Quote Originally Posted by 1oldsarge View Post
Having worked with leather, I can advise that leather that is dampened and put into the shape that you want it, will remain in that shape when it dries. I used to use a hair dryer to expedite the process.
Yup, leather workers use water to "wet-form" leather to all sorts of shapes. It takes more than dampening the leather, though. Ideally, it should be soaked all the way through so that all the fibers in the leather are pliable. Then form it to the shape you want and let it dry. I would not use a hair dryer or other artificial means. Something as small as a strap should dry on its own in a couple of hours anyway.

After it dries, it's a good idea to oil the leather with mink oil or another suitable leather oil. It should still keep its formed shape, but will be softer and more bendable.