Learn how to make a magic leather braid bracelet – one of those jewelry crafts that you won’t be able to get enough of! This post contains affiliate links.

before and after of the magic leather braid

A few weeks ago, I shared some leather napkin rings, and before that, DIY leather bookmarks. Today, I have another incredibly cool (and easy) leather craft to share with you. And it’s one that you’ll love so much, you’ll want to share it with all your friends.

Table of Contents:

Two ways to follow this magic braid leather bracelet tutorial
Finishing off your bracelets
What you need to make braided leather bracelet cuffs
How to make a magic braid leather bracelet
Cricut cutting instructions
Hand Cutting Instructions
How to make the bracelet

I have so many things to make with leather scraps on my to do list, but I knew I had to push to get these magic braid leather bracelets done!

Have you ever seen braided leather bracelets where the ends are a solid piece of leather and thought “how on earth??” The technique for creating these is so simple, prepare to have your mind blown.

All you need to do is start braiding, and every few overlaps weave the end through one of the holes to flatten it (exact instructions, including a printable “recipe card” below).

Two ways to follow this magic braid leather bracelet tutorial

I created two variations of magic braided leather bracelets in a beautiful hunter green and a sophisticated muted navy blue. Both of these were made using leather remnants from scrap packs I’ve purchased in the past from Blick and Michaels.

The blue one was made using a tighter braid. It was braided six times.

The green one was braided three times. This means that I did two overlaps before weaving the end through.

I cut this on my Cricut Maker, however you don’t need to. If you want to, you can simply recreate my project here (make sure to follow me once you’re at it!) If you don’t want to, simply make sure to cut very even, consistent sections on your bracelet base.

Finishing off your bracelets

I finished my bracelets off using ribbon crimps. For this reason, the leather need to be sized to the width of the crimps. I was slightly off in my measurements, so I rounded the ends with a pair of scissors.

You absolutely can go fancy with your ribbon crimps to add some style! I only picked up fancy crimps after I recorded this magic braid leather bracelet tutorial – that’s my plan for the next color I try.

And I did go fancy on the green bracelet, by adding a gorgeous bronze toggle clasp. The blue one features a classic lobster claw clasp with jump rings.

What you need to make braided leather bracelet cuffs

Leather scraps at least 1.5×8 inches (room for error if cutting with a Cricut) or 3/4 inch by 7 inches (hand cut)
Two one-inch ribbon crimps
Clasp
Chain nose pliers
To cut it, either a ruler and craft knife, Cricut Maker with knife blade, or Cricut Explore or Maker with the deep point blade.
Cricut accessories: brayer, StrongGrip mat, masking tape

How to make a magic braid leather bracelet

Cricut cutting instructions

1. Get my project in Design Space here. Make it or customize if you need to resize. Choose the correct leather weight and insert the correct blade.

2. Tape it down well around all the edges and adhere it well with the brayer. I like to put my leather upside down to preserve my mat. You can also back it with StrongGrip transfer tape. No need to mirror it if it’s upside down, as the cut is symmetrical.

3. Cut it!

Hand Cutting Instructions

If hand cutting and measuring, you may do better making it 3/4 of an inch. Measure 3/4 of an inch by roughly 7 inches and cut it out, using a steel ruler and knife to help you get a straight edge. You may want to simply score it with the ruler and continue cutting with scissors.

Cut two slits, leaving about 1/2 inch give or take at the ends. Make sure each section you create is precise so your braid comes out right.

How to make the bracelet

1. Attach a crimp to one end of the leather.

2. Start braiding. Place the right strip over the middle.

3. Then the left over the new middle.

4. Thread the end through the gap and straighten it. It’ll be twisted but that’s fine – you’re undoing that in the next round.

5. Go right over middle and left over middle.

Straighten it out

Keep repeating this process. As you go along, you’re making your braid a bit tighter than you want it to be so that you can thread through at the end. It should be pretty clear where you need to thread as you work. Do 3 rounds.

6. When you’re happy with the bracelet, loosen your braid and spread it out evenly across the bracelet.

7. Attach your second ribbon crimp to the end, as well as one side of your clasp. If you prefer, you can use snaps at the ends.

8. Attach the other clasp to your starter crimp.

To make the longer braid that looks more like a few interconnected strands, simply braid two and thread through fewer times.

You’ve successfully learned how to make a magic leather braid bracelet – and I hope you enjoyed!

If the tutorial didn’t feel obvious to you, don’t worry! This is one of those projects that almost teaches itself once you “get” the idea – you’ll see that it’s clear where you need to thread the end. And you can play around a little with different variations on this method.

How to braid exactly depends so much on the width of your bracelet, each portion, the length. Play around with braid 3 and braid 2 versions. You don’t damage the materials as you play!

Magic Leather Braid Bracelet Tutorial

Learn how to make a magic leather braid bracelet - one of those jewelry crafts that you won't be able to get enough of!

Materials

Tools