You can put a Clover Wonder Clip on this spot to allow the glue to set, but it doesnt take long. If you're new I suggest taking some of your scrap leather, punching out a few separate lines of stitching, and practicing a few times to get a feel for it. Then repeat this process until you've created holes all along the stitching channel. Well.. maybe you've not had this problem, but you can still make your journal look pretty sharp with this simple leather cover. Set the first tooth of the chisel in the last hole you previously made and line up the chisel along the groove for the next punch. However, I would avoid anything over 6oz. You are basically shaving away thin layers; this sometimes comes off looking more like sawdust than a layer depending on the type of leather you use. You may also need to tighten your top tension. Make sure to hold back the strap you've already sewn on as you sand the edges, it's easy to accidentally hit it with sandpaper if you do not. Use Veg Tan for your cover and you can paint, dye, or tool it. Pull out the template again and look for the stitching lines, which are dotted. And 8oz is definitely enough to bevel. Then the other piece needs to be attached to the journal cover itself. At this point your edges will be ready for the same edge finishing process used earlier in this guide. leather custom tooled books journal Im not usually this specific about things, but the professional dyes that Fiebing's makes come out with a much more consistent and reliable color than the others. If youre looking for some tricks to improve your cuts, you can read them on my leatherworking blog. Learn more about us. Using a paintbrush, apply a thin layer of glue to the back side of the strap, starting at the edge and stopping at the holes you created (see picture). Check this guide out prior to riveting to make sure your rivets look good. All of the links are to items/sites that I personally use or plan to get in the future. 6 years ago. Sand with a low grit sand paper to even out the edgeBevel (I skip this step on thinner leathers, like this inside edge) Sand with a higher grit sand paper to round out and eliminate large fibersSand with an even higher grit sand paper to make it smoothDye the edge and let dryWet with Gum Tragacanth and Burnish with the wood burnisher or canvas. You can spread the glue with your finger (if using a natural glue like Bishs) or with any small plastic tool. You'll want your stitching to go just beyond the flaps. As the dye disperses and the sponge becomes drier you can press harder to release the dye left in the sponge. Optional: This is the point where you should round the corners of your cover if you would like to. When the wax has dried, buff the leather by briskly rubbing the t-shirt in circles. Using your utility knife and steel ruler on a cutting mat for fixed blades, cut the following pieces of leather: (1) 8.5 x 6 cover piece Make sure that the front of the cover is up, as that side of the stitching will look best from that side. For other gift ideas, check out my gift post! As an added optional detail you can cut a small notch out of the long edge of the card pocket. Orders under $100 flat-rate $7.99 shipping. If you did not make sure your edges were even and flat, these stitching lines wont line up, so make sure you didn't skip the previous step. I've written a guide that will help you identify your mistakes and explain what you need to change to fix it for your next project. You are funny. If this starts to happen, stop and lightly wet the edges with water. Using a paintbrush, apply a thin layer of glue to the edge of the leather. Lay the templates on top of the pieces and set the punch over the holes. On the backside of that needs to be either the male or female part. On each pen tab, put a small dab of leather glue on the back side of each end.

