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How to Make Beaded Leather Hat BandsInstructionsThings You'll Needy y y y y y y y y y

Measuring tape Leather Sharp household shears Pattern/template Chalk Beading needle Waxed beading thread Seed beads Cotton swab Glue

1.o

1Measure the circumference of the hat where you plan to place the hat band. Most hat bands fit just above the brim. Cut a length of 1- to 2-inch wide leather to fit the circumference of your hat.

o

2Place the leather strip face-up on a flat surface. Place the template of your pattern or design on top of the leather strip. Transfer the outline of the design from the template onto the leather with chalk.

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3Cut a 2 foot length of waxed beading thread. Tie a double overhand knot in one end. Thread the other end through the beading needle. Pull the thread until about one-third of the length is through the eye of the needle.

o

4Insert the threaded needle through the chalk line at the beginning of your pattern or design. Insert the needle from the back to the front of the leather, pulling it through until the knot stops it.

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5Thread one to five seed beads over the needle. Hold the beads against the chalk line and reinsert the needle through the leather from front to back. Pull the thread

taut. You can add up to five seed beads at a time as long as the line in your design is straight. Only add as many beads as will fit over the straight line of your pattern. For example, if your pattern curves, you'll need to have a series of single seed beads stitched around the curve. Some straight lines are shorter than others, so three beads may be all that you need to create the pattern. More than five beads on a line at a time may sag when you stand the hat band in a vertical position.o

6Continue stitching the seed beads along the lines of your pattern until the hat band is complete.

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7Remove any visible chalk lines with a wet cotton swab. Attach the hat band to the hat with hot glue or jeweler's glue.How to Make a Necklace with Beads and Leather Lacing

How to Make a Necklace with Beads and Leather Lacing

InstructionsThings You'll Needy y

Measuring tape Scissors

1.o

1Drape a measuring tape around your neck and decide on the length you want the necklace. A matinee or standard neckline length is approximately 25 inches. A leather choker is approximately 17 inches and you can double that length for an opera or rope necklace.

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2Cut a piece of leather lacing 2 inches longer than your necklace measurement for knotting and finishing. Select leather lacing that can easily slide through the holes

of the beads; a variety of bead sizes can be strung on leather lacing that is 1 millimeter thick.o

3Tie a simple overhand knot on one end of the piece of leather lacing.

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4Arrange beads on your workspace in the order you want to string them on your necklace. Consider using a large bead as the centerpiece of the arrangement with smaller beads surrounding it on either side. Alternate colors of the smaller beads to create a pattern.

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5String the beads onto the open end of the lacing, starting with the bead on the left of your arrangement and working toward the far right. Leave at least 1 inch of lacing uncovered for tying the necklace together.

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6Pull the open end of the lacing to the other necklace end and tie them together with another simple overhand knot.

Tips & Warningsy

To make an overhand knot, bend 1 inch of the end of the leather lacing in half, crossing it over the rest of the lacing just below the bend. Pull the tip through the back of the loop. Clasps can be used on shorter necklaces, but repeated twisting of leather knots around the clasps can quickly degrade and weaken the leather lacing.

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How to Make a Leather Bracelet With Crystals

InstructionsThings You'll Needy

60 inches 1.5-mm leather lace 40 6-mm crystal beads Scissors

1.o

1Cut a piece of leather lace to a length of approximately 60 inches. This length is approximate because the bracelet will be tied multiple times and then wrapped around the wrist.

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2Tie an overhand knot in the leather lace approximately 1 inch from one end. To make an overhand knot, make a simple loop with the leather. Put the end of the leather that is behind the loop over the front of the leather lace and pass it through the loop. Pull the knot tightly.

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3Thread a crystal onto the lace, slide the bead next to the knot, and make another overhand knot similar to the first knot to surround the crystal. Tighten the knots well.

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4Tie another overhand knot in the cord about an inch from the last knot. Continue adding crystals and surrounding them with knots until all the crystals are on the leather lace.

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5After the last crystal has been surrounded by knots, check the length of the leather lace to make sure that the bracelet will fit properly on the wrist. Tie the two ends of the leather in a temporary knot and wrap the bracelet around the wrist to see how it fits. Make any adjustments to the length by untying the temporary knot and, and then cut any excess leather lace off at the end. When

the fit is as desired, tightly knot the two ends of the bracelet with another overhand knot.

