Leather Wrist Wraps/cuffs

Do you need wrist support? Swag? Both? 

You will need:
- 6"x18"x1/8" leather
- 8 Chicago screws
- 4 3/4" buckles
- 4 3/4" D rings
- Scissors
- Leather punch
- Oil (canola, olive, coconut, whatever)

Step 1: The Leather

Either download and print the attached pattern (thanks Catling), or construct your own with a carpenter's square.

If drafting your own pattern, first mark a 6"X18" rectangle. Across the short dimension mark lines at 4, 5.5, and 11.5 inches. Along the long dimension mark lines at .5, 1.25, 1.75, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4.25, 4.75, and 5.5 inches. On the buckle side, mark holes at .25, 1, and 3.5 inches, and a notch for the buckle prong from 2-2.5 inches. On the thong side mark holes every half inch. 

Once the leather is cut out and punched, you may want to soften it by heating it and soaking it in oil. Put the leather flat on a cookie sheet covered in oil, and put them in the oven at ~200F for a half hour. Wash with detergent and dry before installing the hardware.

Step 2: The Hardware

Slide the D ring on, followed by the buckle, and install the first Chicago screw. Then punch through the existing hole to install the second screw. Slide the thongs through the slits, and you're ready to put the wraps on!

Step 3: Putting Them On

Put on the wraps by pulling the thongs away from your body with the buckles on the inside of your wrist. Wrap the thongs back under your wrist, and hold the top thong in your hand. Buckle the bottom thong, then the top thong, and you're in business. The leather may be too stiff to lift on immediately, but leather reacts very well to contact with human skin, so wear them for a couple days to break them in, they'll stretch and conform to your wrists, and you'll have a pair of very supportive but comfortable and stylist wrist wraps. 

Step 4: Action Shot!