MYO Customised Belt from Salvaged Leather

Craft your own unique, durable leather belt using salvaged materials, perfect for beginners, creatives, and anyone wanting to learn a practical new skill. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn to create a custom-fit belt from salvaged leather, guided by expert instructors. You’ll explore the core techniques of leatherworking - from cutting and measuring to setting buckles, rivets, and finishing with personal touches like dyeing or stamping.

This short course is ideal for DIYers, tinkerers, and complete beginners who want to learn how to transform pre-loved leather into something functional, stylish, and truly your own. For more hands-on workshops like this, browse our full range of DIY courses.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Understand types of salvaged leather and basic sustainability considerations
• Safely use core leatherworking tools
• Measure and cut a belt strap to fit
• Set a buckle, rivets/snaps, and keeper loop
• Punch holes, burnish edges, and customise using dyes or stamps
• Care for and maintain their belt over time

Course content

1. Welcome, Safety & Sustainability

• Workshop goals and finished belt examples
• PPE and tool safety
• Why salvaged leather: sourcing, quality, ethics

2. Tools & Materials Familiarisation

• Overview of leatherworking tools (knives, punches, mallets, setters)
• Understanding buckles, rivets, keeper loops, and optional dyes/stamps

3. Design & Measuring

• Belt width and buckle pairing
• Measuring waist and laying out hole spacing
• Mark-up on leather

4. Cutting & Strap Preparation

• Safe straight cuts and shaping tips
• Edge beveling, sanding, and prepping for burnishing

5. Buckle End & Keeper Loop

• Folding and setting buckle ends
• Punching holes and adding rivets/snaps
• Making and attaching a keeper loop

6. Customisation

• Burnishing edges with wax
• Optional dyeing or staining
• Stamping initials or simple designs

7. Hole Layout & Finishing

• Even spacing and alignment
• Conditioning, polishing, and final fit check

8. Care & Repair

• Cleaning, conditioning, and storage
• Simple repair techniques (hardware, edge re-burnishing)

9. Wrap-Up & Q&A

• Showcase and final fit
• Troubleshooting tips and next-project ideas

Intended audience

This course is suitable for adults 18+ and is ideal for:

• Absolute beginners
• Creative hobbyists, tinkerers, and DIY enthusiasts
• Anyone interested in sustainable crafting or leatherwork basics

Course materials

All materials and tools are provided, including:

• Pre-cut, pre-inspected salvaged leather straps
• Buckles, rivets/snaps, keeper loops
• Leatherworking tools (individual and shared stations)
• Consumables: wax, conditioner, sandpaper, rags
• Step-by-step printed handout

Course venue

This course is offered at Redfern and Summer Hill Campuses.

The venue details will be provided upon enrolment; please ensure you select your preferred location when enrolling. 

Additional information

Please wear:

• Closed-toe shoes
• Comfortable, non-delicate clothing
• Hair tied back, no loose sleeves or jewellery

Optional: You may bring your own buckle for use (subject to quality check by instructor).

Accessibility

Some of our tutors are experienced in working with people with disability. Please advise us of any accessibility requirements prior to enrolment so we can support your learning experience.