This DIY Leather Cuff can be easily recreated at home with your Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker! It cuts leather like butter and the final product makes a great gift!
Are y’all ready for Christmas? I can’t believe it’s so soon! I thought that I was completely on track, but last week, something happened that really threw us all off course. My daughter broke her elbow! It’s been a crazy week, and not a whole lot was accomplished between the ER visit, x-rays, doctors visits, and helping a 10 year old adjust to life with one hand.
Finally, at the end of last week I had a chance to get my Cricut Secret Santa gift in the mail, and now, one week after the break, I have a chance to post about it!
My secret santa partner was Brooke at Brooklyn Berry Designs. Thankfully all of the wait time at the doctors and hospitals gave me the chance to thoroughly investigate her blog and Pinterest boards so I could think of a perfect project. My final idea was inspired by this pin that I found on one of her Pinterest boards – and thought it was so doable since even the Cricut Explore cuts leather… and since I hadn’t had the opportunity to cut leather yet, it was the perfect time.
DIY Leather Cuff: The Supplies
You don’t need a lot of supplies for this project. All you’ll really need to create your own DIY leather cuff is:
- small piece of leather (I found mine at Michaels)
- a bracelet chain or cording
- round nose jewelry pliers (or regular old needle nose pliers work too!)
- deep cut blade for your Cricut Explore
- small jump hoops (2) (optional)
To create the design, I chose an image from the design space by searching for “lace”. I played around with the size, and cut it on paper to make sure it was properly sized before cutting the more expensive leather. After I had the size perfect, I hit cut. My stomach may have done a few flip flops while waiting!
I have to be completely honest here. I was floored when I pulled out the mat. The design, which was a little intricate, was cut perfectly in every single spot. I didn’t have to touch up a single cut. (The only thing I would do differently next time is place the smooth side of the leather down on the mat so that the fabric fibres don’t stick to the mat when the leather is removed!)
DIY Leather Cuff – Assembling the Bracelet
Once the design is cut, all that’s left to do is size your chain or cord for the bracelet. I used six links on each side of the design, and attached the chain to the leather with small jump hoops. You could attach the links right to the leather, but my links were really stiff and I didn’t want to tear the leather trying to wiggle it on. The jump hoops were much more flexible.
Once it was all done, I rushed to the post office and stuck it in the mail. I’m crossing my fingers that it reaches Brooke in time for Christmas! I really hope she likes it! I received her gift the day before I stuck mine in the mail. It was amazing, I’ll share more about it next week!
Have you tried cutting leather on your Cricut Explore yet? I think I’m addicted now! I’m also in love with the gorgeous new iron on colors that they released this month – thankfully they are all on sale for 10$ or less this week! Leave me a note and let me know what your Explore’s been up to, and follow me on instagram where you can see mine, busy at work for Christmas!
Jessica Brassington says
So cute! I love this idea. I have three girls and we’re always looking for new craft ideas and difficult levels. Thank you.
Sarah says
Glad you like it!
Jefferie Lay says
Do you remember what lace design you used? I have been looking in design space for something similar but am coming up empty handed.
Thanks so much this is awesome!!
Sarah says
Hi! I can’t remember the search term I used, but you can find the design here – https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/34419632
I think you’ll just be prompted to purchase the design when you go to cut it, if you don’t already own it. Hope that helps!
Amy says
Thank you!!!
Ashley says
So very excited to use my new Rose Gold Leather Santa left because of this post! Thanks Ladies!
Happy New Year – one filled with all of your projects being better than you’d imagined! Xo!
Patty says
I fell in love with this bracelet as soon as I saw it. I think I’ll make one for myself for practice and then for a few friends who I know will love it too. Thanks for the tutorial!
Kiley says
Thank you so much! I just made this seconds ago. The first time I did the cut, I didn’t press the leather down hard enough and it got bunched up and the Cricut stopped and failed. The second time it worked, only like 5 of the holes I needed to press out.
Sarah says
Thats awesome! Did you use the deep cut blade?
