If you have every shot a long bow, like the PVC pipe ones found on instructables, you may sometimes experience the discomfort of the bow string snapping on your arm. You may also have felt the discomforts of pulling the string with your bare fingers.

Here you can learn to make a simple armguard and finger tab for less than $5 worth of material.

Step 1: Materials Needed:

Materials:
1. Leather (Bought a Leather pack at Michael's)
2. String, twine
3. Braided Elastic (Walmart)

Tools:
1. Scissors, E-Acto knife
2. Leather hole punch and pencil
3. Needle (large is preferable)
4. Leather cement (Not needed but can be useful, also bought at Michael's)

Step 2: Finger Tab: Cut Out the Leather

1 - Cut out one side of the finger tab, follow the template above (1st and 2nd images, size = 3.5 inches long x 3.4 inches wide). The size may vary based on the size of your hand. The idea is to use three fingers (pointer, middle, and ring fingers) to pull back the bow string.

2 - Now cut out the other side. *NOTE* You need to invert the first piece of leather cut (or pattern) so that when it is cut out you can match both sizes.

3 - Next you will need to cut out the middle finger hole. The size of the hole is based off of you middle finger width. Make the cut with scissors or an X-acto knife on one piece first, then follow with the other.

*** Don't worry about the leather being perfectly cut during this stage, later we will be able to trim the excess/overhang.

Step 3: Finger Tab: Sewing the Two Pieces Together

1 - There are two locations on the leather that will need to be sewed together. The two approximate locations are outlined above, as denoted by the 4 holes for each part.

2 - Place the leather pieces together (softer sides of the leather facing each other). The pattern/method for sewing does not matter, it just needs to secure the two leather pieces together in those locations. Tie a knot to finish the sewing of each section.

*** After you have finished sewing both of those locations you can cut any of the excess/overhanging leather to make each side flush.

Congratulations! You have just finished the Archery Finger Tab!

Step 4: Armguard: Cutting Out the Leather

Two pieces of leather are preferred for the armguard, one of the leather pieces being thicker than the other.

1 - Cut out the thinner price of leather to cover part of the palm and to about 1/2 to 3/4 of your forearm. Some of the leather will circle the arm.

2 - The thicker leather will be placed on top of the other piece and will be smaller. Cut the thicker leather similar to what is shown in the pictures above.

Step 5: Armguard: Sewing the Leather Together

1 - Using the hole puncher make holes in the thicker leather (spread the holes evenly). You can use a pencil to poke out any leftover leather from the holes, it will make it easier to sew if you can see through all the holes.

2 - Once the holes have been punched, lay the price of thicker leather on top of the other thinner piece. I used leather cement/glue to hold the thicker leather in place (needs to dry for a few minutes) while I sewed it to the thinner piece. End the sewing with a knot or 2 or 3.

Step 6: Armguard: Sewing on the Thumb Strap

1 - Using a thin strip of leather you can create the thumb strap. Measure the strip by placing the armguard on your arm and placing the leather strip from the palm around the thumb to the other part of the armguard.

2 - Sew the top part first. Tie a knot at the end of the string and then begin sewing, starting from beneath the leather. The sew pattern doesn't matter, what matters is that you have enough connections (up/down) to make it a solid bond. End the sewing with a knot or 2 or 3.

3 - Measure how much leather is need to wrap around the thumb and where you will need to sew it to the armguard. Then do a similar stitch as above.

*** You can cut off the excess leather or string.

Step 7: Armguard: Attaching Elastic Bands

Next you will need to attach the elastic bands. I purchased a couple different thickness braided elastic bands at Wal-Mart (3/8 inch or 3/4 inch, just depends on your preference). For this instructable I am using the 3/8 inch thickness.

1 - Measure a piece of the elastic that is about the width of your wrist. You will need to sew the first piece of elastic near the your wrist. Make sure the elastic is laid in the direction away from the armguard. Perform similar stitches as before, just enough to make sure it holds. End the sewing with a knot or 2 or 3.

2 - Now put on the armguard and measure where the elastic will meet the armguard on the other side. Make sure that the elastic is snug/tight, this will help keep the armguard in place when you shoot. Again perform the same/similar stitch you used before but be mindful of the elastic direction, tail will be on the inside of the armguard (see pictures above).

3 - Repeat steps 1-2 again but move the elastic band towards the end of the armguard.

Congratulations! You have just finished the Archery Armguard!

Step 8: Final Product

Hope you have enjoyed this instructable! Please comment and let me know what can be improved for if you have any great ideas for modifications to the instructable.

Enjoy your Archery Armguard and Finger Tab!!!