3-5 oz Scrap Leather (I used oil-tanned scrap. It's surprisingly easy to mess up rivets or mangle them in the process. Then, using the template as a guide, place the strap on the body of the journal cover. Pull out the template again and place it on the leather. First, make sure you are working on a steady surface. In total, you will have 5 marks to be punched. Thanks for all the encouragement. Make sure to have one tooth on the flap and another on the journal cover, with the edge of the flap sitting in-between. If you need instruction and explanation on each step, please read this more in-depth overview. Flip the flaps over so the wrong side is up. Wet forming is pretty simple and a quick google search will teach you this process. Thanks, How to Free-motion Quilt Scalloped Hearts, BERNINA Zigzag foot with non-stick sole #52, BERNINA Straight-stitch foot with non-stick sole #53, BERNINA Open embroidery foot with non-stick sole #56, How to Make a Leather-Trimmed Laptop Case, Urban Doodles Steampunk Notebook Cover and Pencil Case by Kerry Finn, Fun Back-to-School Sewing Projects from WeAllSew, How to Sew a Convertible Leather Hip Sack, Celebrate National Craft Month with WeAllSew, CANDY STAR Quilt Along, Part 4: Assemble the Quilt Top, How to Add Free-standing Lace Appliqu to Garments, Utility knife and cutting mat for fixed blades, Non stick or roller presser foot (see below). At this point your leather should be looking good and shiny. Place a strip of double sided tape on the back side of each of the short sides of the card pocket, as well as the long side of without the notch. Use a heavy paper, like card stock, because you'll need to trace it later on just make sure you print it to 100% or actual size,' so it doesnt shrink during the printing process. Now that the piece is glued together, check the edges. Trim off any excess that hangs outside of the insert. You can use BERNINA Roller Foot #51, BERNINA Zigzag foot with non-stick sole #52, BERNINA Straight-stitch foot with non-stick sole #53 or BERNINA Open embroidery foot with non-stick sole #56. Luckily, beveling is pretty easy. If you want a more marbled finish, like I did, you can use an old shirt. Do you do any tooling? Make sure all edges are glued all the way to the edge. If you're using a chisel for the first time, it can be a bit tricky to navigate around curves and corners. I usually just try to find what is the best quality and run with that. Now using a snap setter and a rounded anvil (see what it looks like in the picture above) hammer the rivets into place. If you're new to leatherworking, it is advisable to use a cheaper leather. Post the finished projected once you get it done, I'm excited to see it.Unfortunately I don't have a good mentor like that (though I'd like to find one). And doing so will tear up the finish on the leather. If any part is already starting to part open, it will really come open when you finish the edges. Looks like a lot of work was put into this and it is so good to see another leather-worker! Thank you! Don't worry it can. Fold the tabs over to make loops, pressing the glue together. I usually just set a few heavy books on it and wait a minute. Some leathers tend to snag a bit when you are beveling. Do your best to only glue the space in-between the edge and the stitching line. Your leather Field Notes cover is complete! How to Find the Best Leather Clicker Press. A fun starter leather pattern that involves basic leather cutting and stitching! Thanks so much! -Leather Glue (I use Seiwa Leather Cement from GoodsJapan, but any glue cement should work.) Once each corner meets up perfectly, you are going to use a mallet to help the leather sit flat at the fold. Again stitching is a little bit tricky and will take more than 1 step on a guide to learn. Using the groover to create a stitching channel between the two holes you previously made, drag the groover around the curve, rotating the leather with your left hand, and making sure to pull down and towards yourself with the right. It has a top and a bottom, and then a female and male part that fit together.

Edgestitch each flap down to the cover separately along the outside edge.

You'll want the bottom side to be hidden underneath, and the male piece on the surface of the leather so it can connect with the female piece. This will prevent them from coming out. Both the strap and the journal cover will have the holes you need to punch out marked on them. Note to buyer: Of course you are free to use this template and design to make and sell this product. There are no extra charges when using these links, but they do help out the site and are greatly appreciated! With our lives becoming increasingly digital and our phones being right beside us at all times, we dont have as much need for a paper notebook as we once did. As you come to the notch, place a pen loop tightly into that space and continue stitching. This quick guide will walk you through that process. Which, by the way, is a great project for someone who is first beginning leatherwork.

Refer back to step 7, which is loaded with links to tutorials and guides to help you learn to saddle stitch well. I took a Veg Tan rectangle earring blank, dipped it in paint to marble it, then added the numbers using leather stamps (only Veg Tan or Oil Tan can be stamped). What would you use a leather journal for? I took a Veg Tan rectangle earring blank, then added the numbers using leather stamps. I made one of these and gifted it to my partner recently, and her weekly bullet journal ritual immediately became a daily habit.

But first, you're going to have to thread your needle. Maze Leather is about building one place to go and learn about the craft. Since this is such a tight curve, I suggest only using a two toothed chisel. Go ahead and punch those holes in the same way you did for the spine. There you have it, a leather journal, nice and easy! If you don't your hands are going to look like mine in this picture. (1) 4 x 2.25 card piece All inside edges must be finished prior to gluing and stitching the item together. Hah, you're too kind, thanks so much! When you feel comfortable with the length of the loop, go ahead and start stringing the cord through the top and bottom holes. Cutting corners are even trickier. Please can I get the PDF format file of this work for download? Then cut the channel in the other flap. This is only my second tutorial, and many more are on their way. Free Slim Wood and Leather Wallet Template. Share it with us! In this case, I added the year. If you need an example, check out the last picture in this step. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iah0rg6gGWs&t=6s, Best Leather Working Tools for Experts and Beginners. Round Knife if you already have one).

