Free Leather Field Notes Cover Pattern with Pen Slot

Download this free leather Field Notes cover pattern with pen slot, designed for standard Field Notes–size notebooks. The printable PDF pattern is intended for traditional hand cutting and hand stitching, making it easy to build with basic leathercraft tools.

For makers looking to speed up production or achieve consistent results, laser-ready digital files and acrylic template sets are also available as optional upgrades.

Template Options

• Source / “Laser Ready” Files – Leather Field Notes Case (source)
• Acrylic Template – Leather Field Notes Case (acrylic)

Usage Note: You are free to use this design to create and even sell the end product. However, you cannot redistribute this template in any form.

If you need any general assistance with how our patterns work, check out our How To Use MAKESUPPLY Leather Templates Guide!

Project Instructions

In the video below we focus on constructing the Field Notes pattern using a laser cutter. However, the overall process will be the exact same if youre using the free print ready PDF. A new build along the video focusing on hand-cutting is in the works!

Inventory of Tools

• 36″ x 24″ Self Healing Cutting Mat
• Masking Tape
• Scratch Awl
• No.2 X-ACTO Knife
• Dremel with Sanding Bit
• Wood Slicker
• Dremel Burnishing Bit
• Aquilim 315 Cement
• Glue Pot
• Plastic Spreaders
• Finishing Hammer
• Thread Nippers
• Fiebings Pro Dye (Black)
• Empty Paint Marker
• Neatsfoot Oil
• Bick 4 Leather Conditioner
• Wire Clips
• Bone Folder
• Dummy Credit Cards
• Wing Divider
• C.S. Osborne Scratch Awl
• John James Stitching Needles – 002
• Generic Sandpaper – 320 Grit
• Tiger Thred (Brown – .8mm)
• Tokonole Burnishing Gum
• Seiwa Edge Beveler (#1)
• Brass Pen
• Field Notes Notebook

Leather Selection

In this video we used Valdibrana Conceria, Tarano Italian Vachetta Leather – 3.5oz (~1.5mm) thick. This pattern is designed for a leather in that thickness range. You have a little bit of leeway with this design to move up in thickness to 4-5oz. Just note that the thicker the leather, the smaller the pen slot will become. If you are laser cutting I HIGHLY suggest sticking with a pure 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 (CRY EMOJI). However, you are free to do whatever you want with the end product you create using the template design. Even sell them on Etsy!