Perforating upholstery leather - DIY

[katit]

Not sure if it's possible (I am sure it is) to DIY perforation? See pic of upholstery leather. I found very good color match but need it to be perforated (ideally)

This going to be used on a steering wheel. Not much needed, so even if it's manual labor I'm OK with it, just need to know how it's done. Tool, technique, etc.

 

 

[LatigoAmigo]

2 hours ago, katit said:

just need to know how it's done

I know this is a reach... but you might consider perforating it with a laser cutter, that is, if one is available. 

[katit]

I actually look at it closely and it doesn’t look like perforation, more like indentations, not all way through 

[chuck123wapati]

a punch and a straight edge. offset each row by half of the distance of your spacing,

[Handstitched]

To perforate the leather all the way through  would weaken the leather, and perhaps tear along the perforations , just a thought . 

HS 

[Matt S]

Since it's upholstery leather and you only need a small amount I would print off a pattern (lots of ways to make custom sized dot grids) and attach it to the leather with a temporary spray glue, like spraymount. Then punch the holes with a small drive punch and peel off the paper. If you're wrapping it around a relatively small diameter that curves in three directions (a steering wheel) any small irregularities wouldn't be very noticeable.