My favorite time of year is Fall, especially here in New York City. A perfect day is putting on a cozy sweater and walking around the city with a hot cup of coffee in hand. Update one of last season’s sweaters, or add some personality to a new purchase, with these leather star elbow patches.

Keep reading for the full tutorial…

Supplies
1. Scraps of leather. In NYC, I like to get mine in the scrap bin at Jem Fabrics. Another good place to grab small pieces of leather is in the leather section of your local craft supply store.
2. Star shape and cardstock.
3. Brown thread and a needle
4. A new or used sweater.
5. Scissors
6. Pins

Instructions
1. Cut out a star onto cardstock
2. Trace onto the wrong side of the leather. Here, I decided that I liked the rough texture of the back of the leather better than the smooth face.
3. Cut out the stars
4. Pin one star on each sweater sleeve where your elbow naturally bends.
5. Use a whipstitch, sometimes called an overhand stitch, to secure the leather stars to the sweater. In one motion, push the needle through a bit of the sweater and a bit of the leather, pull the thread through both. Repeat all the way around the outside of each star.
6. Wear your new sweater with snazzy elbow patches. Feel good about your craft skills when everyone asks where you bought such a rad sweater!

Michelle here! This DIY is all about making something individualized and colorful for your home. Using felt, we’re going to create a bold, striped initial to liven up any bare wall.I can envision this project being perfect for a modern nursery, above each child’s bed in a shared bedroom, or adorning the walls in an artsy living room like mine.

To get started, gather the following supplies…

Double Tack Mounting Film (technically, this is a big sheet of super sticky sticker paper. Find it in sheets at your local art supply store)
A 12”x18” canvas board
Cutting Mat
Exacto Knife
Quilting ruler (the clear ruler with measurements)
A pen
Colorful sheets of felt at least 11” x 17”

Step 1: Line up up to three sheets of felt. Using your ruler and knife, cut off one inch strips. You’ll need about 14 strips.

Step 2: Peel one side off of the Double Tack. This stuff if very sticky, be careful.

Step 3: Lay down the felt strips right next to each other until the Double Tack sheet is covered in felt. A random pattern of color looks best!

Step 4: Flip over the felted Double Tack. Draw your letter on the back. Remember, if it’s a non-symmetrical letter, like an N or P, draw the mirror image of the final letter.

Step 5: Cut out the letter.

Step 6: Peel off the paper backing to expose the adhesive. You now have a big, striped, felt sticker.

Step 7: Stick your letter onto the canvas board.

Finished! Hang your newly crafted, colorful initial anywhere that needs a little pizzazz.