How to Design Your Own Leather Tooled Guitar Strap
Handmade leather guitar straps are unique additions to any guitar. They make good gifts for most almost any guitar player and are fairly easy to make. They can be dyed to be any color, and can be decorated with flowers, shapes and names.
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Things You'll Need
- 5 to 6 ounce thick cowhide, 52 inches-by-3 inches long
- Acrylic leather dye
- Beveling tool
- Decorative conchos (optional)
- Embossing wheel, any design
- Flannel cloth nailed to a small wooden block
- Groove tool
- Hard, solid surface
- Leather dye
- Mallet
- Overstitch spacer
- Razorblade
- Scissors
- Sponge
- Stamps, any design
- Water
Instructions
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1
Trim both ends of the leather strap with scissors so that they resemble a rounded triangle. The guitar strap ends will be finished later. Use the razor blade to cut a straight vertical slit into both ends of the guitar strap. This is where the strap will attach to the guitar.
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2
Lay the strap onto a hard solid surface. Use a damp sponge to wet the top of the leather. Make sure that the moisture penetrates the top layer only. Do not soak the leather completely. Keep the water close by. The leather will dry fast and will need to be re-wet often.
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3
Attach the embossing wheel to the overstitch spacer. Place the embossing wheel on the desired area. Designing the center or edges of the strap are good design choices.
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4
For a central design, center the embossing wheel on the leather at the bottom, and roll it across the leather. Press the tool firmly into the leather so the imprint will be even and deep. Add as much or as little of the design as you like.
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5
If desired, place additional decorative elements onto the guitar strap with a leather stamp. Place the stamp directly onto the leather, and hammer the end of the stamp with a mallet. Make sure to hit the stamp with the same hardness (if the design is repeated) to ensure the appropriate depth of design.
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6
Once the leather is dry, apply the leather dye with the flannel woodblock. Carefully apply the dye so that it does not get into either the stamped or embossed designs. Once the first layer is completely dry add at least two more coats.
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7
Decorate the border of the guitar strap with a groove tool. Place the tool about 1/2 inch from the side and run the tool down the side of the strap in a straight line. Apply firm pressure to the leather.
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8
Finish the guitar strap edges with a beveling tool. Remember to round both the top and underside of the leather guitar strap for an even, finished look. This will also make the guitar strap more comfortable when it is used.
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9
Apply acrylic leather dye to the edges of the guitar strap. Use several coats. Allow it to dry before each application.
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Tips & Warnings
Other decorations include decorative conchos and rivets.
Use acrylic paint to paint the areas inside the designs in contrasting colors for a striking look.
For a unique hand sewn look, use a diamond awl tool to place holes around the edges of the strap. Use leather thread to whip stitch the entire guitar strap.