How to Make a Men's Braided Leather Bracelet

InstructionsThings You'll Needy y y y y

leather cord clasp Super glue tape cardboard

1.o

1Use a leather cord cut into 3 equal lengths, or use 3 cords of complementary shades or colors.

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2Tape the three cords to a sheet of cardboard or a piece of wood.

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3Braid the three strips together until your bracelet is the desired length.

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4

Add a little dab of glue to the end of the bracelet so that it doesn't unravel. Let it dry.o

5Repeat the process for the other end of the bracelet.

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6When both ends are dry, add the clasp you have chosen. Follow the directions for attaching the clasp. In general, slide the ends of the clasp over the ends of the bracelet. Add another dab of glue to secure the clasp into place. Let dry.

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7Inspect the bracelet to make certain that it opens and closes with ease. The bracelet is now ready to wear.

How to Make a Necklace Holder Using Leather String

InstructionsThings You'll Needy y

1 yard leather lacing Clothes hanger

1.o

1Fold a 36-inch piece of leather in half and match the ends.

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2Tie a knot approximately 1 inch from the ends of the leather.

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3Tie a knot connecting the two sides of the leather loop together every 2 inches.

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4

Hang the knotted leather necklace holder on a nail in the wall, doorknob or clothes hanger.o

5Secure the clasp of a necklace around each knot. It is possible to hold up to five necklaces on each knot.

How to Make a Leather BraceletInstructionsThings You'll Needy y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y

Flat Work Surfaces Leather Dyes Leather Hole Punchers Leathers Buckles Clean White Cloth Measuring Tapes Razor Knives Wood Or Rawhide Mallets Newspaper Pencils Rag Paper Saddle Soaps Rivet Tools And Rivets Rulers Straightedges

1.o

1Determine the desired length and width of the bracelet. Measure the wrist and add approximately 2 to 3 inches to this measurement for a close-fitting bracelet.

o

2Choose leather and a buckle. Use 6 to 8 oz. vegetable-tanned leather for the bracelet and a buckle that is the same width as the desired bracelet width.

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3

Cut the bracelet from the leather. Decide at this point what shape the free end of the bracelet will be, and mark and cut it into the desired shape.o

4Fold the unshaped end of the bracelet back so that a crease is made 3/4 inches from the end.

o

5Place a slot punch on the bracelet so that the punch's end evenly intersects the crease at the crease's center point. Hold the handle portion of the punch and strike the top with a wood or rawhide mallet. Repeat until the punch has completely punctured the leather.

o

6Use a rotary punch or drive punch and mallet to make four rivet holes in the leather. The first two holes should be placed inch from the slotted bracelet end and inch from the bracelet's edges.

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7Place the second set of holes on the other side of the slot so that, when the bracelet end is folded back along the crease line, both sets of holes match up evenly.

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8Use an edge beveler to trim all the bracelet's edges. Do any tooling or decorative stamping at this time as well.

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9Insert the buckle prong through the punched slot so that the buckle is correctly positioned. Fold the slotted bracelet end back so that the rivet holes are lined up, and insert the rivets from the underside of the bracelet. Place the collar end on a flat work surface and affix the rivet caps to the rivets with a mallet.

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10Put the bracelet around the wrist. On the back of the bracelet, mark a hole position that will allow the bracelet to fit comfortably around the wrist when buckled. Mark a second hole, if desired to allow for a tighter or looser fit.

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11Punch the holes with a rotary punch or a drive punch and mallet. Make sure that the holes are centered.

How to Make a Leather JournalInstructionsThings You'll Needy y y y y y y

Blank journal Tailor's chalk Lightweight leather Craft glue Shears Wax paper or plastic wrap Sewing machine

1. Simpleo

1Buy a blank paperback journal. Point a hairdryer on the "Hot" setting toward the spine, to soften the glue.

o

2Carefully peel off the paperback cover, attempting to keep it in one piece. This will serve as a pattern for your leather.

