A7 size Notebook cover (WIP)

[pfrsantos]

Awlready had an A6 model, going for something more portable and practical.

This is just the beginning. I awlways take lots of time before deciding what to do and how to do it.

 

I know, I know...

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[kottskrapa]

This will be fun to follow! Looking forward to next step

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[RF52]

What leather do you use?

[pfrsantos]

What leather do you use?

Not really sure... the pieces you see here are from a bag of leftovers from other works that I bought for €5 (about 2Kg?...) in a local leather goods shop. They come in awl colours, shapes and types of leather. I made a small pouch for my Midnite Manager with a croc-alike brown piece that came in this lot.

I also buy larger pieces individually. Usualy, about 3mm or 4mm, vegetable tanned leather, without any dye. These go for about €15 per Kg.

[RF52]

Looking forward to seeing the rest of your progress
Been thinking of something similar myself and might copy your design
If you don't mind off course?

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[pfrsantos]

Looking forward to seeing the rest of your progress
Been thinking of something similar myself and might copy your design
If you don't mind off course?

Sent fra min M2002J9G via Tapatalk

Copying my design?!



Just because of that, you're forbidden from seeing the pics I'm going to post and read my comments on them. I'll awlso take more than 5 minutes to answer any questions you might have. So there!

 

[pfrsantos]

Not a good idea to post my idea here. Now, I feel I owe it to you guys to make good on my promess and start working on it.

 

So, first of awl: mark the place of the stitching. You can use a ruler, I prefer a compass. It ensures awl the lines are at the same distnce from the edge. No need to make a very deep groove, just a guideline.

I use an 8-prong fork to make the stitching holes. It makes for a nicer, straighter line. I use the first/last prong pressed against the edge of the leather, so as to make sure awl the stitching is evenly spaced. I have an extra hole in the principal piece of leather, so as to have the edge of the smaller piece sitting flat against it.

[RF52]

Sounds good

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[pfrsantos]

Sounds good

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[pfrsantos]

Now begins the noisier/harder part: hammering through the leather. Once you've pierced throught it, use a ruler to free the fork from the leather. If you pull on it, you may stretch it out of shape.

Once you've made the first 7 holes (if you read the previous post, you know why there's 7 and not , proceed to make another set. Here's a tip: use the previous last 3 holes as a guide, to keep the line straight. Make the aditional 5 holes, remove fork. Repeat until you come to the end of the line. Adjust the fork for making just the needed last set.

You now have the smaller piece ready to be stitched to the larger one. To ensure the holes align perfectly, use the smaller piece as a guide for making the holes in the larger piece. Gently pass the fork's prongs through the holes of the smaller piece and, after making sure it's well aligned, hammer away. Use the same "3 holes guide" trick and punch the holes in the larger piece.

Attention: the two pieces are going to be stitched together with their rough side against each other. To use the little one as a guide, place the smooth sides together.

This time, add an extra hole after each end.

[pfrsantos]

After the last step, get the rest of the materials you'll be using: waxed thread, two blunt needles (I use a saddle stitch, you need two needles for that), scissors, lighter. The thread is the least expensive of these materials, so don't be affraid to use more than you need. Nothing worse than, after stitching 3 or 4 feet of a project, you find you needed another 2 inches of thread. Don't ask me how I know this...

 

Ok, take a length of string approximately 5 times the length of the stitching you're about to do. Get one needle in either end, with some thread hanging away, and pass the thread through the hole where you're starting you stitching, leaving half of the thread on either side.

I awlways start on the 2nd or 3rd hole, stitch to the end and stitch back over the holes until y«the end, where I, again, stitch back over a couple of holes. This ensures a stronger stitching and a better looking one, too. See the second pic? That's why you have the extra hole in the larger piece, to have the smaller one's edge flat against it.

While you proceed, try to awlways do the same sequence: I start from the inside, taking care when passing the outside needle in, not to "stab" the thread awlready coming out of the hole. After you cross the thread, pull gently on both ends to make the stitching snug. Not too much, or you can deform the leather (especially thin pieces, ike the ones here).

[pfrsantos]

Getting to the final holes, do as in the beginning and pass the thread back again, over the last couple of holes. Cut the thread on the inside, leaving about 5mm. Waxed thread burns very easily, which is good for this last part. Use the lighter and melt that little piece of thread. When it's getting close to the stitching, press it with the side of the lighter. It'll create a flat head that will prevent the thread from escaping through the hole. Pass the other thread through the next hole, repeat.

I like to have these melted ends on the inside/bottom of the work. It's where they're least noticeable.

And the first part is done. This flap is for holding a spare notebook or to keep some pages/notes taken from the notebook being used. Or anything else you fancy.

 

More on this in a few days, if awl goes well.

Thanks for watching!

 

[RF52]

Very nice

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[kottskrapa]

Nice work!

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[pfrsantos]

Second half, here we go!

Since this piece was awlmost asquare, I made a note on the inside, so as to position it correctly. I usually do this. The notes will be on the inside and not seen, so that's ok.

Again, use the compass, with the same width, to mark the line for the holes to be punched.

Read the previous posts for what comes next, yadda yadda yadda...

 

[pfrsantos]

Ready for the final stitching. The first stitches go from the 3rd hole to 1st and then onwards until the end. Take your time, be patient, check the consistency of the stitching.

[pfrsantos]

At the end, that's the little piece of thread I leave to be melted.

And it's done!

Back and inside view. The stitching makes it easy to know what's the top and bottom.

The two inside flaps allow for two different types of pocketbook: side opening or top opening (like the one showed). The "unused" flap can carry an extra pocket book or some pages, notes, cards, etc.