Short on space? Want to showcase your favorite outfits? Why not hang a modern clothing rack for visual interest? It could grace the corner of an unused room or liven up a boring wall. This easy-to-make clothing rack not only provides clothing storage, but also lets you visualize which pieces to wear.
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Things You'll Need
1 1/2 inch diameter dowel rod
1-inch wide leather straps (2)
Brass rings (2)
Brass leather snaps, #20
Snap fastening kit
Leather punch
Mallet
Razor blade
Concrete or granite surface
Measuring tape
Step 1: Punch hole in leather
Position the punch tool on the leather strap where the first snap will sit. Use the mallet and give the end of the punch tool a firm hit (or hits) until the punch tool has punched through the leather.
Tip
Take this project outside and work on it on concrete. All steps need a firm surface and a surface that won't be damaged by the tools.
Step 2: Set snap
Each snap set will have four pieces. Place the post of one snap through your leather so that the cap shows on the outside of the leather strap. Place the cap down on the setting anvil (the metal disc that comes with the fastening kit) on top of granite or concrete.
On the backside (the rougher side) of the leather, place the closer piece of your snap on top of the post. Place the setter tool on the closer piece and hit with mallet. Give it a few firm hits.
Step 3: Check snap placement
The leather needs to be able to snap over a ring to close and hang. Fold the leather on it's end to decide where to set the other side of the snap. Just like in Step 1, punch a hole in the leather.
Step 4: Set snap
Insert post piece through the front side of the leather. Flip the leather over and place the frontside of the leather, face down on the anvil. Add the closer piece to the snap. Grab the snap setter and give the snap a couple good hits with the mallet. Attach the metal ring.
Step 5: Repeat
Repeat Steps 1-4 for the second leather strap.
Step 6: Measure and cut
At this point, decide where you want to hang the clothing rack. Grab the measuring tape and measure how long the leather straps need to be for where the clothing rack is going to hang. Take your measurement and add approximately five inches to it to account for the last set of snaps. Cut the leather to size.
Step 7: Punch and set snaps
Using the same process as Steps 1-4, place snaps in the leather. This time, take into account having the leather strap fold over the dowel rod when measuring for the holes. Repeat the same process with the second strap.
Step 8: Hang
Hang the clothing rack from the ceiling or on the wall.