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3Lay the cover, open and flat, on top of the leather. Trace around the leather with tailor's chalk. Add 1/8 inch to the left and right sides of the leather. (It will not fold as flat as will the paper cover, and so needs a little extra to compensate.) Cut carefully with shears.

o

4

Brush craft glue onto the coverless journal, along the spine and first and last pages, wherever the paperback cover was glued. Use a thin layer of glue--enough to bind to the leather, but not so thick that it smears or warps the leather.o

5Wrap the leather cover carefully on the journal, pressing it along the spine and smoothing out any bubbles. Wrap the journal in wax paper or plastic, and press it under some heavy books. Periodically run your thumb along the pine to ensure that the leather binds to it. Let the journal dry overnight.

2. Removable Covero

1Buy a standard-sized journal, one that you are certain will be readily available in the future. The Moleskine and Exacompta brand journals have been available for decades. These come with a stiff cardboard cover, which will give shape to your finished work.

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2Open the front and back cover of your journal, so that it creates a flat plane. Lay this flattened plane on top of your leather, and draw around it with your tailor's chalk. Measure 1/4 inch to outside of your chalk lines on the top and bottom, and draw two more lines. Add 3/8 inches to the right and left edges, and draw those lines. Cut your leather to these outside lines.

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3Cut two inside flaps out of leather. These should be 3 inches wide, and the height of your journal cover.

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4Lay the inside flaps on the inside of your journal cover, against the left and right ends. You may use a dot of glue on the corners to hold the flaps in place. Stitch along the three outside edges of the flaps, 1/8 inch from the outside edge. Your journal cover is ready to use.

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5

Add a ribbon for a nice finished touch. Cut a length of thin silk ribbon, perhaps 8 inches long, and glue one end to the middle and inside of your leather cover, near the top edge.

How to Make a Baseball Leather Bracelet

InstructionsThings You'll Needy y y y y y y

Tape measure White leather Pencil Knife Hole punch Red cord Button

1.o

1Measure the wrist of the person who will wear the finished bracelet. Add an inch to the measurement to give the bracelet breathing room on the wearer's wrist.

o

2Draw a rectangle in your leather that measures about an inch wide and at the length you measured at the wrist. Cut out the rectangle of leather with your knife. Then cut lengthwise down the exact center of the leather to make a slit, leaving a

square of uncut leather at either end for a button and loop to connect the ends around the wrist.o

3Use your pencil to make small dots about an 1/8 of an inch from the slit on each half of the split leather strip. Make these marks about 1/4 of an inch apart.

o

4Use your hole punch to make holes through the leather on these marks and also one hole centered about an 1/8 of an inch from either end.

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5Thread a button onto your cord, pull the cord until there is an equal amount on each side of the button and slide both ends of the cord through the hole at the bottom. Make sure to keep the button centered during the threading process later.

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6Pull one end of your cord through the bottom hole on one side of the cut leather strip and the other end of the cord through the hole on the other half. Thread the cord from the right side to the left hole directly above the bottom hole. Take the left cord and thread it to the right directly above the bottom right hole.

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7Continue threading up the leather until you reach the top. Pull the two cord ends through the hole at the end and cut off all but four inches of the remaining cord. Tie a small knot in the cord directly on the hole, leaving three inches of cord. Knot the ends of the cord together to create a loop.

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8Wrap the bracelet around the wrist and pull the button through the cord loop at the end to hold it in place. Remove the button from the cord loop to remove the bracelet.

How to Make Beaded Leather Hat Bands

InstructionsThings You'll Needy y y y y y y y y y

Measuring tape Leather Sharp household shears Pattern/template Chalk Beading needle Waxed beading thread Seed beads Cotton swab Glue

1.o

1Measure the circumference of the hat where you plan to place the hat band. Most hat bands fit just above the brim. Cut a length of 1- to 2-inch wide leather to fit the circumference of your hat.

o

2Place the leather strip face-up on a flat surface. Place the template of your pattern or design on top of the leather strip. Transfer the outline of the design from the template onto the leather with chalk.

o

3Cut a 2 foot length of waxed beading thread. Tie a double overhand knot in one end. Thread the other end through the beading needle. Pull the thread until about one-third of the length is through the eye of the needle.

o

4Insert the threaded needle through the chalk line at the beginning of your pattern or design. Insert the needle from the back to the front of the leather, pulling it through until the knot stops it.

o

5Thread one to five seed beads over the needle. Hold the beads against the chalk line and reinsert the needle through the leather from front to back. Pull the thread taut. You can add up to five seed beads at a time as long as the line in your design is straight. Only add as many beads as will fit over the straight line of your

pattern. For example, if your pattern curves, you'll need to have a series of single seed beads stitched around the curve. Some straight lines are shorter than others, so three beads may be all that you need to create the pattern. More than five beads on a line at a time may sag when you stand the hat band in a vertical position.o

6Continue stitching the seed beads along the lines of your pattern until the hat band is complete.

o

7Remove any visible chalk lines with a wet cotton swab. Attach the hat band to the hat with hot glue or jeweler's glue.

