Every Scandinavian Dining Room Needs This DIY Flatware Pocket

By  Trisha Sprouse Updated
DIY leather flatware pocket Trisha Sprouse

We love simple napkin ring, but if you want to try something different for your table setting, consider a flatware pocket. Crafted from leather and paired with brass hardware, their minimal design lends major Scandinavian style to your dining space. Perfect for holidays, celebrations, or even everyday occasions, they add a bit of modern elegance to any place setting. Not only do they keep your utensils together, they are also easy to transport should you opt for a picnic in the park or barbecue on the beach.

Things Needed

For a seriously Insta-worthy scene, pair these with our eucalyptus table runner or edible table runner.

DIY leather flatware pouchTrisha Sprouse

Step 1

Using either a utility knife or sharp scissors, cut out three leather pieces to the following sizes:

  • 4 ¼ inches wide by 11 inches long

  • 4 ¼ inches wide by 3 ½

    inches long

  • 5 ½ inches wide by 1 inch long

Cutting leather pieces for flatware pocketTrisha Sprouse

On one end of the 5 ½-inch-by-1-inch leather strip, cut a diagonal line to create a pointed tip.

Cutting diagonal point on leather stripTrisha Sprouse

Step 2

Turn the two larger leather pieces over so their backsides are facing up and stack the smaller one on top of the larger one, lining up the bottom edges together. On each side of the smaller piece, mark three evenly spaced dots that are ¼ -inch in from the edge — six dots total. Then mark two evenly spaced dots on the bottom, again ¼ -inch in from the edge. You should now have eight dots.

Marking dots on leather for rivet placementTrisha Sprouse

Step 3

Line your leather hole punch up with each dot, and punch through both leather pieces. Be sure to keep the two pieces lined up evenly as you punch through to ensure the holes stay lined up.

Holes punched through the leather piecesTrisha Sprouse

Step 4

Turn both leather pieces right side up and stack them together so that all the holes line up. Place the base of a brass rivet through the first hole and ensure the post goes through both pieces of leather.

Placing base of rivet through holeTrisha Sprouse

Place the cap of the rivet on top of the rivet base and use the rivet setter to hammer the two pieces together. Repeat for each hole.

Hammering cap of rivet onto base of rivetTrisha Sprouse

Step 5

Place the pointed strip of leather on top of the flatware pocket — about midway down — and punch a hole on each side, a 1/4 inch in from the edge, again going through both leather pieces.

Punching two holes on leather stripTrisha Sprouse

Step 6

On the left side, screw a brass stud screwback through the hole, going through both leather pieces. On the right side, only screw a brass stud screwback through the bottom piece of leather.

Brass stud screwbacks attached through holes on leather stripTrisha Sprouse

Step 7

Use a utility knife to cut a small slit on the remaining hole, moving the blade inwards from the hole. Cut it just long enough so the brass stud can fit through the hole to "lock" the strap in place.

Cutting a slit through hole on leather stripTrisha Sprouse

Slide your flatware into the pocket and lock the strap in place on the brass stud.

Hope dinner is ready because your flatware pockets are done.

Flatware added to leather pocketsTrisha Sprouse

Such an easy project that adds style, sophistication, and Scandinavian charm to your table settings. Cheers (or should we say Skål) to that!

DIY cutlery pouchTrisha Sprouse
DIY leather flatware pocketTrisha Sprouse

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