Friday, August 10, 2012

"Ribbon Yarn" Journal Cover- Part 2 of 2

The finished cover...

 
...and now with hand-dyed leather closure.

 
You'll notice that I reinforced the buttonhole area with a second layer of leather.

 
Adding a thick leather button finishes it off.



This is the kind of easily-acquired Composition Book that I like to put 'inside'. 
 
Now, private papers can't fall out and get lost.

 
The finished cover in all of its glory (front side)...

 
...and back.

 
Some months ago, when I first dyed this deer hide for a particular project...

...I wasn't sure that I'd ever find another use for pink leather!

Funny, isn't it, how it keeps finding utility in different projects?...

...like when you buy shoes in an odd color and then realize that they go with absolutely everything! :)

Because I wanted to reinforce the area that would see the most use (the buttonhole)...

...I stitched two layers of leather together to form that part of the closure.

While looking through my button bin for the perfect, colorful button...

...I found a thick, green, handmade, leather one from a felting friend in Chile.

Voila...a match made in heaven!!

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19 comments:

WonderWhyGal said...

oooh, I really like this one. The colors are perfect and the leather closure was totally meant for this project.

Elizabeth said...

I like the way the ribbon felted in flat without getting too wavy.

The leather button is really neat. Is it hard to get it through the hole, or is it rigid enough to push right through?

Terriea Kwong said...

Perfect, really a perfect book cover and the closer of leather + button is awesome!I will do one something like that. I have no confident of making inside out. You are expert!

Heather Woollove said...

Andrea--I was happy to be able to use some more of that pink leather!! :)
Elizabeth--Thank-you! The button is VERY rigid (the thickness of a heavy belt).. so there is no problem getting it through the soft leather buttonhole.
Terriea-I look forward to your version of this project. Next time we're together, we'll make an inside-out project together. I'm sure you would be an expert in no time!! XXO-

Rachel said...

Or when you buy any garment in an odd colour that somehow goes with everything - I'm still kicking myself over a jumper I didn't buy fifteen years ago...

Anonymous said...

This is simply stunning. It all just looks perfect together. Beautiful colours and textures. Very inspiring :) x

Kathryn Ray said...

Agreed. I like this project a lot. :-)

Gracey is not my name.... said...

That is absolutely awesome!

Heather Woollove said...

Rachel--I have kicked myself for the same kind of thing from time to time over the years!! Grrr.
AYLM-Thank-you! I do think that the ribbon yarn looks splendid when felted. :)
Kathryn--Thank-you! My yarn projects are usually a big hit with knitters! :)
GINMN-Thank-you!!

Voie de Vie said...

Oh this turned out just super! Love the leather closure, the button, the stripes ... everything!

Anonymous said...

Finally, I got here. I love, love, love both of your journal covers. What a smashing idea, and they look fantastic! I can't even choose between them, and you KNOW how much I love green. LOL

I do like the purse as well, by the way. Very unique design too. I don't know where you get all of your ideas, but they are great, always! :)

Vivian said...

To answer your question from last week (sorry I'm slow!) Plymouth is a large yarn company and produces some mid to low end yarns. Mushishi has a nice firm hand for knitting, and is quite pricey compare to other Plymouth yarns. I haven't knitted with it yet, but it feels pretty nice, then again I like most wools. Noro is insanely popular, might just be too popular for some. Yarn tasting is such a personal thing!

Now this ribbon is interesting. Is it natural fiber or nylon? Most ribbons I see are nylon or silk, brilliant colors, but of course, unfeltable!

Heather Woollove said...

Denise--Thanks! I soon depart from the 'stripe mode' that I've been in lately! :)
Sandie--Thanks so much, my friend!
Vivian--Thanks for the 'knitter's opinion' on yarn!
The ribbon yarn is definitely a synthetic! You can use synthetic fibers, fabrics and yarns in felting, you just need to felt it long enough that the wool fibers work through the 'other' to hold it in place.
Silk works the same way for nuno felting. It will not felt by itself, but wool fibers attach to it like the Borg! :)

AllyB said...

I am amazed every time I come to your blog. This cover is really pretty but I scrolled back a few posts and saw the one you did with the leaves and it just blew me away! Your felting skills are awesome. Thanks so much for sharing your pretty things every week.

Heather Woollove said...

Ally--How sweet of you!! I'm glad that you like the leaf one. I've been making quite a few journal covers lately, so there may be another one coming up which you'll like, too. (I even embellished one with lots of beads!!)

Pooch said...

Lovely colors in the book cover. It's a gem!

:)

Heather Woollove said...

Pooch--Thank you so much! I enjoy working with multi-colored yarn so much. It's like sewing with the wonderful, variegated thread that is available now. You never know what the next section of your project will look like! (It adds mystery!) Grin.

Alittlebitsheepish said...

Your book cover is super, a gorgeous finished object and an interesting mix of techniques and stories

Heather Woollove said...

ALBS-Thanks so much! I was waiting for JUST the right project to finally use one of my precious leather buttons!