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DIY Leather Plant Holders

Update the classic macrame plant hanger with this easy, modern take.

We love plant holders for hanging up plants on a porch or patio. They are a fashionable accessory to your room and also keep vines out of reach of curious toddlers and pets. And, as well as providing a clean, modern look, these leather hangers have a practical advantage. Leather is stronger and weathers the elements better than natural rope or yarn does. 

How to Make Plant Hangers with Leather

To give your hanging garden variety, we created two different styles of DIY plant hangers: one with a cuff-style wrap (left and bottom) and another with vertical straps (top center and right). Both are simple to make with a few supplies. We cut these strips of colored leather out of items we found at a thrift store. (You can also check the scrap bin at your local fabric shop or try districtleathers.com.) We even invented a trick to help you cut out the cuff-style pattern.

To make a cuff holder for any size pot, lay down your leather wrong-side up. Place the top of the pot on its side atop the leather - and roll it across. The top and bottom edges will score the hide with an arc that has just the right curve to wrap neatly around it. Trim the leather to the width you want.

After you create the leather template for the holder, you'll need leather or cotton cord in a matching color, a craft punch, scissors, and, depending on the style you pick, some brass brads, a ruler and epoxy. 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Wrapped Leather Plant Hanger

  • Plant pot
  • Pencil
  • Leather sheet, wide and tall enough to wrap your pot
  • Ruler
  • Leather or cotton cord
  • 2 brass brads
  • Japanese hole punch

Lay down the leather wrong-side up. Put the pot on top on its side and roll it across. The top and bottom edges of the pot will score the leather with a rainbow-shaped arc that has just the right curve to wrap neatly around it. Trim it to the width you want for your cuff.

Cut out the arc shape, making sure it is long enough for the ends to overlap by an inch. Use a Japanese hole punch to make four evenly spaced holes along the top of the arch. Feed cord through holes.

Wrap the arc shape around the pot, punch holes into the overlapping section at ends, and secure together with brads. Knot the cord ends and hang.



Strapped Leather Plant Hanger

  • Plant pot
  • Pencil
  • Leather sheet, wide and tall enough to wrap your pot
  • Ruler
  • Epoxy
  • Leather or cotton cord

Place the pot in the center of the leather. Trace a circle around the bottom of the pot with a pencil.Put one end of the ruler in the center of the circle. Trace edges of ruler outside circle, drawing two parallel lines the length of your pot's height. (For instance, if your pot is 4 inches tall, the lines you trace outside the circle should be 4 inches long—and 4 inches past the circumference of the circle.) Repeat on the opposite side, then perpendicular to the lines you created. When you finish, you will have what looks like a circle with a cross shape behind it.

Cut the shape you've drawn out of the leather. Fold down the end of each strap and secure it with epoxy to create a loop you can thread your cord through. Let dry completely. Cut cord to desired length, thread through loops, knot, and hang.

Article by Martha Stewart, as part of the Growing with Martha Stewart partnership.