Leather is a super cool material; it’s trendy, stylish, durable and easy to work with. I’ve gathered this collection of 48 awesome leather craft ideas to inspire you.
Leather crafting is a fun and versatile hobby that allows you to create various functional and decorative items. Leather is a durable and flexible material that can be shaped, moulded, and tooled into numerous designs, making it ideal for crafting projects.
Many of these simple leather DIYs use the smallest scraps or repurposed leather, making them very affordable crafts.
10 Reasons For Crafting with Leather?
- Leather’s natural beauty makes it an attractive material for crafting, and it comes in various colours and textures.
- It makes hand-crafted gifts look expensive.
- Leather is a sturdy and long-lasting material. Handmade leather home decor items will last.
- Leather is a naturally stylish material.
- It’s versatile and can look sophisticated or Boho.
- Leather can be carved, painted, moulded and stamped.
- It doesn’t fray, so there is no need to hem it.
- The material can be glued or stitched.
- Leather is easy to cut.
- Small leather touches can enhance other crafts and DIYs.
Examples of how leather can enhance other crafts include adding handles to wooden chopping boards or upcycled cookie tins and pulls to mini drawers.
Leather looks good when used with wood crafts and denim upcycles.
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What Leather To Use and Where To Get It
It doesn’t matter whether you use faux leather or genuine leather. Many fake leather pieces are so good that it’s hard to tell the difference between them.
If you’re a vegan or more concerned about being environmentally friendly, it’s better to use faux leather. You can enhance your green credentials when using genuine leather by using upcycled and repurposed leather.
Upcycle and repurpose leather from clothing, such as jackets, bags, and belts, to even old leather sofas. Leather is one of those materials that can age well. It comes in different thicknesses and softness, so make sure you use the right leather for your crafts.
- Craft stores sell faux leather in a range of colours and sizes. Often this is very soft.
- Thrift stores (charity shops) are a good source for leather to repurpose and upcycle, both natural and faux.
- Check out dumpsters too! You can get a lot of material from a dumped old leather sofa.
- Many leather stores sell scraps at a reasonable price. Bags of real leather scraps can be bought from online stores. Often they are sold by weight.
48 Easy DIY Leather Craft Ideas
A fun list of easy to make leather crafts and DIYs. Use faux, real or upcycled leather to make any of these wonderful projects. Some only use the smallest of leather scraps and many would make lovely homemade gifts.
Upcycled Leather Boho DIY Vase
Scrap leather from an old sofa was used to create this Boho vase. The post includes a tutorial to make these gorgeous giant flowers.
Woven Leather Bench
Leather adds warmth and style to any room, so why not add a nice woven leather bench to your entryway to spruce up your space? It’s easy to make and comfortable.
Faux Fall Leaves On Gold Branches
A lovely decoration for the mantle with leather leaves. Also, a good way to use up those small scraps from other leather crafts.
How To Make Indoor Recycled Hanging Planters
Macrame like leather hanging planters. So easy to make, no sewing and no knots just some clever leather cutting. You will also find a denim version with these upcycled leather crafts.
DIY leather strap shelves
Hang your shelves in a stylish way with leather straps.
DIY leather plant pot holder
A perfect match of natural leather and plants, an easy step by step tutorial.
Gorgeous Painted Leather Pen Pot
Upcycle an old faux leather handbag into some colourful leather pen pots to add a unique look to your desk. These would also make a lovely handmade gift idea.
Leather and wood wall hooks
Repurpose leather belts with wood to make these stylish and unique coat hooks.
DIY Leather Gingerbread House Ornaments
These are very cute Scandinavian style Christmas decorations. They can be hung in garland, like with these cardboard gingerbread houses.
Easy Valentine Heart Key Chain
If you have any red leather scraps, use them to make this cute Valentine's keychain.
Upcycled Leather Bag With Paint and Print
Did you know you can transfer images onto leather as well as paint it? This fun upcycled leather bag is inspired by a Gucci handbag!
Leather Cord Organizers
All you need are the smallest scraps of leather to make this handy cord tidy.
Transform Glass Vessels with these DIY Leather Sleeves
Transform some plain glass bottle vases with the addition of a leather cuff.
Leather Tassel
Another fun thing to make from leather scraps is tassels, They are very easy to make too!
DIY Leather Woven Storage Basket
Leather comes in many colours, like with this handy yellow woven leather basket.
DIY Painted Leather Fringe Planter Pot
This is an easy way to upcycle a plastic paint pot into something boho and trendy for the home.
Geometric Leather Coasters
Hexagons are such a cool shape, they make interesting patterns and are perfect for coasters.
DIY Leather Succulents
I've made beautiful felt succulents before but I now want to try leather ones after seeing this tutorial.
DIY Leather and Wood Mail Organizer
Just a few tools and supplies to make this DIY Leather and Wood Mail Organizer. Perfect for hanging on the end of a counter or putting on your desk.
