Made a custom sketchbook for my niece's birthday

Used some leftover leather for the cover, but it's a bit stiff. Any ideas on how to soften leather without damaging it?

3 comments

3 Comments

Oh great, you've made a sketchbook that could probably stop a bullet. Conditioning it is like trying to teach an OLD dog new tricks. Good luck making it soft enough for actual drawing without needing a workout first.

casey_palmer5d ago

Have you looked into using a simple leather conditioner? I had a stiff cover on a notebook I made, and in my experience, a basic conditioner from a local shop worked well. I applied a small amount with a clean cloth, let it soak in for an hour, and then gently bent the leather back and forth. It took a few rounds over a couple days, but it really softened up without any damage. Your mileage may vary, but go slow and test a small spot first. That method made my project much more flexible and usable.

jamie_garcia254d ago

What brand of conditioner did you end up using? I've got some stuff that's still kinda stiff after trying a cheap one.