Make a Leather Valet Tray — Step-by-Step Tutorial
Would you like to create an elegant, durable, 100% handmade leather valet tray? This tutorial is for you! Whether you’re a beginner or already familiar with leatherworking, this project is perfect for learning the basics: cutting, punching, edge finishing, and setting rivets.
This guide complements the YouTube video where every step is demonstrated in detail. Here, you’ll find all the instructions as well as the link to download the pattern.
Materials Needed
- A piece of soft or semi-firm leather (recommended thickness: 2–2.5 mm)
- The valet tray pattern (downloadable PDF in Step 1)
- A metal ruler
- A precision knife
- A silver marking pencil
- A hole punch set
- Rivets + a setting tool
- Toko Cream or any edge-finishing product
- A burnisher
- An edge beveler
All required tools and leathers are available in our online store.
Step 1 — Download and Cut the Pattern
You can download the pattern for free by clicking here
Download the valet tray pattern, print it at 100% scale, and cut it neatly. It’s full-size, so make sure the 1 cm reference square measures correctly.
This pattern will serve as your template to trace the shape on the leather.
You can then cut it out using a ruler and a precision knife, following the traced lines.
Step 2 — Trace the Pattern onto the Leather
Place the paper pattern on the leather and hold it firmly in place. Using a silver pencil, carefully trace the outline.
Tip: Use an anvil or a weight to keep the paper from moving while you trace. This leaves one hand free and prevents the pattern from shifting.
Step 3 — Cut the Leather
Cut your shape with a precision knife and ruler, keeping the blade perpendicular to the surface. Make clean, confident cuts to avoid multiple passes, which can make the edges less crisp.
Step 4 — Punch the Holes
Place the paper pattern back onto your cut leather piece (you can secure it with the anvil as before).
Mark the positions of the holes indicated on the pattern. Punch them using a hole punch sized to fit your rivets.
Step 5 — Bevel the Edges
For a more professional look, bevel the sharp edges to create a smooth, rounded finish.
Use an edge beveler: place the cutting edge on the corner of the leather and slide it along the entire edge. Repeat on both the grain and flesh sides for nicely rounded edges.
Step 6 — Burnish the Edges (Toko Cream)
Apply Toko Cream or another edge-finishing product, then rub with a burnisher or soft cloth. The edge will become smooth, shiny, and protected.
Step 7 — Assemble and Set the Rivets
Bring the corners of the valet tray together, align the holes, and insert the rivets. Set them firmly using the setting tool and an anvil.
Pro Tips
- Change your knife blade regularly for clean cuts.
- Test on a scrap piece before punching or riveting.
- The cleaner your edge finishing, the more premium your piece will look.
Watch the full video on YouTube to follow the steps in real time. And if you make this valet tray, share your creation on Instagram and tag @CuirNaturel!