Recycled Belt Leather BraceletsMaterials:

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Leather or leather like belt Opaque Shimmers from Earth Safe Finishes in your choice of colors http://www.earthsafefinishes.com/products.html Toggle or hook clasp 1 chain or 22 GA wire to match clasp Strong scissors or leather shears Leather/belt hole punch Paintbrushes, liner for details Jewelry making tools, pliers and wire cutters

Optional extras:

y y y y y

Additional chain Beads Metal tags Kevlar thread or wire to attach the above Instructions: 1. Cut your belt section 1-1 shorter than your normal bracelet size depending on how loose or

tight you like to wear them. (Dont worry about the existing belt holes you can either ignore them or bead through them later.) Trim corners round, on a diagonal or leave straight.

y y

2. Punch holes on both ends about 1/8 in. 3. Paint your belt using Shimmers and your choice of colors. Some are a random splash of colors, some use the existing embossed pattern and some are freeform patterns. You may also choose to use a stencil or rubber stamp to create your image. Allow the paint to dry. 4. Attach your closure with jump rings or a combination of chain, jump rings or wire. The following photos show how easy it is to use what findings you have on hand. If you are using a toggle make sure to add in some small chain on the bar end to make it easier to attach the bracelet.

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5. Embellish more if you like! Stitch on beads, charms, buttons or trinkets using Kevlar thread. Knot on the back then dot each knot with a dab of glue when you are done. Wire on tags by using a flat bead with a head pin run through it on the underside. Wrap the ends of the head pins around holes in the tag, secure with more wraps then trim the ends.

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Personalized Leather Wallet

Materials:

y y y y

Walnut Hollow #26033 Creative Leather BrandingTool Leather Wallet Delta Stencil Magic #952390012 Whimsical Dot Alphabet Other Supplies: container for hot points, pencil, pliers, sand paper, tape

Instructions: 1. Choose name to burn on wallet. Use stencil and pencil to trace name onto wallet. 2. Before using Creative Leather Branding Tool, read and follow all safety precautions on packaging. Attach Calligraphy Point to tool. Tighten with pliers. Secure stand to hard surface with tape. Turn switch ON. Place tool on stand. Plug into electric outlet. Let heat for 4-5 minutes. Practice on a

scrap of leather before beginning project. Some leather will burn quickly and some burns slowly. If the brands get discolored from the leather, rub them over a piece of fine sandpaper. 3. Use Calligraphy Point to burn the traced letters. When complete, remove the Calligraphy Point with pliers and drop Point into a glass or metal container. Attach the Heart Brand. Tighten with pliers. 4. Use Heart Brand to create a design below the name. When complete, turn switch OFF. Unplug tool and let cool.

Native American BraceletsDecorate "leather" bracelets with Native American designs to make fashionable, wearable art. Great for both boys and girls.You need:y y y

Leather-Like Bracelets Pencil Acrylic Paint and Small Brush or Permanent Markers

Instructions:

Plan your design and draw it on the bracelet with pencil. Color the design using acrylic paint or permanent markers.

Making Leather Accessories: Day Planners

Tools and MaterialsOne hide (5 1/2 squarefeet) leather No-slip ruler Rotary cutter Multipurpose cement Poly-cotton thread Sewing machine equipped for leather Leather hole punch 1/2-inch binder rivets 7-inch 6-ring spine Rivet setter Mallet Paper inserts Grommet kit or elastic cording (optional)

Leather Planner How-To1. For standard refills (6 3/4 by 3 3/4 inches), use arotary cutter to cut a rectangle of leather that is 10 3/8 by 7 1/8 inches. Mark the midpoint of the length, and score with the bone folder. For the closure, cut a 3 1/2-by-1-inch tab to fit in a 3-by1/4-inch strip. 2. Cement a 1/4 inch of the tab halfway up the inside of the back cover of the planner; let dry, and then sew. Cement the strip halfway up the outside of the front cover; let dry, and sew ends. For side flaps, cut two 3 1/4-by-7 1/8-inch pieces. Cement them on all but the inside long edge; let dry, and then sew all around, leaving a 1/4-inch border.

