Love love love your projects! I need some of these and will be making them in different materials and sizes. One tip for you is to “grade” the elastic…cut the two layers differently. I cut the inside (top) layer shorter by about 50%. Works to reduce bulk really well! Thanks so much for all your work and knowledge!
I could be wrong, but I believe the trick to sewing leather (unless you are making shoes or purses) is to use a leather needle. I have a Janome from Costco, nothing fancy, but a leather needle makes all the difference in the world as it is really sharp and pierces through the fabric. I LOVE your posts...you are my new friend! Thanks so much for the great ideas!
Nice! If the slanted pen bugs you, just make 3 loops instead of 2 with the top and bottom on one side and the center on the other and it will be held closed with the pen parallel to the edge.
Aha! I was wondering about the TWO writing utensil loopies and then when you were putting all the stuff in the thingamabob I was thinking, hmmm...that needs some kind of closure and THEN you blew me away by using the loopies as the closure! Very clever!!
you are awesome... and hilarious.. I just had to leave a message and say that you made my day with .. just you.. your personality is just so fantastic and inviting... So. yeah. I mean thats about all i have to say - other than I am so grateful for all the tips tricks and tutorials you put on youtube because ive learned so very much from your channel. I am a journal maker and you have helped me refine some skills and taught me some new things and different ways to make/do things i hadnt thought of ... Thank you for being you! You are definitely one of my favorite channels to watch, juts because - what you make is always super cool - but also because just watching you make sh*t is really entertaining... so THANK YOU! :D Love from Toronto(ish) Canada :D
Love your work Nik! 😍 I used to sew all our clothes years ago and I remember you could get different size needles for different materials ,I.e. leather, synthetics, cotton etc. Perhaps ask your nearest sewing shop if they have needles for leather. 😁
I really like the small size of this journal. So handy to use on walks to make small notes about what you saw or witnessed in nature. Great idea for the pen closure.
One of the best Feild Note Book Covers I've seen! No kidding! One suggestion though; if you're concerned about your pen being wonky the way it is now put the pen loops about a 1/8" apart from each other on opposite sides like you've done here. That's how Hobonochi does their covers and the pen seems to stay better as it's bulk is clasped is held in one place. People seem to really like it.
I've recently discovered your channel and I have to say I've become a huge fan of yourself and your work! Of course, the projects are wonderful but I can just say I love the banter!
Clever lil' thing you are! I love this idea. Was thrift shopping today for journaling material and saw a cool cranberry leather skirt that would in no way fit me, ha... Thought it was kinda pretty. May have to return tomorrow and see if it's still there. Thanks for the great ideas.
Hey Nik, I forgot to say, that I really, really think that the closure on this field notes is Brilliant!!!!!!! And thank you so much for the free downloads Love them and You xxx Mags
I love it! I just got some Field Notes booklets and this is perfect. Love how you did the pen to work as a closure!! Super nice job. Thanks for creating the template.
I love this, thank you! It cracked me up when you said that the pen going at an angle through the loops might bother some people - yeah, it would drive me crazy. So here’s a thought: what about using THREE loops? Top loop on the front, middle loop on the back, lowest loop on the front. So when you threaded you pen through them, it would lie in a straight line!
LOVE your videos! Thanks for your inspiration. I thought I was the only one who crafts and talks on a wing and a prayer. LOL Anyway - Hubby and I both do leather (he does horse harness, biker gear & I do buckskin clothing) so here's some tips for sewing leather on a regular sewing machine: Sharp needle!!! Button thread Walker foot so the machine can move the leather as it sews. Set stitch length longer than cloth (or the leather gets perforated and will rip) Sew over an area ONE time (or leather gets perforated and will rip) Check with upholstery shops for scraps form their big projects. Most will give you smaller paces or sell them wa-a-ay cheap.
I have a singer stylist sewing machine, I absolutely love it and would highly recommend it because I’ve been able to sew every fabric I’ve tried to use with it (minky, fleece, and any super stretchy fabric does need a presser foot, but they aren’t expensive and are pretty easy to find) and the machine itself is usually under $150. Also all the cool stitches it comes with are fun to use when making journals and sewing pockets 😊
Nik, you are some kind of wonderful. Your comments, " when I walk into the room ..." you crack me up. Love and lots of hugs. The :thing-ma- bod is great.
