Apron in leather

Step 1

Sketch out a square on your leather piece measuring 70 cm wide and 90 cm long using a leather marking pen.

Step 2

Download the template for the apron further down this page.

Overlap the two templates with each other to create a rounded shape.

Step 3

Outline the rounded shape onto the leather. Place the template at the top of each of the 70 cm long sides.

Step 4

Cut out the rounded shapes by using either a knife or a pair of scissors.

Step 5

Divide the 2.5 cm wide leather strap in four parts.

2 parts: 12 cm
1 part: 65 cm
1 part: 20 cm

Optionally, you could use the strap end punch to make nice and rounded ends on the straps. Repeat this step on all the ends of the four straps.

Step 6

On the two 12 cm long straps, you need to attach a buckle. To do this, you will need to make an oval hole in the middle of the strap measuring 16x3 mm. Make a marking in the middle of the strap – both lengthwise and widthwise. With the starting point being in the middle, measure out 8 mm towards both ends of the strap, and draw a line.  

Step 7

Make a hole in both ends of the line by using a leather punch tool in size 3. The leather between the two holes must be removed with a knife to create an oval-shaped hole.

Step 8

Step 8
(Markings for stitching)

Outline a 3 mm seam allowance with your wing divider. Start your outline where the oval-shaped hole ends and draw a line on the long side. Optionally, you can make two dots for guidance by using your wing divider.

Step 9

Make 10 markings on each side by using your Japanese chisel.

Step 10

Fold the strap on the middle.

Put the Japanese chisel through the holes you just made in step 9, to make parallel markings on the leather piece below.

Unfold the leather strap and punch the chisel through the holes, you've just made.

Step 11

Place the strap at the top part of the apron, as shown in this picture.

The 3 uppermost stitching holes will not be attached to the apron and must be placed above of the edge of the apron. The 7 stitching holes at the bottom part of the strap must be placed onto the apron.

Mark the holes on the apron by sticking the chisel through the holes of the strap.

Remove the strap from the apron.

Step 12

Install the buckle to the belt. Begin your saddle stich in the opposite end of, where your buckle is. Stitch back and forth to create a double stich.

You will need a thread measuring 32 cm.

Step 13

The strap measuring 20 cm

Cut two holes in each end by using a rotary punch tool – punch the first hole 1 cm from the edge and the second hole 2.5 cm from the egde.

The strap measuring 65 cm

Punch 7 holes in each end by using the rotary punch tool. Make the first hole 5 cm from the edge and the following 6 holes with 1 cm between each hole.

Tip: Adjust the setting on your wing divider to 12.5 cm to find the middle of the strap.

Step 14

(The two straps with a 1 cm width)

Cut them into a length of 70 cm.

Cut two holes in each end of the straps. The first hole 1 cm from the end and the second hole 2.5 cm from the same end.

Place the straps on each side of the apron and make two holes on the apron by using the holes on the straps as a guide.

Cut all the holes using the rotary punch tool in size 3.

Step 15

Attach the straps to the apron with rivets. Install them by using a rivet setter and an anvil.

Step 16

(The 20 cm long strap)

Place the 20 cm long strap on the apron at a slanted angle approximately 9 cm from the side and 47 cm from the bottom of the apron. Punch two holes in the apron by using a round punch with a 3 mm diameter. After this, fasten the leather strap with rivets.

Step 17

You have now finished making your leather apron! :)