Leather Key Holder Instructions
1 - Check you have everything in your Key Holder kit:
- Pre-cut and Punched Leather Piece
- 3 x Canvas Cloth for burnishing & protecting
- 2 x Binder Clips to help you stitch
- 2 x Colours of Handmade Waxed Thread
- 1 x Keyring Loop
- 2 x Sewing Needles
- 2 x Leather Cord
You will also need:
- Small pair of scissors
- A little pot of water
- Your quality time, ½ - 1 hours
2 - Measure the Thread
Your Key Holder has 2 stitching sections, so you will need to cut 2 x 60cm lengths of thread. Start by choosing the thread color that you would like to stitch with, then measure and cut the pieces of wax thread.
3 - Burnish
Burnish edges indicated in the diagram.
Burnishing leather is the process of sealing and smoothing the rough, raw edges of a leather item to produce professionally finished edges.
Start burnishing by using your fingertip to gently wet the outer edges of your Key Holder. Be careful not to get any liquid on the leather surface. Using one of the canvas cloths provided, rub the outer edges until smooth and shiny.
Your kit includes a Leathercraft Basics instructions guide. Please refer to the Burnishing the Edges section for further diagrams and stitching instructions.
-Top Tip-
Use a cotton bud for extra precision when wetting the edge so as not to damage the leather surface.
4 - Thread the Needle
A. Thread the eye of the needle with the first 60cm piece of thread.
B. Pull through 6-8cm of thread and then pierce the thread.
C. Pierce the thread again at 1cm distance along the long piece of thread.
D. Holding the needle tip, pull down the entire thread. This is called locking the needle.
E. Follow steps A-D with the other end of the thread and second needle.
Your kit includes a Leathercraft Basics instructions guide. Please refer to the Threading the Needle section for further diagrams and instructions.
5 - Fold and Clip
Did you know?
Leather craft requires skill with both hands. Using your non-dominant hand creates stronger connections between your brain’s hemispheres and increases brain function.
6 - Start Stitch
Pass one needle through the top hole and pull the thread through until you have an even amount on both sides.
7 - Saddle Stitch
A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your Key Holder and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.
B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.
C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.
D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitching. Repeat this for every stitch hole.
Your kit includes a Leathercraft Basics instructions guide. Please refer to the Simple Saddle Stitch section for further diagrams and instructions.
8 - Secure the Thread
Once you've reached the end you will need to secure your thread. To do this you can use back stitch. Change direction and stitching back 2 stitch, take your needle on the none logo side and bring it down 1 stitch to leave you with both needles on the same side.
Your kit includes a Leathercraft Basics instructions guide. Please refer to the Securing the Thread section for further diagrams and instructions.
9 - Cut and Tuck
Cut the thread as close to the hole as possible and tuck away any visible ends with the back side of your needle.
10 - Repeat on Other Side
Repeat steps 6-9 for other side
11 - Pull Cord Even
Take your leather cord and fold it into even lengths.
12 - Insert Cord
Insert tip of leather cord into the Key Holder piece.
13 - Attach Keyring
Put the tip of the leather cord into the keyring. Now take your folded end of the cord and bring that over the Key Holder Piece. Pull tight and adjust if needed.
14 - Tie Adjustable Knot
15 - Cut Cord
Cut off the excess cord
Ta-daa! Great job - you have now finished your personally crafted .Ar:ti|sans Key Holder. Never loose your keys again! What will you choose to do now with your Key Holder - gift it or maybe use it yourself?
We would love to see your creation in your home! Share it with us and our crafting community so we can celebrate your leathercraft dexterity. Tag us @artisans.life on Instagram (using the hashtag #artisanslife), drop us an email or leave us a review on our website to tell us what you enjoyed most about the making experience.
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