How to saddle stitch a leather key fob

Learn a durable two-needle stitch on a small strap project.

What you need

Vegetable-tanned leather, awl, waxed thread, key ring. Keep a ruler, scissors, and scrap material nearby. Use all equipment according to its manufacturer instructions.

Make it step by step

1. Cut and round a 1 x 6 in leather strip. Fold it around a key ring and align the ends.
2. Mark five evenly spaced stitching holes 1/4 in from the edge and pierce through both layers on a cutting board.
3. Thread one needle at each end of a 24 in waxed thread. Pass the first needle through a hole, then the second through the same hole from the other side.
4. Repeat to the end, backstitch two holes, cut tails, and smooth the leather edge.

Check your work

Look for even tension, secure thread ends, and clean edges. If the sample puckers or pulls out of shape, loosen the tension and test on scrap before continuing.

Common questions