Seriously, getting good stitching took me awhile to learn, but is generally my favorite part of making something. Properly executed, a successful leatherwork project enhances the experience of daily life without being distracting. This leather journal cover is perfect for note taking or sketching on-the-go, or at your favorite coffee shop. If you want to keep up a productive and consistent journaling habit, a journal that looks and feels good is a must. Now, Kellen works full-time as a leather artist and wants to help other people tell their stories through leather. Take your hollow punch (I used the size punch), and center it on each of your marks. To glue use gluing cement. The next steps are totally optional! Place your scrap leather over the spine of your journal cover. Once it is dried, apply a leather finishing cream or carbanua cream and rub it in using an old t-shirt or rag (no need to use a sponge here). This way you don't stitch/rivet the flaps closed because then it wouldn't be a journal cover, it would just be a piece of leather. Double or triple up on the binding to add more inserts. Set the first tooth of the chisel in the last hole you previously made and line up the chisel for the next punch. Edge finishing is the last thing you should do, unless the edge is an inside edge. I call any edge that is not on the outline or perimeter of the object an inside edge. These edges do not touch the other edge of the piece it comes in contact with, and instead sits in the middle. Those that have a bit more knowledge of leather working will see a ton of ways to add to this project. I love everything I've made from leather - each thing involved a long step-by-step process but the end result was worth it- and whatever you make seems to last forever. Peel the paper side of the tape off, and place the pocket in your desired location on one of the flaps. Make sure to use a straight edge and a rotary cutter for this part because its much easier to achieve straight lines. Nice work. For the sake of space I will only list the process below. This will create a channel for the stitching to rest in, and slow the wear on the thread. If your edges are even and flat, the next step is to prep the leather for stitching. You can spend a lot on tools, but if you buy the right ones, know where to look, and just get the basic tools as your starting, you can keep costs down. If this continues even after wetting the edges reduce the pressure you are putting on the beveler and reset the beveler on the leather when you see the beginning of a snag. Apply Gum Tragacanth to the backside and rub briskly back and forth until the entirety of the backside is smooth and glossy. You can find my past tutorials and all future ones on my blog or here on instructables! -Thread-Stitching Needles-Diamond Chisel -Stitching Groover -Burnisher or a Piece of Canvas -Edge Beveler -Gum Tragacanth-Rivet Setter and Anvil-Snaps-Dye and Carnauba Cream (if the leather isn't pre-dyed) -Leather (I used a 4oz leather for this project). Mark where the edge of the flap stops, so you will know how far to glue on the next step. Oh yeah, and follow me on Instagram because I need friends. If the excess isn't too much or not that noticeable, do not cut it. Ive written a guide on my blog to help you buy your first leather tools and another guide to give you confidence when buying your first piece of leather. You will see a small detail now on the spine and have all the excess cord back on the inside of the cover. I feel great about myself now! Using your mallet, hammer it clean through the leather.

One year later, I've yet to attempt making boots, but I'm loving leatherwork and hope to get there one day soon.

If youre new, I suggest using a rotary cutter for the straight parts and an X-acto knife for the corners and curves. Also make sure you cut out the template correctly. This glue works like contact cement, so you only have one chance to get it right. It is awesome to watch the step-by-step of constructing this notebook cover! This way when they are folded in half to make a loop, the end of the loop is only the thickness of one layer of leather.