Hi Nik ... way cool my friend , great project and I’m with all the other gals ... would be fun to make and great to have. Love watching you make stuff , anything , just have a good time with you . Thanks a bunch. Got me thinking about leather to look for in my haunts .. have a super grand day !!
I love, love this !!! Thank you so much for allowing us to have this,,, Sweet, Sweet !!!! Yes, I want you to be live,, yayyyy that will be fun !!!!!!! Thanks for all you do !!!!!
Love love LOVE your chat, my daughter (age 10) and I adore watching your youtube channel. Thank you so much. We are going to have to try this project this weekend.
So creative and such a great idea! Love it! Anxious to try it with an old purse. It has some zip pockets that maybe I can incorporate as well. TFS, Nik!
This would be such an awesome idea to keep track of monthly bills... keep track of incoming/outgoing money in the notebook, keep the cash for the payments or your monthly budget in the big pocket and the card to pay in the card slots...
TFS, love it! You can always get needles for your machine that are specific for sewing leather. Most sewing machines you can use specific needles. Definitely a heavy duty sewing machine would be perfect for leather.
If your sewing machine is a bit on the weak side, use leather needles for sewing. You will be surprised what difference it makes. Leather needles have a little blade at the tip, cutting through the leather. In addition, you can buy a top transporter. It makes it a lot easier to sew leather or pleather...
The pen closure trick: put two elastic loops on the top and bottom of the side edge of back cover and one elastic loop on the the middle of the side edge of the front cover. It keeps the pen straight and keeps the cover closed and in line. No need for the crosswise band.
This was fun! I had two goes at this - the first result was a bit rubbish (inexperience) but the second was more promising. I will probably make a third - I'm determined to nail this! I have to say that I think its important to use thin enough leather. I used leather that i had in my stash forever. I don't know what it was from - it was second hand from a crafting place that donated free crafting materials to those who were on benefits (as I was then). but I think it may have been from a sofa or something. I did the same structure on the left as you did and the result was 9mm thick. Unlike yours, my machine doesn't whimper if I approach it with anything thicker than cotton, AND I had a leather needle. It (grudgingly) sewed three layers together but on the fourth I couldn't even get the wodge under the foot so gave up trying to sew the back on and settled for gluing it, as you have. So I will definitely look for some thinner leather, be it from a fabric store or a second-hand shop as you've done, and have another attempt. But it's cost very little, used things I had in my stash already, and it was downright fun to do - thank you! (I'll stick a photo on my instagram if you want to see the results, Nik, I'm following you there and will link in this video).
Hey Nik love your work and your videos. Your sense of humour suits me perfectly. I gave this a try with some leather that I had saved from a couch that was ruined but I found that it stretched as I sewed it. What type of leather was the skirt and how will I know it isn’t going to stretch when sewed. Keep up th3 good work regards from Oz.
Great project! I may try this one with my daughters. If you did two pen loops, top and bottom, on the back and one in the center of the front, the pen would go straight up and down :)
I love your things-ma-bob. I used an old purse to build three different size things-ma-bob. Yours turned out better than mine. I used old papers for inserts. I have learned a lot from your videos.
You could try using a specialty leather needle. Schmetz makes them. Also you will probably need to adjust the pressure on the presser foot. You need less pressure for leather than cotton. There is also a specialty foot for sewing leather called a "roller" foot. But your way is soooo much easier!
I'm second to respond, yeah! So glad that your working with leather in this craft-a-long in making our very own thing-ma-bob. This project is e'ery thin'. Thanks. How about setting your sewing machine on heavy weight fabrics/heavy duty? Or how about hand sewn using a blanket stitch?
I've been planning to make something to keep my passport, boarding pass, and covid certificates together, and searching the internet for patterns. Your pattern could be adapted for that so thank you 🙂
It looks amazing though. I like the pen loop closure. You said it. Travelers Notebook or TN for short. I'm kind of addicted to Chic Sparrow's notebook covers. Although there are many other brands. I just really prefer the quality of Chic Sparrow. Anyway, I've thought about making my own, just wasn't sure how to go about it. So this was really helpful. When you said 80's or 90's leather skirt it reminded me I have a black leather skirt tucked away in my closet from the 90s. lol.
