Dwight Report post Posted December 20, 2023 Been messing with a Bible cover for a friend . . . have come to the conclusion it is not a holster or a belt . . . or a piece of Roman soldier's armor . . . them I can do. This has me stumped . . . need someone to kick me in the right direction. Thanks . . . may God bless. Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tiron Report post Posted December 20, 2023 Does it have to be zipped? I think it will be hard to find a ready made size as the book comes in different sizes, maybe a slip on cover would be easier to create a pattern by yourself. There are some nice slip on covers and a simple search on YouTube shows tutorials from Don Gonzales and this nice lady, both with tips how to make it work for any size. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuck123wapati Report post Posted December 20, 2023 12 hours ago, Dwight said: Been messing with a Bible cover for a friend . . . have come to the conclusion it is not a holster or a belt . . . or a piece of Roman soldier's armor . . . them I can do. This has me stumped . . . need someone to kick me in the right direction. Thanks . . . may God bless. Dwight i am pretty sure there is a pattern in one of AL stohlmans books i will look. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted December 22, 2023 On 12/20/2023 at 8:33 AM, chuck123wapati said: i am pretty sure there is a pattern in one of AL stohlmans books i will look. Leather Cases, Vol 2 has great info on making YOUR OWN pattern - very helpful. Or, Amazon has a bazzillion Bible covers for not much money. As for whether to zipper or not, YES! A CLOSED case is mandatory if your Bible is dropped, or hit, or slides off a car seat. So, YES! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo Report post Posted January 5 On 12/19/2023 at 8:28 PM, Dwight said: Been messing with a Bible cover for a friend . . . have come to the conclusion it is not a holster or a belt . . . or a piece of Roman soldier's armor . . . them I can do. This has me stumped . . . need someone to kick me in the right direction. Thanks . . . may God bless. Dwight Dwight o do not have a templet but I have made a few couple of things to know if you are going to round the corners Then you must increase the the size of the jacket or the book will bind up iifbyou are using a zipper Make the zipper 2” longer on each end Total of 4” sew the zipper onto the gusset end the stitching 1” from the end this is so the Bible can open lay flat, with out binding the teeth on the zippee tuck the excess into the bible or you can do away with the zipper all together and use a strap like the Monks used way back in the day I personally love that look more than a zipper When my wife’s gets home I will get a few close ups of the zipper for you you can do this, you do not need a pattern just a square and a pencil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo Report post Posted January 5 This is my Bible cover Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrdunn Report post Posted January 5 (edited) On 12/22/2023 at 5:00 AM, JLSleather said: Leather Cases, Vol 2 has great info on making YOUR OWN pattern - very helpful. Or, Amazon has a bazzillion Bible covers for not much money. As for whether to zipper or not, YES! A CLOSED case is mandatory if your Bible is dropped, or hit, or slides off a car seat. So, YES! Sorry, I quoted the wrong post. - - Leather Cases, Vol 2 has great info on making YOUR OWN pattern - very helpful. Or, Amazon has a bazzillion Bible covers for not much money. As for whether to zipper or not, YES! A CLOSED case is mandatory if your Bible is dropped, or hit, or slides off a car seat. So, YES! @Dwight. +1 on the Al Stohlman Leather Cases Vol. 2. I've made three with a zipper and hope I don't ever make another. Me and gussets + zippers are not friends. I myself carry an "off the shelf" one. I've made one for the granddaughter, my wife and daughter-in-law. I don't like myself as much as I like them. I should probably talk to a therapist about that. As usual, JM2C. Jim PS. I made one for my youngest granddaughter that was more of a "sleeve" with handles. Lots easier. Edited January 5 by jrdunn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo Report post Posted January 5 On the corners If. your bible is 6” x 8” With a 1 1/2” thick Bible 6 +6+ 1/1/2. 13 1/2 plus 3. =16 1/ 2 8” plus 3”=11” 16”1/2”. X 11” is your leather cut add 1 1/2” to each side. And 1/2” to the width. zipoer is 4” longer 6+6+8+4=24” zipper buy a 30” and cut the end when complete liner? Tip on cutting the thin silky fabric use yellow shipping tape along the stitch line then cut along the tape fold the fabric in on itself leave the tape inside The tape will stop that stuff from bunching up under the foot of your machine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo Report post Posted January 5 Gusset if the Bible is 1 1/2” thick add 1/2” then add another 1/2” for 2 stitch lines 2 1/2” wide gusset. Add another 1/2” for zipper stitch line 3”. Cut in half. And sew the zipper. Leave the zipper open on both ends so you have 2 separate pieces. