Minimal Leather Apple Watch Strap - Skillshare Course

Let’s go step by step together to make this minimal leather Apple Watch Strap. Use the link below to start my course on Skillshare and scroll down for all the tools, materials, and resources for this project.

Course Description

In this Skillshare course, I’ll take you step by step through my leatherworking process to make a minimal leather Apple Watch strap from scratch. To ensure that you get the most out of the course, I’ll go over each tool that we’ll be using and show you exactly how I would use them to create this beautiful product!

Tools and Materials

These are all the tools and materials that I reference in the Skillshare course. These are referral links, which means if you use them, I’ll earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This is how I keep my craft hobby going! Thank you in advance for your support.

Leather Supply Companies:

District Leather (I purchase the canvas cloth for burnishing the edge from here under their “supplies” tab), Acadia Leather, Weaver Leather. You’ll need leather in 4.5-5oz thickness.

Minimal Leather Apple Watch Strap Template:

The watch strap template I use in this course was custom designed and created. There are lots of watch strap templates available online. I recommend searching for one with the style that you like. Here is one as an example on Etsy.

 

X-Acto Precision Knife

I use the scalpel from this set and trace along the curves of the leather valet tray to cut it out. This knife is extremely sharp, so be careful when using it.

Apple Band Kit

Here are the Apple Watch band connectors and watch clasp. Find the size that fits the Apple Watch that you’re making these minimal watch straps to be installed on.

Metal Ruler

I use a metal ruler with a cork backing as a straight edge. This is helpful when you trace your template with the scratch awl and cut the leather without the template.

Tandy 4 in 1 Punch

I use this round punch to create the adjustment holes that the latch on the watch clasp goes through.

 

Scratch Awl

I use this scratch awl to trace the template of the valet tray onto the leather’s surface.

 
 

Leather Edge Beveling Kit

I use the number 2 edge beveler for this project to chamfer the edges of the leather in the finishing process.

Leather Punching Iron

This is a beginner set of punching irons that are used to create the holes for saddle stitching. These are diamond shaped. The ones that I use are round holes and are a bigger investment.

Nylon Mallet

I use a nylon mallet for tooling my leather projects. The nylon head protects the tools from damage on impact. If the nut at the end loosens, I apply some threadlock and tighten them all the way.

 

Wood Burnishing Tool

I use this wood burnishing tool with Tokonole burnishing agent to give the edges of the valet tray a beautiful finish with a sheen.

Tokonole

I use this specific burnishing agent to finish the edges of every leather project that I make. It’s very simple to use and has a beautiful sheen.

36x48 Cutting Mat

I use a large cutting mat to cut down all of my leather projects. It’s very helpful when working with large sides of leather.

.035 Waxed Thread

I personally use Maine Thread Company’s waxed threads because they’re made at a very high quality. They come in various colors.

 

Leather Stitching Needle

I use these stitching needles from Tandy Leather for saddle stitching all of my leather projects.

150 Grit Sand Paper

I use this sand paper to start smoothing the edges of my leather projects. I use a finer grit sand paper to continue smoothing down the edges.

220 Grit Sand Paper

I use this sand paper to smooth the edges of my leather projects before I begin the burnishing process.

Poundo Board

This is a standard beginner board for placing your leather and using leather tools with a mallet. It protects the tips of your tools.

 

Tooling Slab

I use a hard slab of granite as a base layer under my poundo board to tool my projects. It creates a rigid and stable surface for hitting your tools with a mallet. You can pick one up from a local stone shop.

Water Based Glue

I use a water based glue like this one because it has no off-gassing smells and does a great job holding my leather pieces together.