3rd project useing a Sheridan Pattern

[Dan Hammons]

Hi All,

Ths is my 3rd project useing a Sheridan Pattern.I've did a couple of checkbooks and now this Journal. Its a bit differant to do but it's also good to learn something new. Any helpful hints are welcome !

[Guest]

Very nicely done Dan,

I like it a lot, the grid on the spine area is very classy looking. Your Sheridan floral work is excellent.

Dave Theobald

Edited April 19, 2007 by David

[pete]

really nice work! How did you finish it and how did you make the hash marks? When I try I don't get a clean line where they cross. Do you do all the rows in one directon and then make cuts in-between to cross them?

[Dan Hammons]

Hi Pete,

I first dyed the background with Fiebing's Mahogany. When dyeing the background I used a Red Sable #6 round for the larger areas then a #1 round to get into the smaller places and remember that your Antigue will fill in the very small places. I don't risk getting the dye on my pattern. Next I applied a light coat of neat-lac and another light coat about 1/2 hr later and let it dry . Next I applied Fiebing's Tan Antique Paste over the entire project and cleaned the highplaces off with clean sheep wool and let it dry . The next day I applied Antique again with clean wool a small amount at a time and taking it as far as it will go and just keep rubbing as it gets tacky . Basicly you clean the highpots and as the antique gets gummy it stays in your pear shading. This is when you decide how much you want to leave or take off. I then buffed it good and let it dry before I applied one more thin coat of neat-lac.

I cut the checkerng on the spine with the leather on the dry side of dry with a 3/8 straight ceramic blade using a ruler as a guide. After the 1st cut I used a saddlers compass to mark the next line on both sides and and cut all the lines going one way then repeated the same on the other side. I then just lightly ran a deer antler over it to smooth it out but cutting the checkering on the dry side seems to work best for me.

One more thing I thought I'd mention is the lacing was done with 1/8 Kangaroo through holes punched with a 3/32 four hole angled punch. This keeps your lace close together with not much leather showing between the next. On the corners I like to run the lace twice through the hole before and after the corner and three times in the corner.

I hope this helps, Dan

Edited April 19, 2007 by Dan Hammons

[Johanna]

The carving is beautiful! One suggestion for lacing, though- beat it. Beat it with the butt end of your mallet or a smooth cobbler's hammer, on the marble, being careful to to break the lace. Then take an edge slocker and roll it along the sides a little. It will smooth out the lumps and bumps. You are right about using small holes/larger lace for a better effect, too. Good advice for corners, too- just make sure they all match (judges take off when they don't!)

Very nice, Dan, thanks for sharing!

Johanna