My first attempt - feedback appreciated

[filipblaauw]

I'm just started with leatherworking, and would love some feedback on my first (finished) project. As you might see, it is based on a template I purchased online at Makesupply. I think I need many more hours behind my bench before I can start designing myself.

Here are what I think I can improve and hopefully do better next time:

• Leather type. This goat leather (1 - 1,2 mm) was too thin for this notebook cover. It was difficult to bevel, and I felt I needed to line the inside with the other leather type I currently have, some calf tooling leather.
• Lining: I don't think I used correct leather for lining. It's all wrinkled on the inside of the wrap, but I lined it to make it a bit more rigid.
• I made a complete fool of myself punching the stitching holes on the bottom left side. The tool slipped before I hammered it down.
• Use same thread everywhere. I started with white linen on the little pocket, but thought it would look too thin on the main parts. The outside is 0.8 Tiger thread.
• Backside of the stitches looks kind of strange, I think. I'm fairly pleased with the stitching on the wallets outside, but on the inside it seems the thread open up the holes and the stitches does not have the nice angle to them. I have been studying several videos, both from Nigel Armitage and Ian Atkinson, but I would really appreciate some good advice here. I stitched this with an overhand knot, and where the holes are pointing down towards me, I put the last needle down through the loop, if I explain this correctly.
• Edges could be smoother if I could get some cleaner cuts. I may be I have a blunt tool, but the goat skin tended to scrape against the beveller. You have any tips for this?

For my next attempt, I have got hold on some 1.8mm veg tan leather, and I think I have to do this project once more, hopefully with some guidance from you all.

[cjartist]

Looks pretty good to me.  Your stitching looks good for a first try.  Much better than my first stitching looked.

You mentioned the different colors of thread.  That doesn't bother me as much as the fact the the angle is opposite for the white stitches from the brown.

[CaptQuirk]

That looks really good, very nice stitching.Maybe move the inside pocket away from the spine? To me, and just my opinion, it might be easier to access away from the spine/book.

[filipblaauw]

Thank you for commenting. About the angle of the stitches, I agree. They should be the same angle. I will try to figure out how to stitch so I can achieve this next time.

The material is soft enough that I don't have problem reaching the small pocket, but I agree with you, CaptQuirk. Also, I would like to use more of the space on the left inside, maybe make two horizontal slots instead of one vertical.

Appreciate the kind words, thank you again

[YinTx]

Your stitching does look nice and even, however they are upside down.  By that I mean the thread is coming out of the wrong side of the hole - the angle of the stitch is against the angle of the hole instead of following it.  Try reversing your needle pattern and you will get much better results, I think you will like it.

YinTx

[filipblaauw]

Thanks YinTx, I will try the method without knots next time. I'm struggling a bit with that the holes from the chisel tool seems a bit too wide. They are not always narrow diamond shaped, so the stitches become a little bit flat.

But I noticed that with fresh holes, it looks better than on my little practice patch. I have redone the stitches on that again and again, and the holes has get widened a bit. Hopefully a pricking iron and awl will give me neater holes!

[JLSleather]

Looks like you got some advice already   To further your practice, feel free to download some free patterns with the link below (sew all ya want -- more coming!)

 

[AcapulcoArt]

That is encouraging to a beginner like me ! Congratulations!

[Northmount]

About the wrinkles in the lining.  The outside radius is larger than the inside radius, so the thinner inside leather has to wrinkle when it is folded.  Not the leather's fault.  You can form the fold while gluing the lining in place.  Don't fold it too tight while gluing as the lining needs to stretch some when you open it up flat.  I'd fold it about half way, so it has to give some when open flat, and softer wrinkles when folded closed.  This will help minimize the inside wrinkles.

Tom

[bikermutt07]

I think it looks great. You can also make vertical lines up the inside of the spine to create some folding room. Just use a straight edge and a bone folder/creaser.