If you're unsure, the stitching has been marked on the template as well. Disgusting. Once the sponge starts creating streaks instead of blocks of color, fill it back up with dye. Line up your detail piece up exactly where you would like it on the cover and mark your holes. The cover measures 11.5' by 9 1/4'. Find the center of your journal cover, along the spine fold. Hand stitch your own Leather Journal Cover! This leather Field Notes notebook cover is a great way to make something simple like writing a grocery list or jotting down some work notes feel almost luxurious. I have the best luck achieving a matte finish using a high density sponge. This was more than enough to give me my loop to close the journal and tie off the binding inside the journal insert. Then hammer the chisel through. If burnishing requires it's own guide, then stitching requires a few. here's a guide for making sure your stitching holes look perfect, even around corners and bends. If you haven't figured out by this point in the tutorial, I'd love it if you checked out my blog: http://www.goldbarkleather.com It's a great place to learn the basics of leatherworking alongside others and will help you go from beginner to skilled craftsman in the art of leatherwork. If you are having trouble tracing the template because it is sliding around, you can tape it down, just make sure youve given extra time for the dye to dry or the tape will pull some of it up. Nubuck vs. Suede Leather: Dont Cows Stand in the Rain? And that is it! Repeat this process until the entirety of your leather has been dyed. The A5 Scribe journal slip is the perfect example of this. If your machine has a speed setting, slow it down to the lowest setting possible.

Love it! It's always good to take a look at your stitching once you've finished and see what you love, and don't love, about it so you can improve. Here's a guide on how to cut round and square corners correctly. Your aim is to remove about half the thickness of the leather from the last 1/2 of each end of the pen tabs. You can also use your corner rounding toolto round the bottom two corners at this point if desired. I did two loops before knotting off the thread and cutting the excess. When you are happy with that placement, youll need to add two more marks about from the top and bottom marks of your journal insert, going towards the center mark. If you make it let me know, I'm eager to see how peoples' projects turn out, About: goldbarkleather.com || Gold Bark Leather is all about helping the beginner become a skilled craftsman in the art of leatherworking. Using a rubber mallet, hammer the punches through each hole. Doing this will ensure that the corners of the flaps stay flat on the journal cover and don't start curling up over time. If working w/ veg tan, use veg tan scrap). Run your stitching groover, which should still be set from earlier, along the edges in-between the two holes, making sure to do this on both sides.

Quickly turn the bottle over with the sponge/rag pressed to the opening three times to load the sponge/rag up with dye. Fold your cord in half, and create a little loop to push through the center hole on your cover. In fact, at this point, you should hit all your edges with 150 grit to make sure they are nice and flat. A snap is made up of four separate pieces. Now, using a rubber hammer, hit the chisel completely through the leather and pull it back out. Cutting in general can be tricky, and mistakes made at this stage are amplified during the edge finishing process. Free Shipping on orders over $100. I suggest cutting out rounded corners square, and then rounding them out afterwards. Slip the cord through the holes closest to the center first, then come back to the inside of the journal through the furthest holes from the center. Once the three pieces are all placed together, check the glue. And you got better in the process. Rivets and snaps are really tricky to remove once set, so it's better to just do it right the first time. And, you gave me an idea to make some of these as gifts - but only to those who I know will take care care of it and appreciate it!

With the wrong side of the cover up, spread a very thin and narrow layer of glue between each mark that you made in the previous step. If it is not easy to see or you are unsure where the edges are, retrace using more pressure. Make sure the loop is lined up well as you stitch. I would like to make a little gallery of builds our visitors have made! We strive to produce great hardware that lasts while meeting and exceeding regulatory requirements. If youve done leatherworking for awhile or are certain you will be doing it a lot in the future, use or buy a round knife which can be used for straight lines, sharp edges, and curves. The inside edge on these two flaps are the ones that are angled. Place your journal insert, open to its center, down in the leather cover, and tie your cord ends into a knot. Hold the beveler at 45 degrees to the surface of the leather and run it along the edge making sure to start and stop where the flaps begin and end. It costs a bit more, but this small increase is worth the difference in outcome. Both of these use pretty traditional methods. Show us your finished journal and how you use by tagging us on social media with @theleatherguymn. This will make it easier to remove a card from the pocket. Remember to set your stitch length to at least 3.5 (I used 4.0). After, place the female side of the snap over both the top part of the rivet and the leather strap and hammer it closed. Want to make sure I order the right ones. Let the glue dry slightly until it is mostly clear so that it is tacky. Answer Like I mentioned before, you can customize this in any number of ways.

Sitemap 0