Composition Notebook Cover

[Colt W Knight]

A friend from high school recently contacted me and asked if I could make a leather cover for his composition notebooks that incorporated the pipe fitters union symbol and some basket weave. I agreed because I know him, but I don't normally do basket weave or such small symbol tooling because I am not that great at it. Anyway, I like the way it came out. Cover is 8 ounce veg tan, interior lining is some really nice gray chap leather I had left over, and the pockets are 3/4 ounce veg tan. I dyed it with British Tan, antiqued with Fiebings black antique paste, and colors are  brushed Angelus. I used mop n glo for the resist and clear coat, and the leather was thoroughly washed with saddle soap during the casing process. I really like cleaning with saddle soap during casing because it gets rid of all those nasty oils and grime left over from tanning and handling, plus it conditions the leather. That way I don't have to worry about oiling it after I get done tooling and dying.

 

 

 

 

[cjartist]

Looks great.  I can tell you put a lot of time into this.  

 

You didn't ask for a critique, so forgive me for pointing this out ... I would do a second coat of paint on those pipes.  It may help smooth out the brush marks.

[garypl]

Nice job - I'm certain your friend will be very pleased with it!  Did you cut the front and back borders with a swivel knife or did you use a groover?

[Colt W Knight]

This one is just a groover. I normally cut and bevel the borders, but I am trying something new. 

I also just noticed the edges haven't been burnished yet in these photos. I did burnish them before I sent it out.