It’s a little known fact that I worked with a leather accessory designer for 7 long years and needless to say, I know more about leather than anyone in their right mind needs to know. When I use leather for a DIY now it’s a bit of a surreal experience because I never thought in a million years I’d be working with it again. But alas, leather always comes back in style and leather accessories are the easiest way to add a little edge to an outfit without biting the entire leather bullet. So I give you, my {easy} leather cut-out statement necklace tutorial.
* Hat custom made by Etsy shop Spring Canyon Hats. You can get the same one by contacting them and custom ordering the “…love Maegan “Barracuda” Fedora hat”
Here’s What You’ll Need…
* Leather
* Scissors/Razor blade
* Pen/Paper
* Ribbon or leather for closure …or if you’re skilled you can use an eyelet or d-ring and metal jewelry closures. I took the easy way out.
* Also note: I played around with adding chains or lace peeking through the cut outs but left it as-is for now. I may add to it at a later date but I like the simplicity.
Steps…
* Sketch your necklace freehand or use another necklace as a pattern. Cut one side out.
* To create a mirror image of my shape, I cut out one side then folded it onto the other, using it as a guide to cut the other side.
* Try on your paper pattern to make sure it lays the way you want it to around your neck. Make any necessary adjustments.
* Trace your pattern onto the suede side of your leather.
* Cut out your pattern. If your leather is thin enough, you can easily use scissors.
* Using a light pencil on the suede side, draw on your pattern. I just eye-balled this but if you want a more intricate pattern, you may want to draw it out or use your computer to get it precise.
Pattern design ideas: Mila Necklace and Earrings Gabriela Iskin, 2010, Pamela Love at Bona Drag
* Cut out your design. It’s best to use a razor/exacto blade but I couldn’t find mine so I CAREFULLY used my sharpest little scissors
* Make a slice on either end of your necklace, parallel with the edge, about a half an inch in.
* Like this.
* Slide ribbon or leather lacing through {I used pink to demonstrate}. If you’re skilled you can obviously create any kind of closure here.
And… Voila!
Have Fun!
* Find all my DIYs here
