DIY leather watch strap

Give a new look and style to watches bought onwww.best-time.biz , can be quite simple and affordable way - change the strap! At the same time, you can make it yourself - the undoubted advantage of such an “update” is not only the ability to make just such a bracelet as you want, but also to give life to old things made of genuine leather (a bag or belt will do).

Before starting work, you need to decide on the "functionality" of the strap - it can be removable (in this case, you can make several different bracelets and change them if necessary) and fixed.

• The removable strap is a continuous bracelet that is pulled from the back of the watch case through the "lugs".
• The non-removable strap consists of 2 parts, each of which is sewn to the "lugs" located on the back of the watch case.

For manufacturing you will need:

• watch with old strap
• leather cut
• marker or pencil
• strong thread (such as waxed thread)
• thick sewing needle
• awl / punch (for making holes on the strap)
• ruler (preferably metal, as it measures more accurately when cutting)
• scissors

Manufacturing process:

1. Remove the old strap, level it on a flat surface of a leather cut. Make a pattern (circle the old bracelet along the contour, and do not forget to mark the places of the holes for the fastener with an awl or a punch).

2. Now cut out the sketch obtained from the template. It must exactly match the original, so that you do not have to shorten the finished strap. At the same time, it is worth remembering that if the bracelet is non-removable, you should add 2 cm in length on each side (4 cm in total), for a removable one, 2 cm will be enough.

3. Take an awl or a punch and make holes in the pre-designated holes for the fastener. This stage can be called one of the most difficult, as it requires the greatest concentration and accuracy. No need to make tears, they will look ugly. A few strokes are enough, then remove the skin scraps, then move on to the next hole.

4. Next, proceed to attach the accessories - you can remove it from the old bracelet, or purchase a new one. Fastenings are made by pulling the skin through the "ears" and sewing. At the same time, you can focus on this stage - by choosing unusual stitches (for example, a satin stitch or just a thread folded several times with large steps), you can give the bracelet brutality, and vice versa - lightness. To facilitate the sewing process, it is recommended to make small punctures at the bonding points.

5. Having fixed the fittings, you can begin to connect the bracelet and the watch case. As already mentioned, in the case of a removable strap, you just need to pass it through the mounts, and for a non-removable strap, sew it on. At the same time, it is also worth making preliminary punctures in the places of stitching with a thread.

It is not always possible to buy a watch strap in a store that would not only look like a great complementary accessory, but also emphasize your style. Therefore, we advise you to make a watch strap with your own hands, taking a ready-made solution as a sample, for example, a strap you like from a well-known manufacturer, or make an individual sketch yourself.

Prepared by Maryana Chornovil