I feel the need to say that this is my LAST Valentine’s Day related craft. It’s been a little hearts gone wild over here, I know. Valentine’s is just such a fun holiday! But I’m done now. I promise. I think.
But this is one of my favorites. Did you know they sell brads in the shape of hearts? How cute, right? Full disclosure, I had no idea what a “brad” was when I saw them in the craft store. But it came in the shape of a heart, and therefore I felt compelled to buy it. And then I felt compelled to make a bracelet with them. Combining hearts with leather (like with studs) adds the right amount of toughness.
DIY Leather Bracelets for Valentine’s!
To make your own leather heart bracelets you will need:
- A strip of craft leather or scrap leather from an old purse or coat
- Heart shaped brads
- Embroidery thread and needle
- Button
First, measure around your wrist and cut the leather about an inch longer than your measurement. You need a bit of extra length for your button closure. You can make the bracelet as wide as you like!
Then measure the center of the bracelet and poke a hole through at the top with your needle.
Stick in one of the brads and repeat the rest of the way down the bracelet. Using a ruler to get an equal distance between your holes is recommended. (I always want to skip this part and always end up regretting it.)
This is what it looks like on the underside with the prongs of the brads out flat. Then sew on a button at one end and cut a little slit on the other end for it to fit through.
To stitch a heart, find the center of your bracelet and draw your shape lightly with pencil. Then stitch with embroidery thread. Poke a hole in one corner with your needle and add a heart brad.
You can also do an XOXO version with little cross stitches and brads for the O’s.
Want more stylish heart ideas? Check out this studded sweatshirt or this sequin t-shirt.
Happy Thursday – I can’t believe January is over already!
Hi thanx for the good posts :)
Think my and my girl (6 ½ years) are gonna make these tomorrow – but only in felt :)
These bracelets are so nice. Thanks for sharing!
I love these! Ialso work with leather but never thought to do this, very cute!
I love these bracelets! Please don’t stop with the heart posts, they brighten my day to see them :)
Thanks for share this info
Good idea! I love using leather for projects!
Super cute, and perfect for Valentine’s Day!
…I think I’ll try with felt!!!
thank you, xxx Ale
Oh I love these. So cute. I want to make one. And seriously – Valentine’s Day crafts are so much fun!! You can keep posting them :)
Thank you Rachel – seriously, aren’t hearts the best? It’s hard to stop! :)
It’s okay, you don’t have to be done. ;) I like it!
I never knew they were called brads. Ooh now I can sound all pro-crafty. I really need to get some embroidery thread and a needle. Seeing all your wonderful creations is rather inspiring!
Pretty much all of my projects include embroidery thread, don’t they? It’s like craft magic! Plus it’s pretty darn handy since I can’t sew :)
I think this accessory is year round appropriate. Pshh to those who only do hearts in February!
I think this is awesome.
Excellent! It seems not very difficult to make.
I absolutely love this idea. I’m a huge Valentine’s day fan and I’m so glad u posted this.
Wonderful job!!! :)
I have those heart shaped brads! I also have some cute, tiny colored ones too. Using them as studs is a stroke of genius. These are adorable!
This is so cool! I would have never thought to sew through leather!
These are so cute! The heart brads really finish the look :)
What a great idea! I saved some of my husband’s leather jackets it would make a nice Valentine gift for my daughters.