Braided Leather Cuff Bracelet

SUPPLY LIST:Metal Cuff Bracelet With Insert SpaceVeg-Tan Tooling Leather (4 to 5 oz.) 2-1/2” x 7” Leather Lace 1/4” x 7”Paper & Pencil For Pattern, Stylus (Modeling Tool)Cutting Mat, Craft Knife, Scissors, Straight Edge RulerLeathercraft Cement, Protective Leather Finish & Applicator

Optional: Leather Dyes, Acrylic Paints Or Permanent Markers

How To Prepare The Leather:

Braiding & Assembly Steps:First, sketch a pattern: For this braid, you will need an odd number of slits. Now lightly scribe lines onto face of leather using a stylus.

TIP: Now you can color the leather with leather dyes, stains, antiques or use acrylics paints or permanent markers. Be sure all is dry before continuing. NOTE: The separate center lace can be a different color.

Cuffs may differ in size. Measure your cuff space to be covered. Cut leather slightly oversized. (This sample leather is 2-1/2” x 7”.)

Step 1: Cut lines with craft knife & straight edge on a cutting mat.Apply color. (See TIP below.)

Step 2: Apply glue to front of one lace end and below first slit on leather (centered) as shown.

Step 3: Hold down in position until glue sets.

TIP: If the lace you are using is thick, skive (thin) the ends so when pressed and glued down into position it won’t leave an impression through the leather.

Center

Rough (skived) side of lace with glue on other (smooth) side.

PATTERN (Shown: 3/16” slit width / 25 slits)

1-1/4”

Step 4: Push other end of lace through 1st slit.

Step 5: Pull lace through 1st slit to front side of leather.

Step 6: On front side, push end of lace through slit 3.

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3

Rough Side

2-1/2”

4-1/2”7”

Silver Creek Leather Company, Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130, www.realeather.com

Step 10: Bring end back out slit 3. This is the first braid.

Step 11: Start next braid. Push end down slit 5, out 4, down 3.

Step 12: Continue (as in Steps 6 - 10).

Step 13: To finish on backside, trim lace with scissors.

Step 14: (Skive end if thick lace.) Apply glue to lace and leather as in Step 2.

Step 15: Hold down in position until glue sets.

Silver Creek Leather Company, Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130, www.realeather.com

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3 345

Step 7: Push end out slit 2 & back through slit 1.

Step 8: Pull to form a loop. Step 9: Continue pulling over and down into slit 1.

Step 17: Carefully open grip ends with modeling tool if necessary. Trim width & length to fit space & so it will slip under grip ends.

Step 18: Apply glue to backside of braided piece.

Step 19: Slip ends under grips, position leather on cuff and hold in place until glue sets.

Step 16: When braided leather is dry, apply a protective leather finish. For best results, use a brush to get finish down into cuts and over braid. Set aside and let dry. Then proceed to Step 17 for assembly.