Thinking a bit more, would a natural, unbleached linen work as a covering material? It's strong and flexible - and vegan!

Hello "Books", I'm a bookbinder too, though my experience and qualifications don't match yours (!), so I'd be hesitant to offer advice re. bindings, structures etc. However, I would back up Philip and Fadi regarding "vegan leather". The stuff I've come across is pretty feeble. If it was me, I'd go with a good bookcloth. There's so much variety (I'm sure you've seen the various special cloths they have at Hewit's?), so hopefully you could find a good material that the client likes. I'm not sure that this would translate for a Medieval structure though (?). Also, I've come across springback books made without animal glues and they've been great. Wouldn't a good quality eva be acceptable in this case?

Fadi, I'm happy to recommend you a couple of books and youtube channels that would help you have a go at bookbinding. x

Hello Laura, welcome to the group. I'm also a bookbinder, based in North Bedfordshire. I make all kinds of books, but love to use leather. I've been learning leatherwork to improve my bookbinding, but also to make complementary products. I'm also learning some silverwork, so I can make trims and clasps etc in the future.

Thanks Fadi, a bit difficult to show photos right now, as I'm away from home. I'll get the camera out when I get back and take a few shots.

Oh goodness! This made me a bit teary by the end. The amount of work he puts in, to make just one pair of boots - amazing. Every single step is perfection. I think it was the tiny finishing details that really finished me in the end - I had to wipe my eyes a bit, especially when they showed the shiny, glossy, gorgeous finished boots at the end (just the same shot as at the beginning, when my brain said, "Yeah, hand made boots. Quite nice." - and at the end? "WOW!!" He has other videos. I may be some time...

Thank you, that sounds like a very good plan!

Hi Philip, thank you for the encouragement. I used flat pliers to crimp the frames, but I need to make a couple of modifications to the next ones. The frames were a bit deep for the leather and I think some thin (piping) cord would help to give the top a better fit, so that the frames clamp better without getting slight dents inside.

Hi, thanks for the encouraging comments. I did line the little purses with suede. It was some really soft suede that I had in my scraps box and it was just exactly right for the colours of the leather and purse frames. The texture was right too, as the outer leather is also soft (lambskin), so the whole thing was about bright colour, but softness of feel, smoothness of leather and strokable softness of lining. Just to make it clear, the "purses" are coin purses, not little bags. I think I will try some small frame bags at some point too, perhaps with traditional chain handles, or else with short stiff handles (or maybe both).

Thanks. I've had a lot of practice with colour, as a painter and bookbinder. I enjoy designing my own items too.

Hum, obviously I don't understand the photo positioning for this blog... Still, hopefully you can see the idea.

This is a wonderful project. It looks amazing and was so worth all your hard work. It looks like a real vintage "trunk lid". I do hope you are happy with it (considering the "perfectionism" you mentioned). Nothing hand crafted is ever truly perfect, but I think that is a good thing - you are a human being, not a machine.

Really nice!

These are great items. I love the briefcase and how you used a vintage one to make a pattern.

@Leathercraft Masterclass

@Leathercraft Masterclass Thank you for your advice. I couldn't find the hairdryer (never use one), so I used an iron on a very low temperature, through a layer of clean, close-woven cotton, one area at a time. I then used a soft cotton cloth to buff the area, as you suggested. The white areas have disappeared and the book looks so much better. Much appreciated Philip.

Adds to long, long "To-Do" list... hehe

@Leathercraft Masterclass thanks. I'm away from home until Wednesday evening, so I'll have to deal with it on Thursday.

Great idea. Thank you very much Philip - the book looks spoilt at the moment, so anything that improves it will be a huge bonus!

That looks great. I am definitely not an expert in fine leatherwork (which is why I'm here), but if someone had made me this bag, I would be very happy - and if I was the "someone", I'd also be very happy! I'm sure, like with all "firsts", there are areas where you will want to improve, but as a first-time make, I think you could call it a success.