper guide you as to where to place your rivets or snaps. Once the snaps/rivets are in place, test it on your wrist to make sure it fits comfortably.

2. 2. Don't want a straight edge on your wristband? Draw the pattern you would like to cut into the edges on a piece of paper and using it as a template, cut your leather into the shape you'd like with your utility knife.

3. Stamp leather

   3. To stamp leather, first draw the design you wish to create on your wristband. Find the center of your design and your wristband. Working from the center of your design outward, select your first leather stamp and fit it over the end of your leather stamping tool handle. Set aside. Dip your sponge into the bowl of water and wring out the excess. Place your leather on the wooden block. Dampen the leather with your sponge. Water should not pool on your leather. Be sure to keep your leather wet as you work or the leather will not take the stamp clearly! Place the end that has the leather stamp of your leather stamping tool handle to your leather. Strike the other end of the leather stamping tool handle with your wooden mallet. Check your impression. If the lines aren't dark, your leather may not be wet enough or you may need to swing your mallet more forcefully. Complete your design.

4. Want to add rivets? Mark on the bracelet you would like your rivets. Place rivet on one end of rivet setting tool against where you'd like your rivet and strike the other end with your mallet.

5. Want to add color? Use leather dyes to cover larger areas. Sharpies are great for small, detail work in your design.

6. 

   Once your wristband is completely dry, apply a thin coat of Leather Sheen or another commercial finisher with a small paintbrush. Leather Sheen goes on milky white, but dries clear so don't panic! Cover the entire piece of leather, not just your design. Allow to air dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice your design on a blank or scrap piece of leather before trying it on your project, especially if this is your first time working with leather.

• Use a leather wristband kit to make this project even easier.

• Keep your leather wet while stamping!