How To Make Leather Bracelets With Cricut

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE LEATHER BRACELETS DESIGN FILE

First, download my How to Make Leather Bracelets designs from my free library -- look for design number 571. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.

The SVG has 7 designs. A filigree design without tabbed ends, a similar design with tabs, a heart chain, cute bubbles, flowers with or without vinyl accents, and a cuff. I’ll demonstrate the hearts and cuff designs.

STEP 2: MEASURE YOUR WRIST

1. Use a soft measuring tape to measure around your wrist.

2. Make it as tight or as loose as you want the bracelet to be.

3. Add 1” to account for the section on each end used by the snaps. Add another 1/4” if you want it looser fitting.

STEP 3: PREPARE AND CUT YOUR BRACELET DESIGN

1. Open Cricut Design Space and click “New Project.”

2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”

3. Click “Browse.”

4. Select the design SVG file.

5. On the Prepare to Upload screen, it will say “Cut image” with the design preview.

6. Click “Upload.”

7. Find your design in Recent Uploads and add it to the Canvas.

8. With the collection selected, click “Ungroup.”

9. Delete everything other than the design(s) you want to make.

10. Some designs have an additional layer for optional iron-on vinyl. Delete those layers if you don’t want to use them.
11. One by one and with the lock icon closed, change the design’s height to match your wrist measurement.

NOTE: Remember to add the extra length to account for the snaps and how loose you want it to fit.

12. If you want to cut any pieces on the same material, use the color box to make their colors match.

13. Make sure the correct machine is selected and click “Make.”

14. On the Prepare screen mat for the leather, check the dimensions to determine what size your piece of leather needs to be.

15. Turn “Mirror” on for your leather mat because they cut better from the back.

NOTE: If you're using glitter leather, leave “Mirror” switched OFF and put your leather on the mat with the glitter side up.

16. Use scissors or a trimmer to cut your leather a little taller and wider than the dimensions you need.

17. Since the leather is thicker than most materials, we won't place the material right in the corner.

18. If there is enough space, place the leather with its top left corner 2" in from the left and down from the top on a purple StrongGrip machine mat.

19. Make sure the leather lines up with the straight lines.

20. If your mat isn’t very sticky, use painter's tape to secure all four sides of the faux leather.

21. Back on the Prepare screen, move the design(s) to match the placement of the leather on your mat.

TIP: If you’re cutting more than one design on a mat, make sure the dimensions still match.

22. Turn on “Mirror” for the iron-on vinyl mat.

TIP: If you’re cutting more than one design, space them out a little so you can trim them apart later.

23. Select the first leather mat and click "Continue."

24. On the Make screen, select "Browse All Materials."

25. Type "leather" in the search bar and select “Faux Leather (Paper Thin)” and click "Done." Change the cutting pressure to "More."

26. Your machine will indicate that you use the Fine-Point Blade.

NOTE: This worked in my testing, but if you have trouble, try using the Deep-Cut Blade.

27. Move the white star wheels all the way to the right so they don’t mar the leather.

28. Load your mat into the machine and then press the “Go” button.

29. When the cuts finish, don’t unload the mat right away. Carefully peel up a section of material to make sure the cuts went all the way through the faux leather. If not, press the “Go” button to run the cuts again in the same locations.

30. After your bracelets are cut, unload the mat.

31. Remove the tape (if you used it) from all four sides of the material, then turn the mat over and carefully bend the mat slightly to remove the faux leather pieces.

32. If you’re adding the iron-on vinyl details, place the vinyl shiny side down on a green StandardGrip machine mat.

33. In Design Space, use the “Everyday Iron-on” or “Glitter Iron-on” setting (depending on your vinyl) and set the Pressure to “More.”

34. Load, cut, and unload the vinyl mats.

35. Flip over the mat and roll it back to release the vinyl.

36. Trim away excess vinyl, then cut the designs apart if you have more than one.

37. Weed the excess vinyl from your designs.

TIP: Place the vinyl carrier sheet side down on the machine mat to hold it steady.

STEP 4: ASSEMBLE YOUR LEATHER BRACELETS

OPTIONAL: ADD IRON-ON VINYL TO YOUR LEATHER
Check our HTV Cookbook to find the correct settings for your combination.

1. Preheat your heat press to 280° F (138° C) if you’re using Everyday Iron-On Vinyl, or 270° F (132° C) for Glitter Iron-On Vinyl.

2. Put the cut leather face up on the pressing mat.

3. Place butcher paper on top.

4. Preheat the leather for 5 seconds without pressure.

5. Place the matching HTV face down, aligning the designs.

6. Cover the project with butcher paper to protect the leather from direct heat.

7. Press with firm pressure for 30 seconds for Everyday Iron-On Vinyl and 20 seconds for Glitter Iron-On Vinyl.

8. Allow the project and carrier sheet to cool for both types of vinyl.

9. Remove the vinyl carrier sheet.

BRACELET ASSEMNLY

Here are the tools that we'll be using to insert the snaps.

NOTE: It’s a good idea to practice adding closures on scrap leather before working on your finished bracelets.

1. Place your bracelet and tools on a self-healing mat to protect the work surface. We’re using the three smallest tools in the kit.

• Punch tool: has a small bladed opening on one end.
• Pointed tool: a narrow rod at the end of the tool to press recessed pieces in place.
• Concave tool: slightly cupped end to fit over pieces to keep them positioned during pressing.

2. If your set has different sizes, find a cap that fits on the bracelet’s tab.

3. Find the cap’s matching socket, stud, and post.

4. Pick the leather tab you want to have on the outside when wearing the bracelet.

5. Place the leather tab face up on the flat anvil with the self-healing mat underneath.

6. Position the punch tool in the middle of the tab with the open end down. (Be careful, the edge is sharp!) Hold it straight up and down.

7. Use a mallet or hammer to tap the tool a few times to make an indent but not cut.

8. Remove the tool to check the location, then adjust if needed.

9. Replace the tool in the intended spot, then hit the top straight down to make the cut.

10. When you think the tool is through the leather, push it down and twist to help cut any remaining threads.

11. Remove the tool to check your progress. If a few threads are holding the cut leather in, use your scissors to carefully snip them and push the punched leather out.

12. Put the cap through the leather so the post is visible on the back side.

13. Hold the cap in place and flip the bracelet so the cap is centered on the anvil.

14. Place the socket on the post, with the finished side facing out.

15. Make sure the socket is centered, then place the pointed tool in the middle.

16. Tap the end of the tool straight down until the socket and cap are secure on the leather. If there’s any wiggle, place it cap side down on the self-healing mat and tap it a few times to secure the pieces better.

17. Try the bracelet on to see where you want the clasp’s other side to be, and make a small mark on the leather.

18. Follow Steps 5-11 to punch a hole in the second tab the same way.

19. Push the post through the leather from the back.

20. Place the tab and finding on the anvil with the post facing up.

21. Put the stud on the post, making sure it’s a good fit and centered.

22. Place the concave tool over the stud, making sure it’s straight up and down.

23. Hit the back of the tool straight down until the post compresses in the stud.

24. Make sure the clasp is secure on both sides of the leather.

25. Test out the clasp!

VARIATIONS

For a design without a tab, select the correct cap and place it near the edge. Make sure it’s centered and a little leather shows beyond it.

Press the post straight down to make an indent and punch the hole in the same spot.

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF

And there are your bracelets!