Hi Nik. Thankyou so much for your videos. I've learned SO much and enjoyed your presentations VERY much as well. I could not print the templates for the Field Notes Thinga-ma-bob from Flickr. I've had no trouble printing anything else so far. Any hints, please? Thanks! Jennifer
Hi Nik. If you happen to come across my message above (just realised it relates to an older video), don't worry about answering... I've figured out what I was doing wrong! Thanks! Jennifer
Love your thinga-ma-bob. Have you ever made a thinga-ma-jig? My Singer cries and moans too. It's such a sad thing to listen to. But she always pulls through in the end.
CUTE! I mean, cool...Dude needs a real name so he is right up there with those pricey Midori covers..."Charleston" might do. A Feild Note wallet, style: Charleston. Can I cut up my sons' suede fringe Daniel Boon jacket that has not fit him in years? Be my Mom. No, I think an old purse would be better on the sacrificial craft alter. Thank you for this tutorial, Nik!
yay for the live stream!!!! I hope I am where I can join....I am going to try this idea and see what I can do with it...2 thumbs up to the mad crafter....lol...
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Love love love your projects! I need some of these and will be making them in different materials and sizes. One tip for you is to “grade” the elastic…cut the two layers differently. I cut the inside (top) layer shorter by about 50%. Works to reduce bulk really well! Thanks so much for all your work and knowledge!
Oh thank you, that's an excellent idea!
Great idea, Kim! Thanks!
I could be wrong, but I believe the trick to sewing leather (unless you are making shoes or purses) is to use a leather needle. I have a Janome from Costco, nothing fancy, but a leather needle makes all the difference in the world as it is really sharp and pierces through the fabric. I LOVE your posts...you are my new friend! Thanks so much for the great ideas!
Can I just say.."I love you and I love your Creativity"..💕💕💕
You are a breath of inspiration and originality..Thank you xx
Nice! If the slanted pen bugs you, just make 3 loops instead of 2 with the top and bottom on one side and the center on the other and it will be held closed with the pen parallel to the edge.
Aha! I was wondering about the TWO writing utensil loopies and then when you were putting all the stuff in the thingamabob I was thinking, hmmm...that needs some kind of closure and THEN you blew me away by using the loopies as the closure! Very clever!!
A four-year old video, and it’s still fresh! Love it!!
you are awesome... and hilarious..
I just had to leave a message and say that you made my day with .. just you.. your personality is just so fantastic and inviting... So. yeah. I mean thats about all i have to say - other than I am so grateful for all the tips tricks and tutorials you put on youtube because ive learned so very much from your channel. I am a journal maker and you have helped me refine some skills and taught me some new things and different ways to make/do things i hadnt thought of ...
Thank you for being you! You are definitely one of my favorite channels to watch, juts because - what you make is always super cool - but also because just watching you make sh*t is really entertaining... so THANK YOU! :D
Love from Toronto(ish) Canada :D
Love your work Nik! 😍
I used to sew all our clothes years ago and I remember you could get different size needles for different materials ,I.e. leather, synthetics, cotton etc.
Perhaps ask your nearest sewing shop if they have needles for leather. 😁
This is perfect for the character books for my archaeological themed murder mystery dinner party set in 1890 Mesopotamia!
I really like the small size of this journal. So handy to use on walks to make small notes about what you saw or witnessed in nature. Great idea for the pen closure.
One of the best Feild Note Book Covers I've seen! No kidding! One suggestion though; if you're concerned about your pen being wonky the way it is now put the pen loops about a 1/8" apart from each other on opposite sides like you've done here. That's how Hobonochi does their covers and the pen seems to stay better as it's bulk is clasped is held in one place. People seem to really like it.
I've recently discovered your channel and I have to say I've become a huge fan of yourself and your work! Of course, the projects are wonderful but I can just say I love the banter!
