Introduction: Every Day Carry Leather Organizer (EDC)

By

LEVEL UP your EDC game with these leather organizer in the EDC scene/world. This EDC leather organizer is optimal for A5 (14,8 cm x 21 cm) notebooks with the maximum number of pages 64 (MOLESKINE, Field Notes, etc.). In addition, this organizer has two front pockets. One of the pockets is for credit cards or business cards. The other pocket can be used in my modified version for other purposes (Example: Carrying an emergency bullet :D). Originally this pocket is for a pen. By the way, leather is very robust and sustainable material. I LOVE working with leather so much. Okay, let us make one :)

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Material:

  • Leather of your choice 3 - 4 oz (1.2 - 1.6 mm is my recommendation).
  • Medium soft leather is better for the shape.

Tools:

  • Cutter
  • Ruler
  • Hammer
  • Half round punches
  • Scratch awl
  • Wood slicker
  • Chisel (5 mm)
  • Leather glue
  • Wing divider
  • 2x needles
  • Sew thread
  • Tokonole leather finish
  • Leather balm (Protect leather and gives the leather a fresh look)
  • Rotary tool (for example: Dremel) or sandpaper
  • Edge beveler
  • Lighter
  • Crepe tape
  • Coin

Step 2: Print, Cut and Tracing Out the Pattern

Download free attached pattern, print and cut them out. Transfer the pattern on each leather piece. Use the scratch awl tool. Use the ruler and cutter to cut the leather pieces out. For inner round edge use half round punches. Use thick paper if you want to make more than one.

NOTE: In this version i use crepe tape, that is why i am not exactly cutting all pattern out. In addition, i would like to make the second pockets a little different. That is why it is so cool to have a pattern. You can modify them how you want.

Use the following printer setting:

Size: 100%

Paper size European: DIN A4

Paper size USA: US Letter

Attachments

Step 3: Working on Piece No. 2 (Cutting an Inner Round Edge)

  1. You should have three pieces (No. 1, no. 2 and no. 3) now. The piece no. 2 have an inner round edge. Use half round punches or cut out the inner round edge by hand.
  2. The inner round edge have now sharp edges. Continue if you like it or you can smooth them. Use a round object, for example a sewing thread spool or a coin.

Step 4: Working on Piece No. 2 and No. 1 (Sanding and Burnishing the Upper Edges)

  1. For smooth edges use sandpaper or rotary tool (for example: Dremel).
  2. Burnish the upper edges. Use tokonole leather finish and the wood slicker to burnishing the edges. You can use water as well. You can find HERE a very useful tutorial from "Corter Leather".

NOTE: Repeat sanding and burnishing one more time for a better results. Use different types of sandpaper (First round: 400, second round: 1200).

Step 5: Working on Piece No. 2 and No. 1 (Glue Them Together, Punching Holes and Sewing)

  1. At the gluing points of the piece no. 2 make the leather a little rough with your cutter.
  2. Glue the pieces no. 1 with no. 2 together.
  3. Use your wing divider on the pattern no. 1 to measure the position of the seam and transfer it on piece no. 1.
  4. Punch holes just on the middle stiching mark and until the end of the marking!
  5. Sew both pieces together. For sewing i use the saddle stitch technique WITHOUT a stitching pony. HERE you can learn from "Corter Leather" how to do that.

Tipp: To remove the excess glue use a plastic card or metal ruler.

Step 6: Glue the Piece No. 3 With No. 1/no. 2 Together and Sanding the Edges

  1. Glue the piece no. 3 with no. 1/no. 2 together.
  2. For the round bottom corners use a coin. Trim the edges.
  3. Use a rotary tool (for example: Dremel) to smooth the thicker edges.

Step 7: Punching Holes, Sewing and Bevel the Edges

  1. Adjust 3 mm on the wing divider and mark the stiching lines (You are new on leather craft? Just search on YouTube for "How to use wing divider").
  2. Punch the holes and sew the rest together.
  3. For the round top corners use a coin. Trim the edges.
  4. Sanding all the edges. Use the edge beveler for taking off the sharp edges.

Step 8: Optional: Attach Your Logo/brand

You can use laser or punching/stamping letters too. I am using a branding stamp.

Step 9: Finishing the Edges

  1. Burnish the edges (see step 4).

  2. Apply some leather balm on the smooth surface of your finished piece.

Step 10: The Finished Product

We are done! You made it! I would be glad to see your EDC leather organizer :)


*** My Links ***

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paracord.wolf/

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/de/shop/LionAndCrossLeather

Leather Challenge

First Prize in the
Leather Challenge