Our Cookie Policy

We use cookies to ensure the website functions properly and to remember your preferences. Cookies help us gather analytics and improve our website, as well as provide relevant marketing. We use cookies for: Essential website functions, Marketing, Enhanced user experience, Analytics and statistics.

By clicking "Accept all cookies," you consent to all uses. You can also manage your preferences by selecting the checkboxes below and clicking "Accept selected cookies." You can withdraw your consent at any time by clicking "Cookies" at the green icon left side.

Googles Privacy Policy

Make your own leather belt | Beginner's guide to DIY leather belt

$Make your own leather belt | Beginner\'s guide to DIY leather belt$

Design your own leather belt and get the belt you want - and that fits your size

Make your own leather belt with this DIY guide by Ulla Lindholm. Here we show you how to make your own handmade leather belt that fits around your waist. This way, you won't end up with a belt that has too much excess strap hanging down on one side or, even worse, a leather strap that is too short.

You will learn the basic techniques for making a unisex leather belt. You can choose to make the belt narrower for a more feminine look or wider for a more masculine design. So you can customize the guide to make the women's or men's belt you want to make. You just need to remember that the leather strap must be as wide as the buckle you have bought/reused. You are also welcome to further design the belt, for example by embossing the leather strap with patterns, dyeing the leather, or adding accessories such as tool storage in a bag. This way, you will have your completely unique belt that you have designed yourself - and it is even handmade by you!

Enjoy the craft...

Techniques and skills:

Design your own belt
Measuring the waist where the belt will sit
Can make a leather belt
Leatherwork

Materials you need to make a leather strap:

A leather strap approximately 3 cm wide. Calculate the length as: (Your waist measurement) + 20 cm (You can buy a leather strap or make a strap from a piece of leather) + Small piece of leather for the strap
A rivet
A buckle

Tools you need:

Hobby knife
Edge beveler
Grooving tool
Hole punch
Rubber mallet
Optional stamping tool for decoration
Optional leather cutter
Optional measuring tool or template for measuring

How to do it:

Step 1

Measure around the waist where the belt will sit. Add about 20 cm and you have the length of your belt/strap.

Cut the leather to the desired length, 3 cm wide.

Step 2

Cut one end of the belt to a point.

Use the provided template that you have printed. Additionally, you will need a scalpel to cut the belt to a point.

You can also use a leather tool called an end cutter to make pointed ends on belts. This is documented if you want to start making many leather belts, as it makes this step quick and uniform.

Step 3

Trim the edges of the strap with an edge beveler.

Step 4

Optionally, polish the edges with an edge polishing stick and polish. Here, rubber has been used, which can be applied with the finger.

Step 5

If the leather is thick where the buckle will sit, it may be a good idea to thin out the back a little.

This will also make it easier to set the rivets.

Step 6

Make a hole for the buckle with a grooving tool.

Step 7

Make holes through both layers.

Step 8

Make the hole for the rivet through both layers in the belt while the buckle is in place.

Set the rivets with a rubber mallet.

Step 9

Make the small belt loop in leather according to the template.

Make 8 stitch holes with an awl by poking it down into a cork piece.

Step 8 Stitch the small leather loop in place

Step 10

Stitch the small leather loop in place. Use two needles on a short thread and stitch a cross.

Tie the knot on the back.

Slide the loop onto the belt.

Step 11

Measure and mark where the holes in the belt should be.

Make a pair of holes with the same spacing using a hole punch.

Check that the hole fits with the buckle.

Step 12

The leather belt/strap is now finished and ready to use.

You can also choose to further decorate it with various embossing patterns or possibly dye the leather in a different color.

We wish you a lot of fun with your new crafting project.

The DIY guide has been designed by teacher Ulla Lindholm