Introduction: Faux Leather Bracelet (DIY)

Hello everyone! Here is how to customize your own faux leather bracelet with an adjustable wristband.

*Click on the pictures to see the full image*

Attachments

Step 1: Collect Your Materials

You are welcome to substitute the materials, but this tutorial uses the following:

Materials:

  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Led Pencil Faux Leather
  • A 1/8” Circle Hand Punch
  • String (Faux Leather Cord, Hemp Cord, Etc.)
  • A Walnut Hollow® Wood Burning Tool (with A Shading Point)

Step 2: Connect the Wood Burner to a Power Outlet

Make sure that the shading point is already attached to the wood burning tool and plug the cord into a power outlet to allow the tool to heat up. Set it aside.

WARNING! This wood burning tool heats up to 950˚F, so secure the tool and keep it out of reach (especially from children) while it is not in use. Also, carefully unscrew the point with pliers if the tool is already hot and you want to use a different point. For more safety information about the device, please refer to your product’s instruction manual.

Step 3: Choose Your Leather

Choose the leather that you would like to use for your bracelet. I will be using the light brown leather shown below (1/8-inch thick).

Step 4: Measure & Cut a Rectangular Piece of Leather

Measure and cut out a rectangular piece of leather long enough for the wrist of the person who you are making this bracelet for. The suggested size is 2 ¼ inch x ½ inch.

Step 5: Use a Hole-Puncher to Mark 1/8" Incision Points

Use your circle hole puncher to make an incision point on each end of the leather cut-out (approximately 1/8-inch away from the ends).

  • Note: If the leather you are using is thick, the hole puncher will not go through the material all the way. The hole puncher will just make a mark as is shown in image #4.

Step 6: Use a Wood Burner to Create the Holes

Carefully grab your heated wood burning tool and burn through the leather at the incision points made by the hole puncher. To do this, you should place the tip of the shading point in the middle of the mark and twist the tool in a circular motion while applying pressure.

  • Note: You will be holding the piece of leather in your hands so be careful and keep your fingers away from the heated tool. Also, make sure that you stay within the mark made by the hole puncher so that you do not accidentally burn any other parts of the leather. The hole should be at least 1/8-inch big for the strings to go through it.

Step 7: Sketch Your Design Onto the Leather

Use a pencil to sketch out your personalized message or design onto the leather. A led pencil is recommended because of its thin point, allowing your design to be more precise.

Step 8: Use the Wood Burner to Engrave Your Design Onto the Leather

Use the wood burner to engrave your personalized design. You do not need to apply much pressure when engraving your design since the tool is extremely hot.

  • Note: The darker the leather, the less color contrast there will be between your material and your design—meaning that you will be less likely to see your design.

Step 9: Choose Your String

Choose the type of string you would like to use for your bracelet. This tutorial uses a dark-brown leather string, but you have creative liberty to decide which material and color of string is best for your project.

Step 10: Measure & Cut (2) 12-Inch Strings

Measure and cut (2) 12-inch strings.

  • Note: The suggested length is for a small-wrist size. For a larger-wrist size, increase the length to approximately 14 inches.

Step 11: Create a Lark’s Head Knot at Each End of the Leather

Create a lark’s head knot at each end of the leather.

  1. You can start by grabbing one cord and inserting both of its ends through one of the holes, with the front of the leather facing upwards.
  2. Then, put the ends of the string through the loop that was created in the previous step.
  3. Next, pull the strings down from behind the leather so that the loop is closer to the hole.
  4. Finally, pull the ends of the strings all the way through the loop.
  5. Repeat the process for the other string.

Step 12: Tie a General Knot at the End of the Strings

Gather both ends of a single string—make sure they are lined up at the end. Then, tie a general knot very close to the ends so that you do not waste much of the string. You can do this by looping both strings around and then inserting the end of the string through the loop. Tighten the knot and repeat the process for the other strands.

Step 13: Wrap a General Knot Around the Opposite Strings

Wrap A General Knot Around The Opposite Strings

  1. To start, wrap the first cord around the second.
  2. Cross the first cord over itself.
  3. Tuck the end of the first string behind the loop and pull the end of the string through the hole
    • Make sure that the knot is very close to the end of the string.
  4. Repeat the process for the second string and make sure all knots are tightened well.

Note: This has created an adjustable wristband for the bracelet. You can pull on the individual knots to expand or tighten the wrist size.

Step 14: Cut the Loose Ends

Cut the loose ends of both strings but leave a small reserve for the next step.

Step 15: Melt the Loose Ends Towards the Knot

Use the wood burner to melt or burn the excess string towards the knot. This will secure the knot and prevent it from unraveling in the future.

  • Note: This process will emit some smoke, so be careful with inhaling the fumes.

Step 16: You Are All Done!