3. Backstitch at start and finish. Place the spine on the halfway point, mark each hole with a pencil, and punch out marks with a hole punch. Align bar over holes, and stick rivet posts through each one; snap the cap pieces onto posts from the other side. Position rivet setter over each rivet head, and pound them into place with the mallet. Fill binder with paper inserts. Use flaps to store loose items..

Leather Unicorn Mask

Tools and MaterialsMask template 7-ounce leather Ballpoint pen Leather shears Craft knife Shallow bowl Oven Acrylic paint Broad brush Leather hole punch Ribbon Paint pens, glitter pens, rhinestones, and other embellishments

Leather Unicorn Mask How-To1. Enlarge, print, and cut out mask template. Trace template onto 7-ounce leather using a ballpoint pen. 2. Using leather shears, cut out the shape of the mask. Cut eye holes with a craft knife. 3. Soak mask in a bowl of hot water. (Little bubbles will appear on the back part of the mask; once the bubbles go away, it's ready to shape.) 4. Push the wet mask against face and shape. Fold the ears down and twist up at the edges. Twist horn at the top. 5. Put mask in a 265-degree oven for 3 minutes. 6. Mold mask for a second time on face to fine-tune the shape; tip the horn slightly forward. 7. Place mask in oven until dry -- about 15-25 minutes. The mask will become pale again once dry. Check frequently to avoid over-drying. 8. Apply acrylic paint to mask using a broad brush; let dry. 9. Using a leather hole punch, punch holes on sides of mask for ribbon. Feed ribbon through holes. 10. Decorate using paint pens, glitter pens, rhinestones, etc.

Leather Pouch or CaseMaterials Rectangular piece of Leather Waxed Thread Velcro Tools Thonging Chisel tool Mallet Scrap piece of wood Large-eyed needle

See the Leather Chapter for more instructions, hints, tips, and ideas.

Read the page on instructions and hints on lacing and instructions for sewing on loops before you start.y

y y y y y y y

Cut out a rectangular shape from the leather. Remember that you need one piece of leather big enough to make the front, back and flap. If you want a pouch that is 3" wide by 2" tall, you would need a piece of leather 3" wide by 6" long (front + back + flap). You may want the flap a little smaller. The flap does not have to go all the way to the bottom of the pouch, but you want enough flap that items won't easily fall out of the pouch. By making it as long as the front, you can trim it to the desired size when the pouch is complete. Punch holes along edges for lacing - make sure the edges are lined up straight and even. Cut a rectangular piece of leather about 1" by 3" for the loop. Punch holes for loop and sew it to pouch. See Loops. Stitch the edges. See Lacing. Trim flap to desired shape and size. Sew Velcro onto flap. Close flap onto pouch and note mark where Velcro touches pouch. Sew the other side of the Velcro onto the pouch.

With a little bit more work, you can make nice looking 3-dimensional cases for things like flashlights, knives, PDAs, cell phones, GPS, ... Measure the height, width, and depth of the object. Use a string or cloth measuring tape to help you measure around the width and length of the object. These are the circumference measurements. Add some extra to the length for a good size flap; you can always make it smaller. The width is a bit tricky. The small part on the template below should be the same as the width of the object and will be the back and flap. The wider section which is the front and sides is the width circumference minus the width. Add 1/4" or more for stitching. You may want to add a little more in the length and width to give you a little extra room in the pouch for a thumb guard for wood carving, business cards, etc. Make a template on paper (see below) of the size of the leather. Then follow the instructions above. Make sure that you have the same number of holes on each side and the bottom.

Leather Place MatTools and MaterialsPieces of lambskin measuring at least 12 square feet Double-sided tape Leather adhesive Bone folder 3-by-4-foot lightweight cotton canvas thread in a contrasting color for topstitching Fabric scissors

Place Mat How-To1. Download patterrns; enlarge 300 percent on a copy machine to match scale of the original. 2. Cut out leather patterns according to our leather cutting instructions. Cut 2 of pattern A, then flip the template over and cut 2 more pieces so that you have 4 total; 2 are mirror images. Cut 2 leather pieces using pattern B.

