Love Leather? 6 Ways to Use It in Your Next Project

—Cody Calamaio

Often equated with luxury, leather can really give your DIY projects that extra-special touch. And despite its luxe rep, it’s not difficult to work with: It’s easy to cut, puncture, and stitch into a variety of personal items. It’s even sturdy enough to bear weight! Whether you use it in a large-scale project or small DIYs that require just scraps, nothing will go to waste. Here, we’ve rounded up our favorite leather swag that you can make yourself

Photo: Whimsey Box

1. KEEP AN EYE ON THE PRIZE

You can make this simple eyeglass case by gluing a layer of leather to felt, cutting out the case, and then decorating it with stenciled triangles. (The stencil is made by using an X-acto knife to cut out a small triangle in painter’s tape.) The U-shaped piece of leather is then folded in half and stitched together.

Related: 9 No-Sew Projects to Dress Up Any Room

Photo: Lovely Indeed

2. CLIP ON STYLE
This simple, customizable leather tie clip would make a great gift for the guy who has everything. It is made by stamping a small piece of leather and attaching it with heavy-duty glue to a tie clip backing.

Related: 10 Gifts You Can Make in a Weekend

Photo: Almost Makes Perfect

3. CHECK YOUR BAGGAGE
Make this no-sew DIY luggage tag by cutting two pieces of leather into the shape of a luggage tag and using an X-acto knife to cut a flap into one of the pieces. A small sheet of vellum is glued between them, leaving room for a card to slide inside.

Related: 5 Things to Do with… Old Luggage

Photo: Jepsen Leather Goods

4. TROT THE GLOBE
This DIY leather passport holder looks luxurious, but it’s fairly simple to make. Just download and print a passport-holder pattern and punch holes in the perimeters of the pieces with an awl. Stitch the pieces in place with waxed linen thread.

Related: 9 Ways to Safeguard Your House Before a Vacation

Photo: Design Milk

5. TAKE A SEAT
Add DIY flair to a store-bought piece with this chic leather stool cover. Cut two pieces of leather large enough to cover the diameter plus the thickness of the stool’s seat. Cut appropriate holes in the bottom piece to allow for the legs. Line up the circles and punch holes in both layers at once, then stitch up with cord.

Related: Sitting Pretty - 11 Amazing Chair Makeovers

Photo: Camille Styles

6. STRAP IN
In lieu of bulky brackets, use strips of leather to suspend wall shelving. Simply cut two pieces of leather to equal lengths, fold in half, and attach the loops to the wall using a screw. This project could also be done using old leather belts.

Related: 10 Insanely Creative Shelves You Can DIY

Want more ideas for ways to use leather in your next DIY? See the rest at BobVila.com.