I have had a few requests from pals to show how I do the Leather Journals.. well Here is the Tutortial!
Complete with template to download, and low quality photographs from my phone!
Supplies:
Paper Trimmer
Scissors
Imitation Sine (in leather department)
8x10 Leather remnant (in leather department)
Large Blunt needle (in knitting department)
bone folder (optional)
sewing awl or paper piercer
25 sheets of GP110
staz on ink
stamps
mechanical pencil
fine tip sharpie
Here we go!
Start by cutting your 8x10 leather in half. Now two 8x5 pieces. And cut your 8.5x11 cardstock sheets down to 7 x4 7/8 inches. I separate them into 5 pages each. (The template should print out this same size)
Now fold each page in half... I use the bone folder here for crisp edges. Also, Fold the template in half as well.
Now for fun times with sharp things. On your template, poke the wholes where the lines intersect... as shown in the picture. I do this on my carpeted floor, but you can do this on soft surface that you do not mind poking holes in... a thick piece of foam is great. But I would make sure it is a few inches in depth! Sometimes you slip and really punch a deep hole.
Fold on of your pieces of leather in half and mark the center inside. Place the template on top of the leather with the center set of holes lined up to the center. so it should look similar to what is pictured above, with more leather on one side that the other.
Mark ALL of the holes with a sharpie, checking as you go that they are leaving a mark, as the leather may not be extremely receptive to the marks.
Use your sewing Awl or paper piercer to punch the holes. You have enough leather and cardstock books to do this for two journals! I am only showing it once!
With the folded cardstock sheets group into books of five, lay them flat and put the template on top and mark only the center line of holes that lays on the fold with a pencil. Then punch those holes with your awl.
Turn over your Leaher and stamp with Staz on ink. On the right side of the journal front.
Cut approximately 40 inches of sine or thick thread of your choice. Tie a knot in one end and run the other end through the large eye blunt needle.
Start in the bottom left corner of the set of holes, and grab a book of folded cardstock and begin 'sewing' them to the leather!
When you reach the top you should be back to the outside of the leather and grab a second book and start on the second row of holes at the top of the journal!
My Daughter picked out the designs for this one!
When you reach the last book and the last hole, you will come out of the last hole at the top. I tie off the top and use much of the extra as a bookmark with beads or a charm at the end.
Or you can keep sewing in zig zags etc... if wanna be fancy pants.
