So I'm getting started in leather working, and made my first project the other week. A field notes case from veg tan that came out pretty decent for the first go. Looking forward to trying another I modified the plans to include loops on the ends of the cover so that when closed a pen could be inserted through them keeping it closed. I also created my own design for accent pieces that I added to the cover. I was getting excited with my progress having it mostly built, but not stitched, and decided to dye it while it was still a flat piece.
It seemed that a couple of coats of the straight dye made a nice color, but dried out the leather some. I was expecting that, as I read to treat the leather after to put oils back into it. I treated it with Neatsfoot oil liberally, but the leather remained rather rigged and curled a bit at the ends. After trying another heavy treatment the neatsfoot it felt a bit better, but still curled and rigid. I decided to use the barge cement to glue it up and sew it thinking that it would work it self out and the gluing/sewing would flatten it back out anyway.
I've had very good luck with the barge cement, letting dry to a tack and then putting it together and tapping it down (as seen on youtube;)). But this time it seemed like it wasn't bonding well. I placed it on a book so the loops could hang off, and then placed my block of marble over it for the night hoping it would all set up. After taking off the weight today, no luck. The leather is still hard, flatter but not right. The glue didn't really hold at all. The tabs where not pressed all, but are cracking. I don't mind a loss of the project at this early stage of my experience in leather working. However, I feel I'm missing the learning experience because I don't really know where I went wrong.
I had never died anything prior, so I'm guessing that was the issue. Any thoughts on what the problem is, and what I should do different next time? Should I try salvaging this project somehow? Cut the loops off and just stitch it?