This is a build along video for the Field Notes Case template. If you wish to purchase the template:
Digital Templates
- Standard Letter Size (8.5″ x 11″) Template
- International – A4 Size (210mm x 297mm) Template
- ETSY – Standard Letter Size (8.5″ x 11″) Template
- ETSY – International – A4 Size (210mm x 297mm) Template
Acrylic Template
The digital templates are an instant download so you can get started right away. If you have already purchased the template thanks a bunch! You can continue below.
Looking to start selling your handcrafted leather goods and need an e-commerce platform? We recommend you start with what we use here at Makesupply… Shopify!
Need help with hand-stitching? Check out our saddle stitch tutorial.
Inventory of Tools
- North America/Canada – Standard Letter Size (8.5″ x 11″) Template
- 110-Lb Card Stock Paper
- No.2 X-ACTO Knife
- Wing Divider
- Cocobolo Dremel Burnisher
- C.S. Osborne Scratch Awl
- Tandy Pro-Line Diamond Stitching Chisels – 3mm / 4 Prong
- Tandy Pro-Line Diamond Stitching Chisels – 3mm / 2 Prong
- Tandy Stitching Needles
- Wood Slicker
- Edge beveler of unknown origins
- 15″ Cork Back Metal Ruler
- Royalwood Waxed Irish Linen Thread – 7-ply / White
- Elmers Pro-Bond Glue
- Various Grit Sandpaper (120 grit and 240 grit)
- Binder clips
- Rubber Mallet
- Block of Beeswax
- Fiebing’s Saddle Soap
- Cup of water
Leather Selection Suggestions
In this video we used 3-4oz. Hermann Oak natural vegetable tanned tooling leather sourced from Goliger Leather. If you are just looking to purchase a small amount of something similar for this project I suggest this product from Springfield Leather. It is the exact same weight as the leather in the video. If you are outside of the USA I’m not as privy on suppliers. However you could try one of these Madison Shoulders – 1.2mm/1.4mm from A & A Crack & Sons. They have an awesome selection of leathers available to ship worldwide.
For this Field Notes case I would suggest using leather in the 3/4 or even 4/5 oz range. You have a little more flexibility since it is a piece not meant to be in someones pocket all day like a wallet or card holder.
If you are not using a vegetable tanned leather to create this Field Notes case your edge finishing guidelines will probably be different. Chrome-tanned leathers and extremely soft leathers like sheepskin are difficult and sometimes impossible to burnish by hand. If you would like to follow this tutorial to spec, we would suggest acquiring a burnish-able vegetable tanned leather.
Guidelines of Template Usage
We put a lot of time and effort into producing these templates, videos, and blog posts. Please do not distribute the template you have purchased from Makesupply. It’s not cool and hurts our feelings. However, you are free to do whatever you want with the end product you create using the template design. Even sell them on Etsy!