Kiley says
Yes, and it was a new mat too!
Sarah says
That is so weird! I’m glad it worked for you after though. I just saw the new faux leather material Cricut released, I cant wait to try some out!
Michele says
This is perfection. Tip for preventing fibers left on Mat: place transfer tape on first, front side down then peel off ado the sticky is facing top then lay leather or fibrous material on the transfer- viola! No mat mess 🙂
Sarah says
That is such a great idea! I never would have thought of this!
Jenn says
I have a cricut but do not believe that it is the Explore. Do you know if the regular cricut would cut leather using a design from a cartridge?? Love this project but can’t go buying a new cricut just make these (hubby would not be happy)! Thanks.
Sarah says
Hi Jenn – I’m sorry, but only the Explore cuts leather. Watch out and you might a great deal over the holidays!
Chelsea says
would you mind sharing the settings and pressure you used. I plan on making this today
Sarah says
Hi! I’m sorry but I just used the settings on my Explore – the one for thick leather! Hope that helps.
Mommyof5 says
Can the blade that the machine came with be used to cut it or does this project require a different blade? Sorry, just got my machine for Christmas so I’m a newbie 🙂
Sarah says
You will have better luck with the deep cut blade, but I did use my regular blade and just set my machine to do a triple cut. Hope that helps!
Debbie says
I worked on cutting leather this weekend . Ihad difficulty with the designs that had open areas like this one. Had better results with solid designs. I tried deep cut blade and regular blade on different settings, put transfer tape down first to keep mess off the mat. I think taping it down also helps because some of mine got bunched up and machine stopped its definetly a learning curve to this but im determined .
Sarah says
Keep trying! It is so weird because mine cut perfectly the first time, but maybe it is the leather I was using? I used a new mat, and stuck the “fabricy” side of the leather onto the mat, not the smooth leather side. Hope that helps!
SueAnn Williams says
I’ve tried cutting several different types of leather on my Cricket. Two things I’ve learned through trial and error:
Apply the sticky side of contact paper to the rough side of the leather and then attach the smooth contact paper side to the cutting mat. This will prevent garment leathers from stretching. Mostly this will save your mat and leather.
Use a few peices of painters tape along the corners and edges of the leather after you apply it to the mat. Really smooth out the tape so it doesn’t mess up feeding the mat. I’m a leather crafter first and love using the Cricket for cut outs and overlays. Hopefully this helps a few of you make some Awesomeness!
Sarah says
Those are great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Wendy says
I can NOT WAIT to try this, but I think I will do it with heavier vinyl. But this is such a super cute idea! Love it!
Sarah says
Thanks! Glad you liked it!
Angelica Pangbourne says
Anybody that can share the name of the file, please. I want to try this lovely project.
Sarah says
Try searching lace in the Image Library – I believe thats what I searched for!
Revonda says
Do you have any idea what type/kind of leather is best? I want thick leather, but have no idea what to order…
Thank you so very much for sharing!! This is absolutely beautiful!!!!
Revonda
Fay competio says
I can’t find this cut. Does anyone have it or the svg version of it
Lauren says
I found it after searching for a bit. It’s Border #m83c7013 paper lace 2
Becca says
I have the new Cricut maker, and doing a search for “lace,” unfortunately doesn’t bring anything like yours. Do you have it possibly in one of your cartridges? Just love the look of this particular lace used for the bracelet. TIA
Gretchen Lucas says
Do you have this in a avg as I can’t find the cut file
Rebecca Hatfield says
How do I keep my leather from bunching up? I tried to cut some intricate earrings and could never get it done. I have pressed very hard on the leather as well.
Sarah says
I use a strong grip mat and tape it on if needed.
Shelby says
I can’t find this any help?
Michele D Van Buren says
I loved the cuffed bracelet. I am just getting brave to try leather on my explore 2. The Cricut leather I bought is super thin, What leather did you use? Where is a good place to get leather?
thanks,
Michele
Sarah says
I purchased mine at Michaels 🙂