Popular Leather Wrap Bracelets combine leather cord, nylon beading thread, glass beads, and Czech glass buttons. Stone and metal beads work, too, for a more organic look. The trend is just as active as ever, so this is a great skill to have in your creative tool kit, and super beginner-friendly! Learn how to make your own leather bracelets with our step-by-step instructions.

One (1) Bracelet

How to Make a Leather Wrap Bracelet Tutorial

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 1 hour

Additional Time: 6 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 16 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Popular leather wrap bracelets are fun to wear and easy to make.

This technique makes a clean finish without the loose cord ends you get with other techniques. It uses a button and loop closure instead of jump rings and end caps. Also, this wrap bracelet technique uses just one strand of leather so you aren't trying to juggle too many things when making the bracelet.

They are a great intro to jewelry making because of the simple steps and readily-available supplies.

Materials

Beads of Your Choice - enough to wrap around your wrist. I used 6mm Czech glass pearls
1 Decorative Shank Button - this is for your clasp
2mm Leather Cord - measure your wrist, add 5 inches, then double it [for a bracelet to fit my 7" wrist: (7+5)x2=24 inches]
3-4 yards plus 6 inches Nylon Beading Thread - to blend or contrast - your choice
Thread Conditioner such as Thread Heaven or Thread Magic - if using an unwaxed thread
GS Hypo Cement or similar jewelry glue

Tools

Size 12 Beading Needles
Utility Scissors - for leather cord
Thread Snips - for beading thread
Foam Macramé Board
2-3 Sturdy Pins
Bead Mat

Instructions

Gather materials. Cut leather cord according to instructions above.
Thread your needle with a double length of beading thread. Match the ends and secure with a knot. Treat thread with conditioner, if needed. Set aside.
Fold the leather cord in half, forming a loop. Adjust the size of the loop to fit your button clasp. Hold the loop together firmly with your thumb and forefinger.
Wrap 6 inches of beading thread around the cords to mark the size of the loop. Test the size of the button loop and adjust as needed.
Tie an overhand knot to form the button loop at your marked location. Snip the threads.
Test the fit one more time and make any needed adjustments. Pull the knot snug, but not tight - you don't want to break the leather! (Been there. Done that.)
Draw the threaded needle between of the leather cords. Place the needle between the threads at the knotted end, You can easily see my contrasting thead. You can use a thread color that matches the leather if you prefer.
Pull the needle between the threads, forming a slip knot around the leather cord. Keep this loose - you will adjust the position of the thread to match the size of your beads. Secure the leather loop to one end of the macramé board with pins, being careful to not pierce the leather. Perforations in the leather will weaken it.
Insert the loose ends of the leather cord into slots at the opposite end of the macramé board. (Here I have turned the board over to show the plain side so you can see the steps more clearly.)
Pick up one bead with the needle. Place it UNDER both leather cords. The position will depend on the size of the bead. Smaller beads will fit closer to the knot. Larger beads will need more space. When you have the position set, coax the thread along the cord so that it is right next to the bead and pull it snug.
Place the needle back through the bead, this time OVER the leather cord and pull it snug. Do one more pass under, then over, to hold this first bead in place.
Pick up the next bead and bring it UNDER the leather cords to rest between them. Pull the thread through the bead so the side of the bead shows between the two leather cords..
Bring the needle back through the bead OVER the cords. Pull snug.
Continue adding beads, passing under, then over, the leather cords.
You can see that the threads are straight on the left and diagonal on the right. This is natural as the thread moves from bead to bead. As long as each side is consistent, you're okay.
When you have added enough beads to make your bracelet, make another pass straight across and wrap the thread around one cord 2 or 3 times to bring it to the center placement of the button clasp. Set the button next to the bracelet to see how far to wrap.
Place the button between the cords with the shaft facing up. (This will be the underside of your bracelet.) Bring the needle over the cord, through the button shaft and under the other cord. Pull snug.
Continue with a "Figure 8" stitch - over, under; over, under; over, under until you get to the last bead. Secure the cords as close to the shaft as possible.
Pinch the loose ends of the leather cords together and wrap tightly, placing the wraps inside the diameter of the button. Tie off the thread with a couple of knots. Do not cut threads yet!.
Secure the knots with a few drops of GS Hypo Cement. Let the dab of glue dry according to package instructions.
When the glue is dry, trim threads close to (but not into) the knots with your pair of scissors. Trim leather cord close to the thread wraps, taking care to not cut the threads.
From the right side, the button hides the leather cords ends for a clean finish.
Here is the finished leather wrap bracelet.
The button clasp fits perfectly.
This is how the leather wrap bracelet looks on my wrist.
If you choose a pretty button, you can wear that side out, if you like. Starting the bracelet with a clean loop end means that you don't have extra leather showing at the clasp.

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If you like to play with color, making beaded bracelets is a nice small project for experimentation. If you don’t like the final look, you can re-use the button and beads in another project. The supplies are all relatively inexpensive, depending on the beads and buttons you select.

I like to get my colors set first, auditioning buttons, beads, leather, and thread until I like the combination. Shank buttons work best with this method. There are other methods that are compatible with other button styles. The buttons can be any size because you make the loop to fit your choice of button. The thread will show, so decide if you want it to blend in or make a color statement of its own.

(For an alternate technique that begins with the button rather than the loop, here’s a great tutorial from the Spruce. This version has two loops for adjusting size, great when you’re not sure of the wearer’s wrist size. With this method, you will have exposed ends of cord. Whether you start with the button or the loop, the process photos here are well worth a look for either method!)

If you feel ambitious, you can make a super-long bracelet for a double wrap bracelet – or make it longer to wrap more times around your wrist if you are up to trying a tripe wrap bracelet!