5x8 Organizer

[hidepounder]

Here is a project just completed for a customer. It's a standard 5-1/2"x 8-1/2" organizer with a 1" three ring binder and a tab closure. It's constructed with 7/8 oz Herman Oak for the front and back, 2 oz for the interior and a piece of 7/8 was split down to 5/6 oz for the binder. Stiffeners were installed under the lining to give it more rigidity.

After the tooling was completed and the background was dyed, it was oiled, antiqued and sealed with Neat-Lac. The interior is finger carved and sealed with Tan-Kote.

I used a French edger to "let in" the tab to the back leaf so that it is sandwiched between the back and the lining and does not create an annnoying bump on the back of the organizer. I also buried the snap inside the tab for a little cleaner look.

Everything was glued and then sewn with Rice #99 Nylon thread, top & bottom, at about 9 stitches per inch.

I appreciate all critiques and comments!

[Rawhide]

I think that's an outstanding job!! I don't know how you're going to find much in the way of critiques though! Did you hand sew or machine sew? The only difference I think I would have tried, would have been a magnetic closure.

Marlon

[Go2Tex]

Nothing in the way of critiques. It's beautiful. Just have a construction question. What is the advantage of using the binder piece? I've tried it both ways but can't decide which is better. Seems I recall the binder just made is easier and used smaller pieces of leather.

I sure do like the look of yours! And the knife cuts on the lining is definitely taking it to the next level.

[hidepounder]

Nothing in the way of critiques. It's beautiful. Just have a construction question. What is the advantage of using the binder piece? I've tried it both ways but can't decide which is better. Seems I recall the binder just made is easier and used smaller pieces of leather.

I sure do like the look of yours! And the knife cuts on the lining is definitely taking it to the next level.

That's exactly right! It's a purely a matter of personal preference. I like to construct it this way because I can get more out of my leather, I don't have to groove and remove leather at the folds, it easier to handle the three pieces when tooling and I like the look of the binding sewn to the front and back. I think it dresses it up. Where it really makes a difference is when your doing a letter size or legal size folder...that's a big piece of leather to have to come up with and manage.

[hidepounder]

I think that's an outstanding job!! I don't know how you're going to find much in the way of critiques though! Did you hand sew or machine sew? The only difference I think I would have tried, would have been a magnetic closure.

Marlon

Thanks Marlon! That was sewn on an Artisan 797. The snap was used at the customers request.......

[8thsinner]

Thats an awesome job, Love the pattern, finish, everything.

The only thing I can see for critique is the edge dying on the flap looks off centre or something. Though it also looks like that might be intentional as part of a shading theme...

And there might have been a spot of dye on the outer spine near the top. picture 3

[hidepounder]

Thats an awesome job, Love the pattern, finish, everything.

The only thing I can see for critique is the edge dying on the flap looks off centre or something. Though it also looks like that might be intentional as part of a shading theme...

And there might have been a spot of dye on the outer spine near the top. picture 3

Thanks 8thsinner! You're right about the flap. It looks fine in real life...for some reason it does look crooked on the photo...I had to go get it out to be sure. I saw the spot that you noticed, last night, when I was posting the pic's.......it wiped off (thank goodness!) I appreciate your comments.

[CitizenKate]

Thanks for sharing yet another feast for the eyes, Bob. All that knife work in the lining is just crazy. (In a good way, of course!) What weight leather are you using for the liner? Do you allow more weight for the knife work?

Kate

[Schno]

Absolutely gorgeous! I'm finding myself in awe of well applied swivel knife cuts. I really have to start practicing that technique! Where do you get inspiration for the knife cut designs?

[hidepounder]

Thanks for sharing yet another feast for the eyes, Bob. All that knife work in the lining is just crazy. (In a good way, of course!) What weight leather are you using for the liner? Do you allow more weight for the knife work?

Kate

Thanks Kate! That liner is just over 2 ozs. When finger cutting on that weight material, the angle of your knife blade must be greatly reduced in order to spead the cut apart and not cut through...similar to what a really dull knife does, but who can stand to us one! I got this blade from Peter Main, a few years ago, which he developed for just this use. It alows me to decorate without added a lot of bulk or weight.