Ever struggling with finding a music folder that will accommodate large sheet music, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Having dabbled a bit in leathercrafting previously, I decided this would be a fun project to practice dyeing leather, and to construct a durable folder that will last for years!
I started with a large piece of heavyweight veg-tanned leather, and cut the pieces from it that I needed. I opted for a folder with dimensions of 12" x 15", small enough to not be cumbersome but big enough to protect large sheet music. I wanted 2 simple flaps inside the folder to tuck the music into, as well as a small pocket to hold a pencil.
For the dyeing process, I used Eco-Flo Waterstain in Bordeaux color. This stain was easy to use and wiped on with a sponge. I moistened the leather beforehand which helped the dye dry more slowly, so it was easier to achieve a consistent color. The hardest part of dyeing such large pieces of leather is achieving a consistent color, and I'm pleased with the job I did.
Punching the holes and stitching the pieces together was uneventful and very straightforward. I scored the interior of the folder down the middle, to assist in making the main fold. A little bit of water along the crease helped a bit. After all the stitching was done, I followed the usual progression of sanding the edges, dyeing them dark, sealing them with gum tragacanth, and burnishing them.
I fashioned a pencil holder out of a leftover scrap of leather, and stitched it to the inside of the folder. The pencil fits in a little bit tight, but it's better than falling out too easily.
After an amount of use, I decided that I wanted some way to keep the folder closed when carrying it, so I opted to add a snap to the open corner. This holds everything together really well and opens very easily. The folder has been really awesome to use, and I have yet to run into any large sheet music that won't fit in it!
Thanks for reading,
Juju
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