How to Make Leather Pocket Air Plant Holders

Recycle leather scraps!

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a craft here on The Prudent Garden. Since I made the Kirigami Leather Plant holders for my other air plants and houseplants, I have acquired more air plants. They have been sitting on my window sill. That’s not a nice place for these little lovelies to live. Plus, my two year old likes to steal one every so often and it ends up in a toy box somewhere.

Since I still have a box of leather scraps from an old leather jacket, I’ve come up with little “pockets” to hold my air plants. These leather pockets can hang on bulletin boards, tacked to a wall or window frame, or even suspend from a mobile.  If you are not a fan of leather, try using stiff felt or synthetic leather or suede.

Supplies

1. Leather scraps
2. Scissors
3. Waxed linen thread
4. Leather hole puncher
5. Binder clip
6. Needle
7. Eyelets (optional)
8. Hammer and Eyelet Setter (optional)

Step One

 

Cut a square or rectangular piece of leather. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The beauty of these pockets it that they are slightly asymmetrical. You just need at least two straight edges.

Step Two

 

Fold one edge of the leather over to its opposite side, forming a triangle. Make sure the edges line up. Secure the fold with a binder clip.

Step Three

 

Set the leather hole puncher tool to the smallest hole setting. Punch holes spaced about 1/4  a part.

 

Step Four

 

Thread your needle with a length of waxed linen. Tie a knot at the bottom of the threaded piece of linen.

Step Five

 

I used my own variation of a “blanket stitch” to secure my leather pockets. To begin, insert the threaded needle from below and into the first hole.

Bring the need through the first hole and insert the needle into the next hole.

 

Pull the needle in between the loop created by the first and second stitch. Pull to secure the stitch. Insert the needle into the next hole from above and follow the steps again from above.  Once you have finished stiching the pocket closed, secure the last stitch with a knot.

Step Six

 

Punch a hole in the center of the top of the leather pocket. Insert the eyelet into the hole.

 

Set the eyelet with a hammer and anvil. This part is optional. Eyelets help reinforce the holes, but leather is strong and air plants are light, so eyelets are not totally necessary. I like the way it looks.

 

All done! Add an air plant and display. I love the portability of these hangers. You can move your air plants to where ever you want. Enjoy!