Create Adorable Leather Keychain - Inspired by Etsy

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Story Behind the Leather Upcycle
3. The Inspiration from a Leather Shop in Manchester
4. Purchasing 10 Kilograms of Leather Off-cuts
5. The Struggle of Fitting the Leather into Luggage
6. The Three-Year Wait to Use the Leather
7. Creating Cute Keychains from the Leather
8. Steps to Create the Leather Keychains
   1. Drawing and Cutting the Animal Shape
   2. Copying the Image onto Leather Fabric
   3. Cutting and Folding the Leather Pieces
   4. Sewing the Circles onto the Dinosaur Shape
   5. Stitching the Overall Object
   6. Adding Eyelets for the Keychain Connection
9. Tips for Sewing with Leather
10. Customizing and Personalizing the Keychains
11. Conclusion

The Leather Upcycle: Turning Offcuts into Cute Keychains

Have you ever been so inspired by a product that you just had to have it, regardless of practicality? That's exactly what happened to me during my second trip to Europe. While exploring a market in Manchester, I stumbled upon a leather shop that showcased an array of stunning leather creations, from diaries to bags. The burst of inspiration I felt led me to impulsively purchase 10 kilograms of leather offcuts. Little did I know that these offcuts would sit untouched in my studio for the next three years, waiting to be transformed into something new.

The Story Behind the Leather Upcycle

Let me take you back to that day in Manchester. I was surrounded by the smell of leather and the sight of countless colorful offcuts. It was like stumbling upon a treasure trove of artistic possibilities. Overwhelmed with excitement, I couldn't resist buying an excessive amount of leather. Looking back, it's hard to believe I carried all that leather back home to Melbourne, struggling to fit it into my luggage. But I was determined to make use of it one day.

The Inspiration from a Leather Shop in Manchester

Walking into that leather shop was like stepping into a world of creativity. The store was filled with leather diaries, bags, patches, and other unique creations that I had only ever seen while traveling through Asia and Europe. I was captivated by the craftsmanship and wondered how people brought these cool creations to life. The experience left me with a burst of inspiration and a newfound love for leather.

Purchasing 10 Kilograms of Leather Off-cuts

In my enthusiasm, I made the impulsive decision to purchase a whopping 10 kilograms of leather offcuts. Looking back, it may have been excessive, especially considering I could have easily bought leather back home in Melbourne. But at the time, I was intoxicated by the possibilities and couldn't resist the opportunity to bring home a piece of that creativity.

The Struggle of Fitting the Leather into Luggage

After the purchase, reality set in, and I had to figure out how to fit all that leather into my already packed luggage. It turned into a comical struggle as my sister and best friend helped me cram the bulky offcuts into my suitcase. It took some creative arranging, but we managed to make it all fit. Little did I know, it would be three years before I found the time and inspiration to use the leather.

The Three-Year Wait to Use the Leather

Life got busy, and the leather ended up collecting dust in my studio. But every time I glanced at it, a tingling sense of potential resurfaced. Finally, after three long years, I decided it was time to breathe new life into those forgotten offcuts.

Creating Cute Keychains from the Leather

With a newfound determination, I set out to create something special out of the leather that had been stashed away for so long. The idea of making cute keychains using the colorful offcuts seemed like the perfect way to showcase the beauty of the leather and give it a purpose.

Steps to Create the Leather Keychains

Creating the leather keychains turned out to be a fun and creative process. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own adorable keychains from leather offcuts:

1. Drawing and Cutting the Animal Shape: Start by drawing a rough sketch of the animal shape you want for your keychain. It could be anything from a dinosaur to a cat. Once you're satisfied with the design, cut around the shape to create a template.

2. Copying the Image onto Leather Fabric: Trace the animal shape onto a piece of leather fabric using the template. For a symmetrical keychain, fold the leather in half before tracing the shape. Cut around the traced shape to create two identical pieces.

3. Cutting and Folding the Leather Pieces: Take another piece of leather in a different color and use a two-dollar Australian coin to draw circles. Repeat this process five more times to create decorative stitching pieces for the keychain. Next, trace the dinosaur shape again, including a back part that needs to be cut into a new shape. Fold the leather in half, cut around the shape, and create two identical pieces.

4. Sewing the Circles onto the Dinosaur Shape: Sew each individual circle onto the dinosaur shape using a needle and thread. Each dinosaur shape should have three circles sewn onto it. Perfect stitching may be challenging due to the small size of the pieces, but do your best to secure them in place.

5. Stitching the Overall Object: Once the circles are sewn on, stitch the two dinosaur shapes together, ensuring all edges are fully closed. This will give your keychain a sturdy form.

6. Adding Eyelets for the Keychain Connection: To attach a keychain, draw markings where you want the eyelets to sit. Use clippers to cut circular holes for the eyelets to fit into. Once the holes are made, place the eyelets and hammer them into place.

With these simple steps, you can create your own unique leather keychains using the offcuts that were once forgotten. Let your creativity run wild and experiment with different animal shapes, colors, and decorative elements to make these keychains truly your own.

Tips for Sewing with Leather

To ensure successful sewing projects with leather, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Use double-sided sticky tape to secure layers of leather together while sewing. This prevents them from shifting and ensures cleaner stitching.
• Consider using wadding or cotton ball stuffing to give your keychains a cushiony feel. This can add a touch of luxury and make them even more appealing.
• Feel free to customize and personalize your keychains with additional embellishments, such as beads, sequins, or embroidery. Make them reflect your personal style and preferences.

Conclusion

The journey from impulsively purchasing 10 kilograms of leather offcuts to transforming them into cute keychains has been a long and satisfying one. It's a reminder that inspiration can come from unexpected places, and sometimes the best ideas are the ones patiently waiting to be brought to life. So, grab those forgotten materials and let your creativity flow. Turn them into something beautiful and functional, just like these leather keychains. Get started and have fun exploring the endless possibilities that await!

Highlights

• Transforming forgotten leather offcuts into cute and functional keychains
• The story behind the impulse purchase of 10 kilograms of leather in Manchester
• The struggle of fitting the bulky leather into luggage during a trip
• The three-year wait to finally use the collected offcuts
• Step-by-step guide to creating unique and personalized leather keychains
• Tips for successful sewing with leather, including the use of double-sided sticky tape and additional stuffing
• Tailoring the keychains to fit personal style and preferences
• Embracing creativity and turning unused materials into something beautiful and purposeful