Leather-Trimmed Lanterns

Prepare the leather strips: For small lantern, cut one 16 1/2-inch piece (for handle), two 19 5/8-inch pieces (for horizontal straps), and four 8-inch pieces (for vertical straps). For large lantern, cut one 16 1/2-inch piece (for handle), two 25 7/8-inch pieces (for horizontal straps), and four 10-inch pieces (for vertical straps).

To assemble each lantern, punch holes 3/8 inch from both ends of all straps. On horizontal straps, punch 3 more holes, evenly spaced.

Form bottom edge: Lay 1 horizontal strap flat, smooth-side down. Place the ends of 3 vertical straps, smooth-sides down, on top of it, lin- ing up the holes; leave the horizontal strap's first and last holes empty. Fasten brads through aligned holes.

Form top edge: Line up remaining horizontal strap, smooth-side down, with open ends of vertical straps. Sandwich one end of handle strap, smooth-side down, between horizontal strap in front and left-hand vertical strap in back; fasten all together with a brad. Fasten remaining vertical straps and handle-strap end to top horizontal strap with brads.

Form a sleeve: Pull together right and left ends of top and bottom horizontal straps. Place remaining vertical strap behind them, smooth-side facing out, and fasten with brads. Slip sleeve over vase.