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo Report post Posted January 7 I assume you have what you need no replys if not, give me dimensions of Bible And I will send you a complete paper pattern Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted January 7 3 hours ago, Frodo said: I assume you have what you need no replys if not, give me dimensions of Bible And I will send you a complete paper pattern Thanks, Frodo . . . but the other day I found a video . . . he shows how he does zippers on notebooks . . . all I gotta do is scale it up for the Bible. He also shows me where I went wrong on my first try . . . and how to beat it. It's actually a very informative video . . . Again . . . thanks, may God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo Report post Posted January 7 7 hours ago, Dwight said: Thanks, Frodo . . . but the other day I found a video . . . he shows how he does zippers on notebooks . . . all I gotta do is scale it up for the Bible. He also shows me where I went wrong on my first try . . . and how to beat it. It's actually a very informative video . . . Again . . . thanks, may God bless, Dwight Interesting video My take on it is I 100% disagree with his method of installing the ribbon on card pockets I did learn from his zipper portion of the video Thank you for sharing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted January 7 6 minutes ago, Frodo said: Interesting video My take on it is I 100% disagree with his method of installing the ribbon on card pockets I did learn from his zipper portion of the video Thank you for sharing I was up ahead of the idea in that I made a solid wood block the size of Dave's Bible . . . I tried hand sewing it though . . . with seriously bad results . . . and then I found his idea . . . will use it next . . . May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo Report post Posted January 7 3 hours ago, Dwight said: I was up ahead of the idea in that I made a solid wood block the size of Dave's Bible . . . I tried hand sewing it though . . . with seriously bad results . . . and then I found his idea . . . will use it next . . . May God bless, Dwight I do not not use. Wood block I just use a tape measure. Next one I make I am going to try a block Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrdunn Report post Posted January 7 (edited) @Dwight, Thanks for posting Aaron's video. I watched it and learned a lot. How are you planning on implementing his method of zipper installation into your Bible cover? I assume that it has a wrap around zipper in a gusset. I only ask because I would like a less nerve racking and less dreaded method of zippered gusset installation. I have completed reasonably good looking covers with Al Stohlman's method but cannot say that I'm proficient or even comfortable with it. If I could get at least semi-comfortable with that, I think I would enjoy making covers. I included a pic of my first zippered cover. Edited January 7 by jrdunn Duplicate picture Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted January 7 JR . . . from making holsters . . . I learned early on that a pattern of what you want to put in leather . . . makes making the leather a whole BIG bunch easier. I have a wooden "model" of David's Bible . . . with the added amount it will take to allow the Bible to rest in there without the edges becoming cramped or bent. A lady ruined my personal Bible when she made one for me and it was too small. Ignorantly at the time . . . I tried to use it anyway . . . ruined the spline. Long story short . . . I'm not familiar with Stohlmans book cover stuff . . . other things yes . . . that . . . no. But this fellow here on Leather Makers Supply . . . makes it so it is almost impossible to screw it up. Once you have the zipper on the interior (pulled around your pattern and "taped" together . . . you can open and close the zipper . . . telling you how hard or easy you will have it later. You then just add the outside cover . . . unzip it . . . turn it so the outside is facing up . . . start on one end of the open end of the zipper . . . sew up around it . . . come back on the other side of the zipper . . . do some lock stitches . . . cut the thread . . . you are done. I'm also going to add a couple card pockets . . . and a small triangular pocket like the fellow did on his sample he showed us. Looks like with the covid doing it's thing against me . . . probably be at least a few days . . . but I'll pop up pictures as I go . . . unless I forget. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted January 8 for a cheap, oily "notebook" which appears designed to sell "templates", that method might work. FOr a Bible, which is likely 1 1/4" or MORE thickness, you're going to want a leather ZIPPER GUSSET. Somebody probably does make zipper tape wide enough, but I wouldnt' expect any longevity out of it. AND, though it may seem obvious, always use a brass zipper - not that nylon stuff. These done as Stohlman shows in that book. Looks like a lot of words and drawings, but once ya lay it out in front of ya it aint that difficult Sew or lace as desired (triple loop lace used on the bottom two). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KYCat Report post Posted January 8 11 hours ago, JLSleather said: for a cheap, oily "notebook" which appears designed to sell "templates", that method might work. FOr a Bible, which is likely 1 1/4" or MORE thickness, you're going to want a leather ZIPPER GUSSET. Somebody probably does make zipper tape wide enough, but I wouldnt' expect any longevity out of it. AND, though it may seem obvious, always use a brass zipper - not that nylon stuff. These done as Stohlman shows in that book. Looks like a lot of words and drawings, but once ya lay it out in front of ya it aint that difficult Sew or lace as desired (triple loop lace used on the bottom two). Love your work! Top notch!! Where do you source your zippers? And what size do you most commonly use for a Bible? Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted January 8 10 hours ago, KYCat said: Where do you source your zippers? And what size do you most commonly use for a Bible? You can get zipper tape lotsa places. I have bot it at S-T Leather (out of st louis), tandy, hobby lobby, ... you get the idea. Most places will carry it in black and brown material. You'll need zipper pulls and stops as well - the pulls you might find individually, the stops are likely a pack of 5 or 10. I like the #5 brass ... is there another kind Two binders shown were for 3" ring binders - making them about 3.5" thick. The other was more of a "portfolio" type thing, requested by a gal for her father who was retired from teh Coast Guard. Just pockets for papers and a spot for business cards - his in the pocket and others he receives behind the pocket. Obviously, this type is more suited to a Bible cover. MY Bible, which is as yet uncovered (think cobler's kid no shoes) is like 9 1/4" x 6 3/" x 1 5/8" if I squish it together... maybe close to 1 1/2" thick. I keep saying "one day" I'll get round to making a cover I like OH YEAH -- the lining "innards" of both of these were done with kidskin from S-T Leather. Used to be product #L3777, not sure if it still is. You can get this in nearly the same look at a couple other places, but you'll pay considerably more. Same stuff I use to make wallet 'innards", as it's thin but still strong and looks very nice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted January 9 23 hours ago, JLSleather said: for a cheap, oily "notebook" which appears designed to sell "templates", that method might work. FOr a Bible, which is likely 1 1/4" or MORE thickness, you're going to want a leather ZIPPER GUSSET. Somebody probably does make zipper tape wide enough, but I wouldnt' expect any longevity out of it. AND, though it may seem obvious, always use a brass zipper - not that nylon stuff. These done as Stohlman shows in that book. Looks like a lot of words and drawings, but once ya lay it out in front of ya it aint that difficult Sew or lace as desired (triple loop lace used on the bottom two). Those are absolutely beautiful . . . and far beyond my capabilities . . . I'm using strips of the same leather used inside for the panels . . . using that as strips for my zipper. Yeah . . . brass zippers for sure . . . I plan on David's Bible cover most likely outliving his Bible. We do dumb things to books as people . . . and finally wind up wrecking them. But the other thing in that picture . . . the laced one !!! Never . . . and I mean never. I did a wallet one time . . . laced it around . . . decided then and there that if I ever . . . EVER . . . got that thing done . . . I would never . . . ever . . . do any more. I've kept that promise too. Got several pieces of that stuff hanging in the shop . . . I look at it and laugh at it from time to time. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KYCat Report post Posted January 9 13 hours ago, JLSleather said: You can get zipper tape lotsa places. I have bot it at S-T Leather (out of st louis), tandy, hobby lobby, ... you get the idea. Most places will carry it in black and brown material. You'll need zipper pulls and stops as well - the pulls you might find individually, the stops are likely a pack of 5 or 10. I like the #5 brass ... is there another kind Two binders shown were for 3" ring binders - making them about 3.5" thick. The other was more of a "portfolio" type thing, requested by a gal for her father who was retired from teh Coast Guard. Just pockets for papers and a spot for business cards - his in the pocket and others he receives behind the pocket. Obviously, this type is more suited to a Bible cover. MY Bible, which is as yet uncovered (think cobler's kid no shoes) is like 9 1/4" x 6 3/" x 1 5/8" if I squish it together... maybe close to 1 1/2" thick. I keep saying "one day" I'll get round to making a cover I like OH YEAH -- the lining "innards" of both of these were done with kidskin from S-T Leather. Used to be product #L3777, not sure if it still is. You can get this in nearly the same look at a couple other places, but you'll pay considerably more. Same stuff I use to make wallet 'innards", as it's thin but still strong and looks very nice. Thanks so much for the response and the inspiration-- my Bible is all broken down in the spine. Was thinking of trying to reglue and make a permanent cover for it. Your info will help tremendously! I wholeheartedly agree with Dwight, I made a checkbook cover for my wife and didn't think I'd EVER get all the way around it!!! It was really good for my sanctification! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted January 12 On 1/9/2024 at 7:23 AM, KYCat said: I made a checkbook cover for my wife and didn't think I'd EVER get all the way around it!!! It was really good for my sanctification! Lacing is one of those "sitting on a comfy chair with the feet up" applications, when time allows me to do it that way. It's about the ONLY time I ever have a tv on These were triple-loop laced, which is even more time consuming than the double-loop generally used on wallets. LOTS of lace, too. Dont even remember the linear feet of lace, but its a good bit. Figger the distance to be laced would be like around 80" depending on teh details of the design (compared to a wallet, which is about 25"). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wrenb Report post Posted July 29 I'm trying to make a leather Bible cover, zippered , cloth lined. I'm using an old, non-leather Bible cover as a template. If I sew the zippered gusset on to the back and front cover, what is a good way to finish off the edge? Just burnishing the edge is what I'm thinking will work the best. Any other ideas? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites