... Homemade Leather Journal Sleeve ...

[TMLee]

Decided to try out the leather tools I bought some months ago.

 

Tried making a kind of a sleeve that fits the journal size that I handcraft

 

Cut out the leather and punched the holes with leather pronged awls.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/001.jpg

 

I was using a 3mm sized pricking iron (interval between each prong is 3mm)

(I think its too small, i need a 4mm and a 5mm )

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/002.jpg

 

 

I decided on a sleeve that can be flattened when empty.

So it wont occupy space.

or can be placed under the journal when writing.

or rolled up and put into a pocket.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/003.jpg

 

 

 

To be flattened, the corners are open (unstitched)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/006.jpg

 

 

Used my tabletop stitching pony. (very useful, frees up your hands to concentrate on stitching)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/008.jpg

 

 

I cant get my stitches straight ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/011.jpg

 

 

so I decided to create a groove on the unstitched side to seat the stitches ...

Disaster !!!

Cut too much ... ! Cut thru the leather ..

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/020.jpg

 

 

 

Back to the drawing board ...

Edited January 1, 2015 by TMLee

[TMLee]

Round 2 ...

 

 

 

 

I decided to use a thinner thread.

The first one was too thick for the 3mm interval.

Here I am using polyester / nylon filament

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/013.jpg

 

But I still cant get the stitches straight

 

 

Halfway thru , I altered the way I pulled the stitches taut,

I remembered a YouTube clip long ago demonstrating how to do a saddle stitch.

So I tried that

 

In that clip, the two threads were pulled at the same time.

Like this

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/015.jpg

 

 

And after employing this technique , the stitches looked a lot straighter ...

Here you can notice the bottom half not as straight as the upper half

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/023.jpg

 

It worked , but I don't understand why.

 

So I would appreciate if someone can explain why pulling the threads in opposite directions at the same time , produces a nicer effect than when I pulled one thread at a time.

 

 

Here is the other side stitched from start to finish with that proper technique ...

The stitches look straighter

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/024.jpg

 

 

 

The sleeve fully stitched ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/026.jpg

 

 

Trying out for size

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/038.jpg

 

 

With my latest recent silk covered journal ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/036.jpg

 

 

Top opening in view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/043.jpg

 

 

Bottom

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/041.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/042.jpg

 

 

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/040.jpg

 

 

Its tough to slide the journal into the sleeve.

I think maybe becos :

- the leather is soft and thin , not stiff enough like kip leather

- friction between journal and wrong side of leather sleeve

 

 

 

 

Next

I am probably going to :

1) apply edge finishing ;

2) mold it to shape so the journal can slide in easier.

 

Are there other ways to resolve this?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

 

 

[my63]

Hi T M Lee

I was wondering if you had ever done anything with your leather tools.

 

Stitching is an art here is a link for a grooving tool

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stitching-Edge-Groover-Leathercraft-Groove-Tool-Adjustable-Leather-For-Handwork-/141453293445?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20ef45f785

 

Pricking irons are designed to (bleep) the leather not punch all of the way through a diamond shaped awl is used to make the hole, If you make a groove with the tool it will help you to keep the iron in a straight line.

Once you start place the iron in to two of the marks made on the first strike it will take longer but they will stay in line.

 

In saddle stitch it is important to pass the needles consistently Nigel Armitages videos are fantastic this is the first

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ue3zBg0bdA

 

I hope the information helps I look forward to seeing what you do with it

 

And a happy new year to you

 

Michael

[mhguda]

No comment on the sleeve - I don't know enough to open my mouth there - but TM, I'd never get such a sleeve to slide your journals in. They are too beautiful to hide them from view!

[kbrede]

I don't do leather work but if I ever do, this will be a big help. I'm sort of thinking it might be better to have the smooth side of the leather on the inside, so there's less friction on your beautiful journal cover.

Thanks for posting this.

Kent

[DonLeone]

Disclaimer: I have no idea what I'm talking about

 

You slide it in/out from the top/bottom. It's a bit odd. I'd rather have it slide in from the sides. That way I can show the spine of the journal. The paper itself would be protected and you could see whatever is written on the spine, thus identifying whatever journal is in the sleeve. It would probably make it much easier to slide in and out.

 

Then again, your journal doesn't seem to have a spine that has stuff written on it.

[TMLee]

Hi T M Lee

I was wondering if you had ever done anything with your leather tools.

 

Stitching is an art here is a link for a grooving tool

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stitching-Edge-Groover-Leathercraft-Groove-Tool-Adjustable-Leather-For-Handwork-/141453293445?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20ef45f785

 

Pricking irons are designed to (bleep) the leather not punch all of the way through a diamond shaped awl is used to make the hole, If you make a groove with the tool it will help you to keep the iron in a straight line.

Once you start place the iron in to two of the marks made on the first strike it will take longer but they will stay in line.

 

In saddle stitch it is important to pass the needles consistently Nigel Armitages videos are fantastic this is the first

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ue3zBg0bdA

 

I hope the information helps I look forward to seeing what you do with it

 

And a happy new year to you

 

Michael

 

 

 

Thanks Michael ,

And a happy new year to you too :-)

 

Yes, I have that groover tool.

I tried on the leather but I think the leather is too thin and soft and so it didnt groove well.

 

It just occured to me , maybe I will try another method, using a steel straightedge to hold the soft leather firmly down instead of the metal guide extension that is part of the tool.

 

If my guess is right, it should work.

 

 

 

Thanks for the video clip.

Yes , its the one that I was referring to that I remembered from long ago.

 

 

Okay, pricking iron...

I dont understand, I thought you're supposed to punch all the way thru , just like in the video, so you get a diamond-shaped hole .

 

I punched all the way through.

 

Isnt that what you're supposed to do?

 

 

What I still don't understand is why when the two threads pulled simultaneously, yields so much better results than not doing so.

[TMLee]

No comment on the sleeve - I don't know enough to open my mouth there - but TM, I'd never get such a sleeve to slide your journals in. They are too beautiful to hide them from view!

 

 

Thanks

 

Its a useful sleeve to have when you want to just carry it like that, and chuck it in a bag.

 

In such a manner its very well protected, expecially when travelling and especially when the bag is quite packed with other stuff , exposed to lots of abrasion .

[TMLee]

I don't do leather work but if I ever do, this will be a big help. I'm sort of thinking it might be better to have the smooth side of the leather on the inside, so there's less friction on your beautiful journal cover.

Thanks for posting this.

Kent

 

 

Thanks Kent for the idea.

 

Yes that thought did occur to me.

 

But it felt uncomfy to the touch , you know, ... handling the wrong side of leather in your hands.

Feels strange.

[TMLee]

Disclaimer: I have no idea what I'm talking about

 

You slide it in/out from the top/bottom. It's a bit odd. I'd rather have it slide in from the sides. That way I can show the spine of the journal. The paper itself would be protected and you could see whatever is written on the spine, thus identifying whatever journal is in the sleeve. It would probably make it much easier to slide in and out.

 

Then again, your journal doesn't seem to have a spine that has stuff written on it.

 

 

 

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

 

I did thought about that but abandoned the idea for at least 2 reasons :

 

1) this design , minimises the exposure of the journal to only one side and its short side.

 

2) if the longer length is the opening, I imagined the slack may become a problem. The sleeve cant keep its shape .

 

 

 

Sliding in.

I imagine if there is an inner lining - that would be super.

 

I immediately think of cloth.

 

or maybe velvet.

 

 

but i dont know how to sew !

 

 

 

 

 

Another way is to treat the wrong side of the leather.

Making it smooth.

 

Wonder how ? (other than paring it smooth)

[inkypete]

Geez I admire people who can do this sort of stuff. I am completely and utterly useless when it comes to anything like this. Wouldn't even know where to start. All credit to you folk who have a crack and make beautiful things. Thankfully there are people like me who will keep you in business buying what I can't make.

[my63]

The leather you are using is a finished leather you will get better results with the Kip leather you mentioned.

Stitching . The reason for a diamond shaped hole is so it closes up after the needle has passed through if you punch all of the way through you will get a large hole that does not close up.

The look of the stitching is decided by the way the threads pass each other in the hole Nigel explains it better than I can.

But basically you always start from the same side as the first needle appears the second one goes either on top or below it depending on whether the top of the hole is towards you or away from you, then the second needle goes through the same hole either above or below the first thread.

Sorry if that sounds confusing it is really important to keep the threads in the same place all of the time or one of the stitches will drop like this. ------ and you will have to unpick all the stitches after it to correct it.

 

I would suggest that you avoid any lining with a texture like velvet as it will grip the note book why not use the same silk as the book. If you fold the top edge inwards the you can hand sew around the top.

 

At some point in 2015 I am going to make a journal so I may be asking for your advice.

Hope this helps

Michael

[my63]

Sorry it seems I invoked an emoticon normally saddle stitch will have an angle to it if the threads are in the correct place if a thread is in the wrong place it will appear flat without the angle like this ///-/// I hope no smiley faces appear this time.

[TMLee]

Geez I admire people who can do this sort of stuff. I am completely and utterly useless when it comes to anything like this. Wouldn't even know where to start. All credit to you folk who have a crack and make beautiful things. Thankfully there are people like me who will keep you in business buying what I can't make.

 

Thanks for your support

 

Without the support of you folks, I would have a problem justifying my journalcraft

[TMLee]

 

 

The leather you are using is a finished leather you will get better results with the Kip leather you mentioned.

Stitching

 

 

Ah I see

Silly me ...

 

 

 

 

I would suggest that you avoid any lining with a texture like velvet as it will grip the note book why not use the same silk as the book. If you fold the top edge inwards the you can hand sew around the top.

 

 

Perhaps,

to me, it sounds challenging ...

 

 

 

At some point in 2015 I am going to make a journal so I may be asking for your advice.

 

 

 

 

he he he

too tempting huh ?!

Ask away and

All the best

 

 

[TMLee]

Sorry it seems I invoked an emoticon normally saddle stitch will have an angle to it if the threads are in the correct place if a thread is in the wrong place it will appear flat without the angle like this ///-/// I hope no smiley faces appear this time.

 

 

Yes, I know,

if the stitching is correct , there will appear a consistent pattern.

an inclined step ladder ...

[TMLee]

I decided to make a kind of a finger grip ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/DSCF1680.jpg

 

 

Closeup

just 3 stitches

a pinching of that leather

at the bottom

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/DSCF1681.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/DSCF1686.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/DSCF1684.jpg

 

 

 

Standing on its head

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/LEATHER%20JOURNAL%20SLEEVE%20A6/DSCF1685.jpg

 

 

Its now a lot easier to extract the journal out from the sleeve ...

 

 

Maybe I should reduce this to just one stitch ...

So the journal can still sit properly in its mould.

Edited January 2, 2015 by TMLee

[my63]

I was wondering if you had considered other options I was thinking of something like a wrap around cover

[pen2paper]

I was wondering if you had considered other options I was thinking of something like a wrap around cover

with a cord and vintage button? (wrap, and tuck the button in the cord to hold)

[my63]

with a cord and vintage button? (wrap, and tuck the button in the cord to hold)

Are you looking over my shoulder

 

IMG_9238 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I did not have a suitable button

 

IMG_9245 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I think six stitches in each corner would be enough to hold everything together