3. Fold cotton canvas in half. Use pattern C to cut a piece of canvas, making sure to line up the marked edge with the folded edge of the canvas. Unfold; this will be the back of the place mat. 4. Take one B leather piece and 2 opposing A pieces; match them up so that the sides marked "a" are next to each other and place them "good" sides together. Instead of pinning, use small pieces of double-sided tape to hold leather together, no more than 1/2" from the edge of the leather. 5. Sew pieces together according to our leather sewing instructions, with a 1/2" seam allowance, as shown on the template. Smooth flaps open with a bone folder and glue flaps open with leather adhesive. 6. Add topstitch on both sides of the seam, 1/8" from the seam. 7. Repeat steps 4-6 with remaining pieces of leather; place the "good" sides of the two halves together, attach with small pieces of double-sided tape, and sew pieces together with 1/2" seam allowance. Smooth flaps open with a bone folder and glue flaps open with leather adhesive. Add topstitch on both sides of the seam, 1/8" from the seam. 8. Lay canvas pattern C on top of leather mat, "good" sides together. Sew canvas to leather, with a 1/2" seam allowance all around. Make sure to leave just one 10" opening along the side marked "B" in the template (refer to the sample layout). 9. Turn project inside out through the opening so that "good" sides are showing. Tuck in 1/2" of excess fabric from the 10" opening and topstitch 1/4" from the edge around the entire place mat.

Leather"

Desk Organizer

We used an old "leather-like" purse that was purchased at a garage sale to make this desk organizer.You Need:y y y y

Leather, Suede or Imitation Leather (you will need at least two colors to decorate) Three Empty Food Containers of Different Sizes and Heights

Tacky GlueScissors

Instructions: Cut a piece of material for each container. It should be big enough to fit around the container with a 1/4" overlap. Each piece should also be twice as tall as the container it will fit around. Coat a container with a light covering of tacky glue. Wrap the container snugly with the precut material lining up the bottom edges. Run a bead of glue under the overlapped edges to secure. Let dry. Coat the inside with a light covering of tacky glue. Fold material inside, smoothing as much as possible. Repeat for other two containers. Glue all three together. Choose a theme such as the fish shown and cut out pieces in a contrasting color. Use tacky glue to attach.

Leather Belt

Tools and MaterialsMeasuring tape Leather Utility knife All-purpose cement 15 grommets Grommet tool kit Ruler Jax solution Plastic spoon Belt buckle

Leather Belt How-To1. Measure your waist over your clothes with a measuring tape. 2. Cut two rectangles of leather that measure the size of waist plus 2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. Cut the two rectangles a little bit larger, since it is difficult to cut a big piece of leather perfectly. Using all-purpose cement, glue rough sides of these two leather strips. Stick together back-toback and trim down to your true measurements. 3. Making the belt extender: Measure the crossbar of belt buckle. Ours was 1 3/8 inch. Make a smaller double-sided rectangle strip the same way as before so that it will measure 1 3/8 inch by 12 inches.

4. Using a plastic spoon, drop brass grommets into jax solution to give them an antique patina. Remove after 2 seconds and let dry. 5. Using your grommet hole punching tool, create 11 holes on top of the extender piece, each spaced 1 inch apart down the center. Fasten 7 grommets in 11 of the holes. 6. For the piece of leather that holds the buckle, cut one more strip of leather exactly 1 3/8 inch by 12 inches. Punch a hole in the center of the strip. Glue rough ends of the strip leaving one inch on each side of the hole free of glue. Pass the ends through the belt buckle. 7. Stick the prong of the belt buckle through the hole of the strip. Fold the strip in half onto itself, matching up the ends of the rectangle. Enclose the buckle. 8. Center the buckle to one edge of the larger rectangle and secure with glue and 4 grommets. On other end of the rectangle, center your extender piece 8 inches from the edge with the unfinished hole on top of the large rectangle. Glue area where the two pieces will be connected (about 4 inches). 9. Punch four holes through both layers. Put grommets through front and secure to back.

