The Felsch Family: Composition notebook cover

Shane put in an order for a leather composition notebook, with a spot for index cards and a spot for business cards. Together we came up with a design, and he wanted to see pictures of the process.
So, first things first. I started started with gathering all my supplies. Here I have leather, of course, a block of scrap wood (the softer the better; this is a pine 2 x 4), a clear ruler, a pen, scizzors, my trusty Victorinox SwissTool (like a leatherman, only better) with a leather awl on it, the notebook to be covered, artificial sinew (waxed thread), leather sewing needles, a box cutter razor blade, hole punches, etc.

Then I took measurements and figured out a pattern,

drew it out on the wrong side of the leather (suede side, in this case),

and cut it out.

After I rounded the corners ever so slightly, I chatted with Shane for a few minutes on the computer about more details. While my attention was elsewhere,

McKay did this.

So I cut out a new piece.

My least favorite step is poking all the holes. I don't know why I don't like it, but I don't. It's a lot better with my SwissTool than it has been with any other awls I've used, though.

Then I measured out the designated spots for the index card and business card slits, marked it on the leather,

punched holes at each end so the slits can't possibly "run",

and cut the slits. (It's probably time to apologize for the poor quality photos. The lighting wasn't very good inside the house, and I wasn't about to do all this outside.)

Abram's least favorite part of leather working is the stitching. I kind of like it. And kind of don't. I don't know how to explain it. It's satisfying and enjoyable, yet it takes waaaay too long. So I love it at first, then hate it by the end, I guess.

When I get to the end of the line, I start stitching all the way back.

Then I tie a good knot, trim the threads and melt them so the knot can't come undone. Abram had to teach me how to tie a good knot, because my stuff used to come undone. Aaack! That's the last thing you want to have happen when you've put so much time into a project.