Tag: leather

Woven bracelet

On By CarynIn Craft

I found another thing to do with my woven bands: bracelets! I chose to sew leather ends on to reduce bulk, and I had the materials.

Materials to make the bracelet

I cut a strip of goat leather and stained it dark brown, then sealed it with an acrylic clear coat. I cut two smaller rectangles from the finished leather, cut a length of leather cord, sealed the ends of the woven strip with clear glue, selected a shell button, and sewed using waxed nylon cord.

Attaching the eyelet

To form the eyelet for the button hole, I folded the leather cord in half, then bent the ends outward at a 90 degree angle. I secured it to the end of the woven band with waxed cord, then cut off the excess. To cover the end, I cut a slit in one leather rectangle to slide over the eyelet, then sewed the leather to the band. The nylon thread was thicker than I wanted visible, so I separated the three strands and just sewed with one.

Sewing the leather using a clamp

My wooden book clamp serves well as a leather stitching aid. I used wax paper to keep the newly finished leather from sticking to the wood. (I recommend waiting 24 hours before sewing, but I was impatient.)

Finished button hole end

For the button end, I sewed the button offset on the other leather rectangle, using cord scraps to space the button off the leather. If the button is sewn tight to the surface, there isn’t enough room for the eyelet.

Button sewn using a cord for a spacer
Button end sewn using a wooden clamp
Finished hand sewn leather button clasp

I’m pleased with the finished bracelet. Although I would have preferred the leather ends to butt together, the gap actually makes the bracelet more comfortable to wear by giving more flex. The bracelet is easy to button one handed, and is light.

Wrist strap

On By CarynIn Craft

I’ve been pinning many pictures of things I can do with my Inkle loom woven straps. So many things, but what caught my attention this time were wrist straps. Most of the articles talk about attaching keys, but I also saw wrist straps used for walking canes, cameras, and small bags. I also saw a method for securing the end of the cut woven strap with clear flexible glue. I used Modge Podge, which worked well painted on the ends and allowed to dry.

Securing cut ends by painting on clear glue

There is metal clamp hardware that make the creation of a wrist strap quicker, but I preferred the sewn leather direction. I noticed that leather makers use a wooden clamp that is similar to my bookbinding clamps. My clamp is larger, but it worked well to hold the pieces together while I stitched. I used a single ply of waxed nylon thread to sew a loop of leather to the ends of the strap.

Stitching leather using a book clamp

Rather than a D ring, I used a split ring and a toggle clasp because these can be removed if the strap needs to be modified with different attachments.

Wrist strap made from an Inkle loom woven strap and leather

I liked how this one came out, so I made more.

Hand woven, hand sewn, cotton and leather wrist straps

Pan handle

On By CarynIn Craft

One of my Dad’s favorite cooking implements is a cast iron pan. I saw ideas on leather handle covers so thought I would make him one. I started out with some card stock to make a template. I liked the idea of a wrap around handle cover because it seemed it would be more comfortable to grip.

Making a paper template

I used the template and leather shears to cut the design from tooling leather. With the wrap around design, only the end needs sewing, the wrap has enough give to slide onto the handle, but should stay in place. I wetted the leather and punched holes, then I lashed the end with a strip of leather.

Securing the end with leather thong

I let the sewn assembly dry in place on a cast iron pan (both my sister and I have pans at our house in case Dad needs to cook something while he is visiting.) When it was dry I sealed it with Resolene to protect it from food spills.

Finished leather pan handle

Third anniversary

On By CarynIn Craft

Well that snuck up on me. I had plans to lay out a lovely leather carving for the third anniversary of my blog, but the time suddenly loomed so I whipped up a quick stamped leather oblong instead. Three years can be an awkward age.

Leather anniversary

Replacing a belt buckle

On By CarynIn Craft, Life Hack

My husband loves his Italian made leather belt, but the metal fatigued and broke the other day. Luckily I had a buckle in my stash, and the belt is so well designed, I could fix it.

Loop broke off the metal belt buckle

First I took out the broken metal, which was held on with a screw rivet (love these) and some stitches.

Disassembled buckle, with new buckle on left

I used waxed linen cord and the saddle stitch to sew the new buckle into the leather. I made the final knot between the layers of leather so it would be hidden.

Saddle stitching in progress

Then I reassembled the belt reusing the screw rivet, being careful to catch the leather loop and stay in the right places, and making sure the buckle faced the right direction. Did I mention I love screw rivets? If you assemble incorrectly, it is easy to remove the rivet and try again.

Fixed belt