Simple Leather Bracelet From Scraps

After making myself a Red Shopping bag (before I joined Instructables so I sadly do not have a link) from dyed Veg Tan, I had many scrap pieces left over. I made sheaths for all my blades and then, with more left I made this simple bracelet. It is very versatile as the size can be changed easily and multiple times, it doesn't need a closure, and is pretty cool!

Materials

A piece of scrap leather (I used 1.6mm/4oz Veg Tan)

Waxed synthetic thread

Wire Coathanger or other source of wire

Tools

Mallet

Knife

Glue (I use a neoprene contact cement but any leather glue is fine)

Stitching Irons or a fok and Awl.

2 x Needles

Sandpaper (120 and 400 grit)

Slicker or rag

Wire cutters

Bulldog Clips

Burnishing Agent (I use Tokonole, but water will work)

Awil or needle, something to mark the leather

Measure your wrist, or the wrist of the prospective owner and add 20mm. Cut a strip of leather to the required length, at least 40mm wide.

Cut a length of wire long enough to fit with 10-15mm clearence at each end.

Paste glue over the whole of the reverse side, place the wire on top of the glue.

From the centre of the strip of leather, fold the leather around the wire and secure with a bulldog clip. repeat all along the length. It is important that the ends are completely sealed, so making the ends a priority is a good idea when placing your clips/

Set the clipped leather aside and allow to dry for several hours.

Remove the clips and using an awl, needle or other sharp tool to make a small mark at either end of the wire. This will mark where the stitching begins (and ends!).

Using a stitching iron, awl, fork or similar, mark and punch holes along the length of the wire.

We sew the leather with Saddle Stitch. There are many videos and tutorials showing how to do saddle stitch. Here is a link to an instructable

https://www.instructables.com/How-to-saddle-stitch...

Put a double stitch at each end sew all along the bracelet.

Trim off the excess leather, rounding the ends. Sand the edges and rounded ends ensuring there are no "pointy bits" that could be uncomfortable for the wearer.

Once sanded, apply youur burnishing agent, (I use Tokonole, but water is fine), and briskly rub the edge. Pressure is not necessary, just a fast, repetitive action to apply gentle friction without forcing the fibres.

You can add beeswax here if you wish, but it is optional.

Take you bracelet and bend it around a can, mug or, as I did, a wooden mallet. Finish the bending around your wrist and shape it to how you want it.

A great, simple project that usees scraps.

Enjoy!