Woodhull 4751: Natural Veg Tan and a Stitched Spiral
The Woodhull 4751 is cut from natural vegetable tanned leather with nothing on it but thread: a spiral stitched across the flap, in the same cream thread that holds the case together.
A drawing made of stitches
Most of my stitching is structural. On this case the stitch line also draws. A spiral runs across the flap, and every hole is punched and sewn by hand in the saddle stitch, one thread and a needle at each end. The thread is the same color as the leather, so the pattern shows as relief and shadow, not as color.
Natural veg tan is a good surface for it. The leather is undyed and uncoated, so the spiral will darken along with the rest of the case as it ages.
The hardware
The closure is a Cobra quick-release lock, stitched on rather than riveted. The handle is a flat leather handle set on metal loops, and a shoulder strap clips on with swivel hooks. A Marcellino stamp sits on the flap.
The leather and the stitch
Natural vegetable tanned leather is the oldest form of leather, and it is the material that records use. For care, see leather care: conditioner or leather oil on a clean cloth, buffed with a dry one. Bridle Leather vs. Vegetable-Tanned: What the Difference Means in Your Hands puts it next to bridle leather.
The spiral is saddle stitch, the same stitch I use on the seams: hand stitching is done in the air, with no plate behind the needle. The Saddle Stitch Explained: Hand-Sewing Leather Step by Step shows how it is done.
