Quick Leather Accessories You Can Make Yourself

Leather accessories, like chokers and bracelets, are easy to make so why pay a fortune for them? Small pieces of leather can be purchased at a craft store. These are great for bracelets, anklets and possibly arm bands. For larger creations check with your local upholstery shops to see if they might have some leftover leather from a previous job. Or, if you plan to make lots of leather accessories, find out if you can order a hide. Leather is expensive to purchase by the hide but will literally make dozens and dozens of items.

If you want the leather look without the expense of leather ask an upholsterer about Naugahyde. Naugahyde is a vinyl-type material which looks much like leather and comes in vibrant colors and designs. It’s not nearly as expensive as leather and most upholsterers, particularly ones that do automotive or marine work, have some in stock.

Decide on the width you want for a leather choker then measure the circumference of your neck. Cut these measurements out of the leather, allowing an extra three inches, to the length, for fastening. It’s very important to cut the leather very straight, with really good scissors. Most household machines are not suitable for stitching and hemming the leather so having a nice, smooth cut is important.

You can cut the pieces out, if you want, then take them to an upholsterer or an alterations shop and they can hem the pieces for you but it will cost extra. The pieces are small, though, so shouldn’t cost too much. It really isn’t necessary to hem them unless you absolutely want that look.

An upholstery shop has the equipment to install snaps and studs into the leather, and won’t charge you much. Pick a small, one-man operation for the most reasonable cost. At an upholstery shop they have snaps and other hardware that can be inserted into the leather choker. Or, you can have the upholsterer put in the snaps then you can purchase studs that you hammer into the leather, at home. The studs are available in many sizes and several colors to make each piece different than the next.

If you’d rather not go to an upholsterer you have other options for fastening the choker. Punch holes at each end of the choker then use matching, small bracelets for the fasteners. Insert the bracelets into the leather ends then use the fasteners on the bracelets to secure the choker. The choker will have to be cut shorter than normal, to allow for the chains. Measure the neck circumference minus the length of the chain when it’s fastened. You can also use velcro strips to fasten the choker. Use fabric glue to attach one side of the velcro to one end of the choker, then the other side of the velcro to the opposite end of the choker.

Make an arm band in the same manner. Cut the arm band the width that you desire and measure the circumference of the upper arm to decide the length. Cut it smaller if you will be using bracelets to secure it or longer if you’re using velcro. Bracelets are designed in the same manner, whether they’re for wrists or ankles.

Make a belt by cutting the width you want then deciding on the length according to what fastening method you will use. Bracelets or snaps are good for a belt but velcro isn’t the best bet for that particular project.

Leather accessories are especially impressive with certain outfits but you don’t have to order yours from a catalog and pay top dollar. Try some of these simple designs to have the latest look at a small cost.