How to Make a Leather Apple Watch Band

In this Project video, I show you how to make a Leather Apple Watch Band. I finally took some time to sit down and design three different styles based audience request. The Apple Watch is extremely popular and having a custom leather watch band made for them is a common request.
Our goal with this video is to show my process for making the three different styles and to hopefully help anyone try their hand at making these. If you are looking for that perfect Christmas item to offer to your customers as gift ideas, then this is a great one.
As with all of our Project Videos, we have created a Companion Pattern Pack. In this pack, you will find all the cut patterns for all three styles as well as 6 different tooling patterns for each style. If you would like to purchase the Companion Pack for this Project Video, then click here and grab that:
dgsaddlery.com/product/leathe...
The buckles that I used for these bands are made by Rockin Out Silver and you can use this link to order some of these fantastic buckles: rockinoutsilver.com/Iwatch-buc...
Here are some useful links of friends of ours and of videos I have done you might find helpful:
Dyeing background on leather and antiquing: • Dyeing the Background ...
How I slick my leather edges: • Quick Tutorial: Slick...
Leather and Supplies: makersleathersupply.com
Sewing Machines: leathermachineco.com

[@richardkatzman1215]

Don, for someone that didn’t want to get involved doing watch bands, you do beautiful work. I’m not surprised because everything you do is fantastic! Best regards, Richard

[@Road38910]

it's always a pleasure to see a true craftsman work.

[@jarrettmedders8624]

With getting into leather work it really helps like this to have a tutorial explaining every step. Thank you.

[@greywells7710]

I've been hoping you'd do a watch band video...now I'm going to give it a try! DG you are the man!! Love your work and your tutorials!

[@peteallen1868]

Great work Don and THANKS for sharing!!!

[@photojournalist1194]

Great video and it shows you're artistic and education abilities. Thank you.

[@arturopacheco9681]

DG...Thanks a bunch for being an open book!!! Great information!!!

[@ogdiemonkey1905]

Really nice work! Thanks for sharing your craft with us

[@brianchester2122]

Another easy to follow video Don. I'm so glad no background music. Thank you.

[@rinkrat55]

Beautiful work. Cheers from Canada.

[@davesimler724]

Don, You make it look sooo easy.

[@edwarduribe2910]

Great work. Learned alot

[@WackyZackyfication]

Awesome stuff. Keep up the good work!

[@LawrenceRinconLoRinKo]

your vids are simply satisfying to watch. going to try and purchase the tools you used here and give this a go. Mr Gonzales you are much appreciated!

[@dpatco]

Leather Whispering. Awesome Sir !!!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@lostpenguinleather8470]

Great tutorial as always DG!! Tooth picks are great for using on folds if you don't have a needle handy. They're about the size as most spring bars.

[@lbdeuce]

i really like the way you instruct. so many people are more concerned with looking trendy than providing useful information in an understandable way.

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

Sonofagun! I just got one of these watches not two weeks ago and would never have known they make adapters for the bands. Looks like I've got more fun ahead during this self-quarantine than I had originally thought! Thanks, Don!!

[@chrisyankus4253]

Thank you best instructional and quality I have seen!!

[@johnnylgulledge6899]

Excellent video!

[@staceyboyd8236]

Awesome as always ! Looks like a project t in my near future...cause my daughter is gonna have to have one of these lol! Thanks Don!

[@moniquehoffer3527]

I have to say, I really enjoy watching how easily you just draw up your pattern for tooling. I’m not sure if I’ve missed a video somewhere but I’d love to see how you work up a halter (if you make them) from start to finish. If find your pointers throughout the process of any build have helped me immensely.

[@SKMRAIPUR]

Brilliant job

[@dmaciel2830]

OMG you are the best!!!

[@bradjanuchowski8471]

Man u make tooling the small stuff look easy

[@mattbarnett6632]

Really like these Don! Can’t wait to give them a shot... now to find someone with an iwatch

[@calissaobviouslycannotdeci7419]

This was a fun build to watch - I don't have an Apple watch but this made me want one! lol.... Great job!

[@bubba7531]

Thanks Don. Wow, 3 styles in 1 video. Have had my AW 6 months. I will get the pattern pack.

[@davidsims1329]

Great job

[@user-zg2nn7yq7o]

Thank you very very good

[@woodsweezell7596]

Very very nice Don.

[@marcosgonzalez6028]

Muy buen trabajo,lo voy a intentar,no se mucho ingles ,pero tu trabajo lo explica muy bien,saludos desde el norte de Mexico,bendiciones,

[@The2Time4792]

Great video

[@Lucas-nf6ou]

Queste sono opere d'arte!

[@11h5p4]

Awesome Th

[@shrewdnewt]

I love your stuff. I've gotten into tooling because of how beautiful your stuff is. I want to take your tooling class I'm just not to sure how I feel about online classes.

[@kevinlouden444]

I enjoyed the class, very well presented. Hoping more classes are on the way.

[@wyattessary5663]

I really enjoy these videos! First comment!

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

Thanks brotha! I like making them!

[@danielhenderson556]

Damn Don your good homie, master leather worker!!!!!

[@russellwhite8890]

Nice

[@thesweetnsultry]

A good set of wide chisel’s would save you some time. And thx man wicked tips

[@cristianmorillo5455]

Espectacular!!!!!! Tienes unas manos mágicas. Una cosa se pueden conseguir los moldes gracias😉

[@carlosb1]

That leather will hold it's value much better than that watch in 10 years.

