DIY: Recycled Leather Cuff

Today it's all about those cute leather cuffs. We're going to play with a small strip of recycled leather and within an hour it will be transformed into a stylish, eco-friendly leather cuff. The best part? It can be made for a few dollars or less. Let's get started.

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What You'll Need:
recycled piece of leather (think old handbag, belt, etc.)
raised button
scrap fabric
strong twine or thread (I used waxed linen)
colorful thread
Fray Check

either:
hammer and awl or nail
or
small drill

sewing machine with a heavy duty needle (denim or leather weight)

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What You'll Do:

I used leather from an old handbag I got from Goodwill.
Be sure to check your own closet first!

Measure: a comfy size to go around your wrist plus about 2" (for overlap)

Using a straight edge and rotary cutter, I cut out my strip: 8 1/4" x 1 1/2"

Find your button. It should be raised a bit on the underside.

On the left: my leather and raised button.
On the right: an example of another cuff I've put together (note...this is addictive)

Flip your leather over and measure in about 3/4" and then center. Draw a skinny water droplet a little larger than your button.

You can begin the hole with your hammer and nail or awl OR
use a drill, as I did.

Now take your scissors and cut out the opening.

Time to pull out a few pieces of scrap fabric.

As you can see, my cut-outs are basic - no fancy shapes here.

Make sure that your heavy needle is on your machine and pull out a couple (or a few) fun colors to work with. I decided to use green and turquoise. This will be the stem.

Set your stitch length to the longest possible setting and adjust your tension accordingly.
Slow and steady wins the race here. You'll want to sew very slowly.

Be whimsical with your stitches! Not only is it prettier, it's easier.

This is the back. Trim your thread.

Use Fray Check around your fabric.

Time to punch a couple of holes through the leather for your button.

Sew the button using your linen or twine leaving about 3-4" on the end.

Tie off your linen or twine. Use a drop of glue on the knot for extra strength.

One.

Pretty.

Cuff.

Even on my man hand wrist. Now how easy was that?