How to Weave a Three-Strand Leather BeltInstructionsThings You'll Needy y y y y y y

Strip of leather 1 1/4" thick (or the thickness you desire) Metal ruler Pencil Cardboard Sharp utility knife Belt buckle Awl

1.o

1Cut the strip of leather a bit longer than you think you'll need. To determine the length, measure your waist size. Add an extra inch per foot of braiding, plus

length for doubling the belt back to attach the buckle, and for extra holes, if you are using a buckle with a tongue.o

2Decide how long you want the braided section to be. On the reverse side of the leather, make two sets of marks dividing the width of the belt in thirds. Using the ruler, connect the marks by drawing two parallel lines the length of the braid. Put a piece of cardboard, or other flat material under the belt to avoid damaging your cutting surface. Cut carefully along the lines, drawing the utility knife firmly against the metal ruler.

o

3Turn the leather so the front is facing you. Braid one of the outer strands over the center strand. Repeat with the other outer strand. Continue in this manner. As you braid, the bottom sections that haven't been braided yet will start to twist over one another.

o

4Hold the braided section in place with one hand, and use the other hand to feed the unbraided section through one of the openings at the bottom, from front to back to untangle it. Then continue braiding.

o

5Tighten the braid when done, and feed the bottom through for a final untangling. Then redistribute the tension.

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6Attach the buckle, trim the belt to the proper size and punch holes for the tongue, if needed.

How to Make a Leather Photo Album Cover InstructionsThings You'll Needy y

Leather Glue

y y y y

Tape measure Leather stamps Leather shears Mallet

1.o

1Open the photo album you want to make a cover for and measure its length, height, and depth. Add 1/4" or a little more to each edge to ensure you get enough material to fold over.

o

2Purchase leather from a leather supplier or a craft shop (see resources). You can buy leather in a variety of colors and textures, depending upon the final look you want.

o

3Use leather shears or even a razor knife to cut the leather for your photo album. Trim the edges of the leather with a leather edge beveler.

o

4Hand stamp any patterns you want stamped into your leather at this time. You can purchase many stamp designs at a leather supplier or craft shop (see resources). Wet the area of leather you want to stamp, then use a rubber mallet to apply the stamp designs to your leather to create decorative patterns or a border. Apply the stamps by tapping the stamp until it sinks into the leather to produce the design.

o

5Open your photo album and fit your leather to it. Fold the edges of your leather around the edges of the photo album and use leather bond to fix the edges in place. Close the photo album and set something heavy on top of it while the glue dries. Give it two hours before you use your photo album to ensure the glue dries thoroughly.

How to Make a Leather Ponytail Holder

InstructionsThings You'll Needy y y y y

Leather, 5 inches wide by 4 inches, 6 or 8 inches long Tailor's chalk or wax pencil Grommets and grommet setter Snaps and snap setter Fine shoe laces, leather cord or ribbon

1.o

1Select a length to suit your hair. If your hair reaches your shoulders, then a 4inch wrap will suit you; with anything longer, you may prefer a 6- or 8-inch wrap (or a selection in all sizes).

o

2Cut a piece of leather 5 inches wide by whatever length you have chosen.

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3Wrap the leather around your ponytail, so that it fits comfortably. Mark with your tailor's chalk or wax pencil where the leather overwraps itself

2. Grommetso

1Roll your leather piece flat, with the 5-inch side at the bottom and top, and with the vertical line that you drew to your right. Measure 1/2 inch to the left and right of that vertical line and draw two more vertical lines. You should have a total of three vertical lines. Erase the middle line and trim the leather along the line on the right. You will affix grommets to the remaining line.

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2Measure inch in from the left-hand edge of the leather, and draw a vertical line. Affix grommets 1 inch apart along your grommet lines. Lace these as you would a shoe or sneaker.

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Wrap your ponytail and tie it snugly; use any excess length of shoelace, ribbon or cord, to tie the wrap directly to your ponytail.

3. Snapso

1Lay the leather flat, with the 5-inch edges on the bottom and top. Measure in inch to from the edge on your left, and draw a vertical line. Affix the top of the snaps, spaced by 1 inch.

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2Measure to inch to the right of the vertical line on your right. Draw a line, and affix the backside of the snaps here.

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3Affix a shoelace, cord or ribbon to your wrap, to tie it to your hair securely. Unroll the leather, and punch a small hole way along the bottom edge. Pass a shoelace or ribbon through this hole, and use it to tie your wrap to your ponytail.

How to Make a Leather Bookmark

InstructionsThings You'll Needy

Leather scrap a quarter to an eighth of an inch in thickness (approximately six and a half inches by two and a half inches) Leather hole punch Artificial sinew (waxed) Leather stamps (optional) Hammer (optional)

1. Make a Leather Bookmarko

1Using a ruler and pencil, mark the dimensions six and a half inches by two and a half inches along the piece of leather. With sharp scissors, cut neatly along the marked lines to create a rectangular bookmark shape.

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2Place your ruler one quarter of an inch from the edge of the bookmark (on all four sides, in succession) and use a pen or pencil to press a firm dot into the leather every half an inch all the way around. This will result in a series of even indentations marked in half-inch increments along the four sides of the bookmark.

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3Use a leather punch or sharp hole punch to make small holes directly over the dots that you previously marked around the edges of the bookmark.

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4The weaving process.

Thread a large needle with artificial sinew and wrap the waxed thread around the edges of the leather bookmark by going down into each hole in succession. Wrap the sinew around the outside edge of the bookmark before going back into the next punched hole. This creates a series of evenly spaced diagonal lines. When you reach the last hole, change directions and thread the sinew back through the holes once again to create "x" marks all the way around. At the last stitch, tie sinew carefully with one knot at the back of the bookmark and thread a

quarter to half an inch of the sinew underneath the stitches on the back side before trimming off the excess sinew.o

5Position leather stamps where desired and hammer gently.

If desired, choose a location on your bookmark for an imprint of a leather stamp. Place the metal stamp against the leather and use a hammer to tap with medium pressure two to three times in a steady motion. Remove the stamp to reveal the image.

Easy Leather PouchNative American Indians carried their special possessions in a small pouch like this.Materials 2 1/2"x9" Leather Fabric 3' Leather Lacing/Waxed thread Tools Mallet Nail Wooden block Glue PVC Ring

If you are using leather lacing, cut the end at an angle and put a couple drops of superglue on it to make needle. Make sure the nail is large enough that the lacing will fit easily through the holes. If you use waxed thread, you will need a large eye needle. These can be found at leather supply stores. Choose a nail that is large enough for the lacing to easily pass through. Punch holes for lacing.y

Fold 3" of the leather up to form the pouch. As illustrated below.

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Punch holes through both layers of the leather every 1/2" using the nail. Try to make the holes evenly spaced. Do the same thing to the other side. Now open up the pouch and make the four holes for the belt loop. These should be near the top and bottom of the back. See the illustration below.

Next make the belt loop. You can also add a PVC ring to make a neckerchief slide.y y y y y y

Poke lacing from the inside out through one of the top holes. Put on a PVC ring. Thread lacing in through the bottom hole below the top hole. Thread lacing out through other the bottom hole. Thread lacing through the PVC ring. Thread lacing in through other the top hole. Tie lacing ends together using a square knot. Lacing should be a little loose so a belt can slide easily through. Cut off excess lacing. Now lace up the sides.

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Tie an overhand knot at the end of the leather lacing. Start at the top and poke lacing through first hole from the back. Go through both layers of leather. Either poke lacing down through next hole or go around edge and poke up from the bottom. If you are using waxed thread, you can tie the end of the thread to this first loop. Continue until all holes on one side are finished. Add beads to the lacing if you want. Tie a knot in the end. You don't want the lacing to be so tight that it causes the leather to bunch up or too loose that your treasures will fall out. Cut off excess lacing. Now repeat the process for the other side.

Faux-Leather BoxTools and MaterialsWooden box Latex-infused faux-animal-skin paper Mat knife Chip brush Bone folder Glue, such as Yes paste Measuring tape or ruler Scissors Paint (optional)

Faux-Leather Box How-To1. If desired, paint the interior of the box. Allow to dry. 2. Measure the sides of the box, all the way around, as well as the height. Using a mat knife, cut a long strip of paper to wrap around the sides and the bottom of the box. With a chip brush that's been trimmed down to make the bristles stiff, glue the paper onto the box. Take your time and make sure it's smooth and even; employ the bone folder, if necessary. Trim away any excess paper. 3. Measure the top and lip of the box's lid and cut a piece of animal paper to those measurements, adding a little extra to be safe. Apply glue to the top of the lid, center the lid on the paper, and glue down. Snip a square of the paper at each of the four corners; fold up and glue the sides, trimming away any extra paper.