[@agentluisllamas]

They look great 👍🏽 just a question what glue are you using ?

[@evelkauchnotqa1488]

I love the video. Would stitches make it stronger? I missed what glue you used

[@beyondelectronics2000]

Awesom work. I really like video. Beautiful. BDW, link for buckle doesn’t work. Do you have another link for watch buckle’s?

[@pfitz671]

I've been hoping you'd make some patterns for watch straps (watch straps got me started in leather craft). Great job (per usual).

[@DLSWV]

👍😉. That lots work. 😢

[@davidsims1329]

Man I’ll tell ya I’m I tooler too, stated in the “83” wiring at tandy store in the Bay Area and you are a master for sure. Great Job. I’m also wanting to start teaching veterans in South Carolina upstate or I live working for an organization called Upstate warriors solutions and I’m looking for patterns and all that kind of stuff and projects. Would you be more suited to the individual love you night shifts or stay rich man’s were outstanding, too, and all the western belts are just beautiful yes

[@minerblue9641]

I really like the snap on band. It makes it easy to snap it off and wash my hands snap it on again.

[@tammydolan5903]

Do you have any photos of the cuff band on a wrist? I’m trying to decide which one to make for myself!

[@Patrick7C]

Did you use Barry King Bevelers? If so, what sizes? 00 smooth and #45 3 hole bar grounder?

[@ld2639]

Hi! I really like, your apple iwatch bands. How can I purchase them and where? I couldn’t understand how the companion pack works! Thanks for your time!!

[@woodwoman9130]

Is the Singer 3115 a good starter machine and can you recommend any more ? Thanks!

[@DLSWV]

Where place you buys good strong buckles for belts and leads and stuff. ? Thanks.

[@thomasyoder4537]

Can you put a bee link for the buckle? It’s not working.

[@cliffspringer2611]

What bevelers do you use for the inside curves?

[@atomicwalnut1581]

Another great video! Slicked edges don't take dye as well for me so I dye, then slick. Is there a trick to dying pre slicked edges?

[@eduardolay123]

I had the same problem, then I started adding 2-3 coats each time and it worked out. Its a bit more time consuming but worked out.

[@atomicwalnut1581]

@@eduardolay123 Thanks. I add several coats as well, but it seems to really build up pigment. Navy, black and red are the worst. It's like wiping a marker. I have to spend 5 minutes rubbing the edges before I seal it.

[@kevinorr328]

The injector style blades, the shaving ones are fairly pricey. Where do you get your utility blades?

[@maxfarr8775]

How long do you wait for your dye to dry?

[@jerrypino5608]

What kind of swivel knife are you using 1/8?

[@michaelchristensen8662]

I got th pattern pack just can’t find the buckle like the one you used the ones I find are really plain

[@darkguardian011]

Where'd you get your swivel knife? If I may ask.

[@jccrabb1]

What blades do you use in your exact o knife and what size knife is it ? I have both #1 and # 2 sizes and haven’t found any blades like you start the video with that will fit in either knife

[@kboleather]

A skiving knife blade.

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

They're just single edge injector razor blades.

[@redfoot1958]

What type of motor did you put on the 31 15?

[@larrycannon647]

Is your work surface HDPE?

[@Latin__boy]

Can you tell me what type of tools you used to make it please ?

[@geraldreed8426]

Mr. Gonzales where did you get the knife you used for cutting the blanks on this video... Dr. Reed

[@tylerschweighart7979]

What model is your little Singer sewing machine?

[@c7customleather]

What do you charge for these. I have made a few but just as gifts but ppl keep wanting me to make some to sale.

[@jjustlooken]

how much for watch band 1 and a half and extra long with some chrone on it in black i have a large wrist

[@galoque]

Just FYI. I did the math because I wear the small I watch band and the difference in the pattern to the smaller band is only 1/4 inch on each side

[@megarouge61]

I have looked for the double edged blades you are using and cannot seem to find them. Are they an Xacto product?

[@JessiesFarmArt]

They’re replacement blades for a safety skiver, used in an xacto handle. Springfield Leather sells them 👍🏻

[@megarouge61]

@@JessiesFarmArt Thank you !

[@HaiderAli-rw8nq]

can you do this on chrome tan?

[@alb673]

I think the chrome tan doesn't take tooling well, but you could make a plain strap

[@dorismeryzu]

Don Gonzales can you make some for me?

[@11lato]

How much does such a belt cost? greetings.

[@danieladaniela747]

Ala madre don González no de ocurra ordenar huevos por correo

[@Corey_1997]

What your business name or website to buy products from you

[@robertfischer5893]

The shoemaker's son is barefoot. The leathersmith's watch band is from Amazon.

[@fredob1397]

Another amazing tutorial, thank you. The only thing was I thought I was going to pass out looking at that massive scar on your thumb. :)

[@emperorking3199]

313

[@Cigarjokester]

How do I order one of these for my Apple Watch like the first one you made I Apple Watch is 44 mm

[@LifeinCamoMedia]

Do you make and sell these already made? I don't have access to leather tools and supplies. Nor do I have the time or skills to do it.

[@emperorking3199]

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