Clever lil' thing you are! I love this idea. Was thrift shopping today for journaling material and saw a cool cranberry leather skirt that would in no way fit me, ha... Thought it was kinda pretty. May have to return tomorrow and see if it's still there. Thanks for the great ideas.
ohmygoodness Melissa, go get that skirt!!
Hey Nik, I forgot to say, that I really, really think that the closure on this field notes is Brilliant!!!!!!! And thank you so much for the free downloads Love them and You xxx Mags
I am so thankful for the day I found your channel! You inspire so many ideas! Thank you for sharing your creativity!
I love it! I just got some Field Notes booklets and this is perfect. Love how you did the pen to work as a closure!! Super nice job. Thanks for creating the template.
I love it...and I love your ingenious closure...
I love this, thank you! It cracked me up when you said that the pen going at an angle through the loops might bother some people - yeah, it would drive me crazy. So here’s a thought: what about using THREE loops? Top loop on the front, middle loop on the back, lowest loop on the front. So when you threaded you pen through them, it would lie in a straight line!
LOVE your videos! Thanks for your inspiration.
I thought I was the only one who crafts and talks on a wing and a prayer. LOL
Anyway - Hubby and I both do leather (he does horse harness, biker gear & I do buckskin clothing) so here's some tips for sewing leather on a regular sewing machine:
Sharp needle!!!
Button thread
Walker foot so the machine can move the leather as it sews.
Set stitch length longer than cloth (or the leather gets perforated and will rip)
Sew over an area ONE time (or leather gets perforated and will rip)
Check with upholstery shops for scraps form their big projects. Most will give you smaller paces or sell them wa-a-ay cheap.
Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing. Love your 'not wonderful and perfect' 😊 it looks perfect to me.
Nik this is totally awesome, and stunning and gorgeous!!!!!!!!!! Love it. Thank you so much xxx Mags
This is fabulous! So sorry I missed your live feed!! Thank you Nik!!
I have a singer stylist sewing machine, I absolutely love it and would highly recommend it because I’ve been able to sew every fabric I’ve tried to use with it (minky, fleece, and any super stretchy fabric does need a presser foot, but they aren’t expensive and are pretty easy to find) and the machine itself is usually under $150. Also all the cool stitches it comes with are fun to use when making journals and sewing pockets 😊
Fantastic! My oldest son graduates from high school in May; he’d be keen to have one to accompany him on his summer adventures. Thanks for sharing! 👍
Nik, you are some kind of wonderful. Your comments, " when I walk into the room ..." you crack me up. Love and lots of hugs. The :thing-ma- bod is great.
We learn a lot, we laugh, all in good clean fun. Thank you very much for all of the above.
Hi Nik ... way cool my friend , great project and I’m with all the other gals ... would be fun to make and great to have. Love watching you make stuff , anything , just have a good time with you .
Thanks a bunch. Got me thinking about leather to look for in my haunts .. have a super grand day !!
Nik I love your Journals that get my creative juices flowing.
This is so cute! Gotta make one. You're so much fun to watch and come up with great projects. Frankenpaper is another favorite. 😄
I love, love this !!! Thank you so much for allowing us to have this,,, Sweet, Sweet !!!! Yes, I want you to be live,, yayyyy that will be fun !!!!!!! Thanks for all you do !!!!!
keep doing things how you do them Nik :) LOVE this and the way you present your videos
yay for live stream
Love love LOVE your chat, my daughter (age 10) and I adore watching your youtube channel. Thank you so much. We are going to have to try this project this weekend.
Love it! Just realized you made the first Journal printable I ever purchased. Addicted ever since. AnaMaree.
Thank you so much for being you, I love the way you do the videos and love the end result. Hugs
I love your sense of humor. You crack me up!!
hi Nelda!! 🤗
So creative and such a great idea! Love it! Anxious to try it with an old purse. It has some zip pockets that maybe I can incorporate as well. TFS, Nik!
OMG the pen closure!!! Freaking genius!!!!
Gorgeous project ! I would call it a wallet or compendium. 😊
What an awesome easy project!! Thanks for teaching us!!
