An impossible leather book task!

[TinkerTailor]

 

5 minutes ago, leatherwytch said:

I believe that lighter leather, like garment may be easier to work with. I have also been thinking about trying this.

 

Randi-Lee

If you want it to wet mold and stay without glue, like in the video, it needs to be veg tan. Most garment leathers are chrome tanned. For chrome tanned, there is a technique of using glue, and thin pins. You slop the slow drying glue all over the back, form and pin it into position, putting pins in easy to hide positions, and then leave it till the glue dries. Remove pins after. Sometimes a few hidden well placed tacks can be hidden under folds.

[leatherwytch]

I just may try it both ways. Only with the lighter leather I would use glue.

 

 

Randi-Lee

[LumpenDoodle2]

Thin veg tan goatskin and papier mache does the job grand.   The goatskin molds well with a bone folder, and certainly for the less complicated book covers, the water from the pva glue keeps the leather moist enough for molding.    

I've never done a big 3D design yet, maybe it's time......

let us know how you get on.

[bikermutt07]

There are some cool techniques mentioned here. I don't have any experience with this but it seems a vacuum box could come in real handy. Just make your 3d pattern with small hole all over it, apply wet leather and throw it in the box. You could repeat it over and over.

Just a thought.

[TomG]

I saw some of these at the Ren-Fair here in Atlanta. The leather felt like upholstery leather.  Soft, and a bit pliable.  I assumed it was glued together.
I actually introduced myself and tried to discuss the technique (I have no shame ), but I really am not interested in make these for sale. Too many other irons in the fire.

But the gal at the booth said she was just an employee and had no idea of how they were made. 

But I do like the white leather glue idea.  It "feels" right.  It stays flexible, yet will hold the leather together.  I'd use the plastic clips they sell to hold cloth together for sewing the seams.  Expensive, but nice.  About #0 for a box of 50, but with a coupon from JoAnns it drops it can drop in half...