Leather crafts look expensive, but most of them only need a few scraps, a sharp blade and some glue. These 8 leather crafts start with quick wins like hair bows, a heart coin purse and a tassel keychain, then work up to stamped key fobs, a braided headband and a hand stitched wallet. Rustic tassel ornaments dress up the tree for the holidays, and one pairs leather lace with brass tubing for a hanging planter that looks straight out of a boutique. Faux leather from the fabric store works for many of them, and leather supply shops often sell bags of scraps for a few dollars. Keep a cutting mat under your work, and test every stamp or punch on a scrap before you touch the good piece.
1. DIY Leather Hair Bows
Leather hair bows look boutique bought, but they come together with three strips and a dab of glue. Cut one piece about 7 by 1 1/4 inches, a second about 4 by 1 1/4 inches, and a skinny 1/2 by 2 1/2 inch strip for the center. Glue the ends of the long piece into a loop and pinch the middle. Notch the ends of the second piece and glue it underneath, then wrap the little strip around the center. Faux leather works great, and an alligator clip lets one bow move from a ponytail to a headband.
Get the full tutorial at Cute Girls Hairstyles.
2. DIY Leather Tassel Keychain
This DIY leather tassel keychain has a soft, rounded waterfall shape that swings every time you grab your bag. Start with a rectangle of thin leather or suede and cut a fine fringe along one long edge. Here’s the trick: keep the right side about an inch longer than the left, so the strands stack into that bell shape once it’s rolled. Roll it tight around a key ring loop and a strip of tape, glue the top and wrap it. A narrower rectangle gives you a shorter tassel, so you can make a whole rainbow.
Get the full tutorial at Persia Lou.
3. DIY Leather Conversation Hearts
Stamped leather conversation hearts turn a Valentine’s candy into a keepsake that lasts. Grab pre-cut leather hearts and a set of leather alphabet stamps. Run a strip of washi tape across each heart as a guide so the letters stay straight, then stamp from the center out on a hard surface with four or five firm taps per letter. Practice on a test heart first! Rub in leather conditioner to seal it. Set an eyelet for a key fob, or punch two holes and add chain for a necklace. It’s a great gift for a guy.
Get the full tutorial at The Polka Dot Chair.
4. Leather Heart Coin Purse
A leather heart coin purse is one of the fastest leather crafts around, about five minutes start to finish. Cut two hearts around 3 inches tall from craft leather, or buy them pre-cut. Glue around the edge of one heart, leaving a 2 inch gap at the top, and press the two together. Punch a hole through both layers in the middle of that gap, cut a small slit just below it on the front heart, and screw a button stud through the back. It’s just right for coins, earbuds or a spare hair tie.
Get the full tutorial at Fabric Paper Glue.
5. DIY Rustic Leather Tassel Ornaments
Rustic leather tassel ornaments add warm caramel texture to a Christmas tree for about a dollar apiece. Cut an 8 inch piece of leather lace for the hanging loop and lay it across the top of a piece of cardboard. Wind more lace generously around the cardboard, slide the bundle off and tie the loop tight. Wrap a 12 inch piece around the neck about half an inch down, knot it, then snip through the bottom loops. They don’t need to be perfect! Hang them on the tree, a wreath or a wrapped gift.
Get the full tutorial at City Farmhouse.
6. Braided Leather Headband
A braided leather headband is a great beginner project and a smart way to use up thin leather cord. Pick up a skinny metal headband at the dollar store, then cut three strands of leather or suede lace a little longer than you need. Braid about 20 inches, keeping the tension even so the braid lies flat, then trim it to fit the band. Secure the braid along the top of the headband and tuck the ends underneath. Bronze looks polished, and brightly colored suede strips are just as cute for summer.
Get the full tutorial at Kristina J.
7. DIY Leather and Brass Teardrop Hanging Planter
This leather and brass teardrop hanging planter looks like a high end boutique piece. Cut 1/8 inch brass tubing into short pieces and a few 9 1/2 inch lengths, then thread them onto 30 gauge floral wire to build a ring of pentagons. The long tubes rise up and meet at the top, forming the teardrop. Slip a small bowl inside before you close the last side, so nothing has to bend. Hot glue a leather lace at the point, wrap a second piece around it, and plant a succulent.
Get the full tutorial at Vintage Revivals.
8. DIY Leather Wallet
This DIY leather wallet is a lovely first real leathercraft project, and it makes a thoughtful handmade gift. You’ll need about a square foot of vegetable tanned leather, which runs around $10. Cut a body piece about 7 1/2 by 4 1/4 inches plus an inner pocket with a gentle wave, testing the shape on cardstock first. Condition the leather with neatsfoot oil, then sand and burnish the edges. Hold the pieces together with contact cement, punch stitch holes with a stitching chisel and hand stitch it closed.
Get the full tutorial at Primer.
