BeadWise: How To Make a Leather Feather in 5 Easy Steps

Check out this new Interweave BeadWise video for an easy way to make a leather feather for a necklace, pair of earrings, key ring, or purse accent!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Scrap of leather (about 3×4”)
• Piece of paper to make a template
• Pen
• Sharp pair of scissors
• Hole-punch pliers (suitable for leather or metal)
• Jump ring
• 2 pairs of chain-nose or flat-nose pliers.

First, sketch out a feather shape onto your paper — mine is about 3” long but you can make it any size you want. Don’t worry about getting it the perfect shape; just draw a squinty-eye sort of oval, adding a stem shape to one end. Cut out the feather shape, then trace around it onto the leather. Make sure you use sharp scissors to cut the shape out of the leather. Then add fringe along one side by cutting slits anywhere from 1/8 to 1/4” long. On a few of the slits, cut mini triangle shapes to give it a more realistic feather look.

Flip the feather over and add fringe to the other side. Use the hole-punch tool to punch a hole near the end of the stem. Add a jump ring and you’ll be ready to add your lovely new feather to a keyring, chain, purse, shoes, or whatever you can dream up!

Cheers!

Debbie