Origami Leather Handle Cover for Cast Iron Skillet

Who likes cooking?

My love to cooking added some nice new frying pans to our home - IRON CAST. Usually, their handle is cast with the whole body, which can get really hot while cooking. A handle cover is a must in this type of kitchen. Of course, it can be bought ready-made, as was done at first place. The only problem was that it was too small to fit the handle of the big skillet, or more precisely too short.

There are many types of HANDLE COVERS with the main ones from silicone and leather. In this DIY, a thick LEATHER one will be made.
This project was on standby for some time since the stitching step was tricky and required some extra tools. The tricky part was mainly, leathers' thickness, which is very hard to sew with a regular sewing machine. Hand sewing leather punch is the tool that can help with this, and also precise location of it onto the leather, since you are joining two different parts. Somewhere there, an idea of making a folded handle was born - inspired by ORIGAMI. The idea just 'grubbed' me into the flow of creativity.

With some googling, no online pattern was available, so one should be created. Yeah, lets create the one! Minimalist and simple DIY project that uses only a piece of leather, a PROVIDED PATTERN and a sharp knife, 'wrapped' in two folding steps.

SUPPLIES

LEATHER | PATTERN | SHARP KNIFE & MAT

LEATHER
2 mm thickness, 15x12.5 cm one piece.
This is a very stiff leather which makes it easy to cut with a sharp knife.
Also, it provides perfect insulation from the heat.

PATTERN

Took me some time, paper and fun to create this origami pattern.
It accommodates with ease a handle that is 13 cm long with a circumference of 8 cm, at its thickest part.
There are two patterns on an A4 paper just cause there was some extra space. You can use one for creating a paper handle and checking that it fits ok. Remember that the leather is thick, so it will be much tighter than the paper one. The second one can be used as the pattern.

SHARP KNIFE
One that will cut through a thick leather. A cutting mat and a pen that will be seen on the leather and stay there while working.

IF YOU LIKE THE PATTERN
Buy me a coffee :D

CUTTING
Cut the pattern and outline it onto the leather.
Cut the leather.

TIP
After making the main cuts, you can cut the small bits from the back side of the leather, it's much easier to see these gaps between the cuts.

FOLDING
Shape the piece to a tube like form, for easier handling.

Start the folding from the big opening and then the small one.

1. Big opening folding steps:
   First insert one side and then the other, after insert the middle portion of the long edge.
2. Small opening folding steps:
   Shape the cut hole so that it will be easier to insert a thick portion of leather. Rotate the small sides to a tube and insert through the hole. Straighten the ends
   
   

WHILE USING
At first, every small spot will be seen on this bare leather.
With time, this handles' color will be deeper, a natural feel and softness will make it just perfect.

That's all folks!
Have fun!