Leather DIY Clutch Purse
This clutch was made with scraps, it would look good with an avocado pit button.
How to Make Woven Leather Coasters
More coo leather coasters, these ones are made from an old skirt.
Leather Cocktail Stirrers DIY
How about some cute leather cocktail stirrers to complement the leather coasters.
Personalize Leather Luggage Tags
These handmade leather luggage tags are easy to make, and the best part is you can make them using your favourite travel or family photos, or even your kids' artwork.
Leather wall organizer DIY
Another fun wall organizer idea for the craft room or home office.
Upcycling A Leather Coat into a DIY Leather Bag
Upcycling an old thrift store men’s leather coat into a new DIY bag.
Create Luxury Handmade Gift Tags From Scraps
Add a bit of glamour to your gift tags by decorating them with the smallest of leather scraps.
Equestrian Leather Wrap Bracelet Tutorial
This leather wrap bracelet would make a fun gift for horse lovers.
Woven Leather Napkin Rings
Woven leather napkin rings will add a stylish touch to any holiday table settings.
DIY Leather Mouse Pad
Add a bit of class to your desk with a leather mouse pad.
Modern DIY Leather Chair Cushion
Learn how to make a leather seat pad, great for metal chairs and easy to keep clean.
Boho-Styled Leather Tillandsia Planter
Leather is a great material to use for Boho decor crafts, such as this leather planter for air plants.
Easy DIY Leather Tassel Keychain
Another leather tassel, this one is used as a keychain. I think they would also make great zip pulls on bags too.
DIY Leather Mason Jar Mugs
Turn a mason jar into a mug with one of these cute leather crafted holders.
Leather Cuff Bracelets
Learn how to upcycle, engrave and paint leather to create these unique cuff bracelets.
Make Your Own Key Chain With Leather
These personalized keychains are like a leather version of these denim key fobs, which also have a touch of leather.
Easy Men’s Halloween Costume: DIY Bat Bow Tie
For a bow tie with a difference, try this leather bat version. If you want a more traditional bow tie tutorial copy these denim bows but replace the jeans fabric with leather.
Simple DIY Leather iPad Sleeve
Combine this tutorial with some of the others that show you how to paint and emboss leather and you'll be able to make a wonderful handmade gift.
DIY Leather Bookmark
An easy upcycled homemade gift idea. This leather craft also shows you how to stain leather scraps.
Fabric Scraps and Leather Bookmark
These bookmarks are more colourful as they are combined with fabric scraps. A fun handmade gift idea to make with upcycled fabrics left over from other projects.
DIY Leather No Sew Travel Pouch
The tutorial uses vegan (faux) leather, but there is no reason you can't repurpose real leather to make this handy pouch.
Leather Catchall Tutorial
I need one of these on my bedside table to catch all my jewellery, hair ties and other bits and pieces at the end of the day. Can be made with faux or repurposed leather.
Patent Leather Painted Bracelets
Another good tutorial on how to paint leather.
Leather Tassel Earrings
More leather tassels these ones are made into colourful trendy earrings.
DIY Leather Pencil Case
This would also make a great make-up brush roll too. A great idea for repurposing leather pieces.
How to make a DIY leather bound notebook
What is more timeless and classic than a leather-bound journal?! Perfect for business, as a gift or even just as a scribble pad to keep at home.
DIY Copper Pipe & Leather Wine Rack
What a stylish combination, copper and leather? This wine rack would look great in any kitchen.
DIY Suede Flowers - Fashion Embellishment > Craftidly
These DIY suede flowers make a perfect embellishment to any fashion accessory.
Another excellent material to craft is clay; check out these adult air dry clay DIYs.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
Tuesday 14th of June 2022
I saw the post where you share this on FB last week and I am so excited about these idea. Years ago I "inherited" a large amount of leather from an upholstered bed makeover that I have been keeping in my craft room with no idea what to do with it all. I am looking forward to getting started on a few of these projects. Thanks for sharing and this post will be one of the features this week. #HomeMattersParty
Claire Armstrong
Tuesday 14th of June 2022
Thank you, I hope you find something you want to make from the list. Leather is really easy to craft with as you can glue it and mold it as well as stitch it.
Allyson @ Southern Sunflowers.com
Friday 10th of June 2022
So many great ideas and inspiration! I never thought about looking for leather in a thrift store, I'm sure they have a lots of faux. You've got my creative thoughts moving, now! Pinned. Thank you for sharing at "HomeMattersParty.
Claire Armstrong
Sunday 12th of June 2022
Thank you so much. Thrift stores are good for old leather bags and beltss tow use for projects.
susan
Wednesday 8th of June 2022
Genious!!!
Claire Armstrong
Wednesday 8th of June 2022
Thank you so much!