Another wonderful project, thank you! I always wait eagerly for your videos ♥️
This would be such an awesome idea to keep track of monthly bills... keep track of incoming/outgoing money in the notebook, keep the cash for the payments or your monthly budget in the big pocket and the card to pay in the card slots...
TFS, love it! You can always get needles for your machine that are specific for sewing leather. Most sewing machines you can use specific needles. Definitely a heavy duty sewing machine would be perfect for leather.
I really should, promise to look next time I go to Joann's, thank you!
If your sewing machine is a bit on the weak side, use leather needles for sewing. You will be surprised what difference it makes. Leather needles have a little blade at the tip, cutting through the leather. In addition, you can buy a top transporter. It makes it a lot easier to sew leather or pleather...
Love this Field Note Journal and absolutely enjoy your videos.
The pen closure trick: put two elastic loops on the top and bottom of the side edge of back cover and one elastic loop on the the middle of the side edge of the front cover. It keeps the pen straight and keeps the cover closed and in line. No need for the crosswise band.
Super cool and inspirational. It gives me great ideas to built one.
OMG, I LOVE this...so fantastic. I'm definitely going to make some of these as gifts.
That came out very beautiful. It doesn't even look handmade. Great job! 🌴🤗🌸🌻🌹💚😛😜🌴
OH merci ! I appréciate the cm instead inch :) . Have a good day, Nik :)
Love this field note wallet!!!!❤️😍
Love your thinga ma-bob! Thanks for the ideas.
LOVE this Thinga-ma-bob too! Super tutorial!! Hugs
🤗
This was fun! I had two goes at this - the first result was a bit rubbish (inexperience) but the second was more promising. I will probably make a third - I'm determined to nail this! I have to say that I think its important to use thin enough leather. I used leather that i had in my stash forever. I don't know what it was from - it was second hand from a crafting place that donated free crafting materials to those who were on benefits (as I was then). but I think it may have been from a sofa or something. I did the same structure on the left as you did and the result was 9mm thick. Unlike yours, my machine doesn't whimper if I approach it with anything thicker than cotton, AND I had a leather needle. It (grudgingly) sewed three layers together but on the fourth I couldn't even get the wodge under the foot so gave up trying to sew the back on and settled for gluing it, as you have. So I will definitely look for some thinner leather, be it from a fabric store or a second-hand shop as you've done, and have another attempt. But it's cost very little, used things I had in my stash already, and it was downright fun to do - thank you! (I'll stick a photo on my instagram if you want to see the results, Nik, I'm following you there and will link in this video).
oh very cool, Liz, thank you, I will look you up! =)
You are soooo funny. I think I cracked a rib laughing! Don't ever change Nik. Love from Denmark
I've cut up and saved my old purses for years, knew I could "use it for something" -- thanks for this fantastic idea!!!
Hey Nik love your work and your videos. Your sense of humour suits me perfectly. I gave this a try with some leather that I had saved from a couch that was ruined but I found that it stretched as I sewed it. What type of leather was the skirt and how will I know it isn’t going to stretch when sewed. Keep up th3 good work regards from Oz.
So Great...I love it...and I see old leather skirts, etc at Thrift Stores...I'm not over looking them anymore!!! xo
I love this thing-ma-doodle! Thanks Nik ❤️😘🇨🇦❤️
Great project! I may try this one with my daughters. If you did two pen loops, top and bottom, on the back and one in the center of the front, the pen would go straight up and down :)
Hi Tim! yeah....I did think of that later while editing the video. Huge *facepalm* moment 😄 I hope you do try it...your closure idea, though!
Great idea with the two pen loops to keep the cover closed 😁
Your tutorials are so well thought out
I love your things-ma-bob. I used an old purse to build three different size things-ma-bob. Yours turned out better than mine. I used old papers for inserts. I have learned a lot from your videos.
That is awesome! Great guy gift. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
You could try using a specialty leather needle. Schmetz makes them. Also you will probably need to adjust the pressure on the presser foot. You need less pressure for leather than cotton. There is also a specialty foot for sewing leather called a "roller" foot. But your way is soooo much easier!
I love this! I'm going to try and make it this weekend!
Hi Nik, Thanks for putting the measurements in mm!! Great tuto!! Marie from Belgium
;)
Absolutely awesome! It looks perfect to me!
totally love it. great ideas. Still want to do what to do. So amazing.
Ooh that looks great! I think I have to make one of those. I carry around Field Notes all the time. =)
Beautiful result! I would be thrilled with it if I could make one. :)
That’s brilliant! So very clever.
I'm second to respond, yeah! So glad that your working with leather in this craft-a-long in making our very own thing-ma-bob. This project is e'ery thin'. Thanks. How about setting your sewing machine on heavy weight fabrics/heavy duty? Or how about hand sewn using a blanket stitch?
Howdy! I looked for that kind of setting...didn't see one, but I will def get a leather needle. Just learned about those today, who'da thunk?? 🤔😄
Omg I need that in my life!! That is right up my alley. Yep that will be my next project!
Thanks for sharing! I always enjoy your videos.
I've been planning to make something to keep my passport, boarding pass, and covid certificates together, and searching the internet for patterns. Your pattern could be adapted for that so thank you 🙂
OMG. Love this!! Thanks Nik!!!!!
This is awesome! Future project!
Love this!!! Uh, live stream for the next pour? Girl, you are brave. You KNOW we will be yelling at you! 😂
It looks amazing though. I like the pen loop closure. You said it. Travelers Notebook or TN for short. I'm kind of addicted to Chic Sparrow's notebook covers. Although there are many other brands. I just really prefer the quality of Chic Sparrow. Anyway, I've thought about making my own, just wasn't sure how to go about it. So this was really helpful. When you said 80's or 90's leather skirt it reminded me I have a black leather skirt tucked away in my closet from the 90s. lol.
get that skirt out, girl!! ✂
This is a really awesome idea!! Tfs
Great idea Nik!! I L♥️VE IT 😀
Hi Nik. Thankyou so much for your videos. I've learned SO much and enjoyed your presentations VERY much as well. I could not print the templates for the Field Notes Thinga-ma-bob from Flickr. I've had no trouble printing anything else so far. Any hints, please? Thanks! Jennifer
Hi Nik. If you happen to come across my message above (just realised it relates to an older video), don't worry about answering... I've figured out what I was doing wrong! Thanks! Jennifer
Very nice - Thanks for sharing! ☺
Very cute and doable thanks for sharing 💝
Yours is gorgeous! Thanks so much for the templates! xo
What a beautiful idea❤️🇳🇱
You explained it perfectly and it's cool.
Love your thinga-ma-bob. Have you ever made a thinga-ma-jig? My Singer cries and moans too. It's such a sad thing to listen to. But she always pulls through in the end.
Thinga-ma-jigs are a whole different process! crafty, tricky things they are!
a trick : watch series on kaldroStream. I've been using it for watching all kinds of movies during the lockdown.
@Jamal Forest yup, I have been using kaldroStream for years myself =)
Love this! Thank you. 🖤
CUTE! I mean, cool...Dude needs a real name so he is right up there with those pricey Midori covers..."Charleston" might do. A Feild Note wallet, style: Charleston. Can I cut up my sons' suede fringe Daniel Boon jacket that has not fit him in years? Be my Mom. No, I think an old purse would be better on the sacrificial craft alter. Thank you for this tutorial, Nik!
ooooo...I don't know if Im fancy enough for "the Charleston"! 😄...and if you cut up the jacket, I will disavow any knowledge that we spoke. 🕵️♂️
wonderful!!!! thanks for sharing!!!!
Cool. Always liked Indiana Jones thinga-ma-bobs!
Thank you so much! I have to do this. I love the pen-thing... :)
Brilliant as usual!! Love it!
yay for the live stream!!!! I hope I am where I can join....I am going to try this idea and see what I can do with it...2 thumbs up to the mad crafter....lol...
mad crafter...I like that! 🧐
That was awesome, thanks nik for sharing a great project, i think another charity shop run is due :)
cheap leather! thank you, Jibid! 🤗
So cool Nik!!
It's wonderful and brilliant and---perfect! I make Fauxdori covers, I'm gonna have to make one of these, too! Thanks for sharing! ~~Leslie
So cute!!! ♥️♥️♥️
Must make one! I love it