Hi there, I’m Eric. If you’ve spent any time around my shop or seen me at a local market, you know I’m usually the guy in the kilt, probably deep in conversation about the difference between "genuine" leather and what I like to call "honest" materials.
As you may have guessed, I’m a bit obsessed with things that last. There is something about holding an object in your hands that feels like it has a soul, something that doesn't just work today but will be there for you twenty years down the road. For me, that obsession starts with a good notebook.
I’ve always been a writer of sorts. Not necessarily a novelist, but a guy who needs to get thoughts out of my head and onto paper. Whether it’s sketching a new design for a sporran, jotting down a grocery list, or recording a memory from a hike through the Texas brush, my notebook is my constant companion. But for the longest time, I struggled with how those notebooks held up. They’d get tossed in a bag, the corners would fray, the pages would get dog-eared, and eventually, the whole thing would just feel... disposable.
That’s exactly why I started making the Burgundy Leather Journal Cover. I wanted to create a "home" for those thoughts, a leather notebook cover that was as adventurous as the person carrying it.
What Does "Honest Materials" Actually Mean?
I talk a lot about "honest materials," and I think it’s important to explain what I mean by that. In a world of fast fashion and synthetic everything, "honest" is a rare thing to find. When you buy a mass-produced cover from a big-box store, you’re often getting "genuine leather." Now, that sounds good, right? But in the industry, "genuine" is actually a pretty low grade. It’s often scraps of leather glued together and painted to look uniform.
To me, that’s not honest.
When I pick out a hide for a leather journal cover, I’m looking for full-grain leather. This is the top layer of the hide, the toughest, most durable part. It hasn't been sanded down to remove "imperfections." You might see a small scar from a barbed-wire fence or a bit of texture from the animal's life. Those aren't flaws; they’re part of the story. Using these materials ensures that every piece I create is unique. I enjoy the fact that no two covers leave my bench looking exactly the same.
The Burgundy Leather Journal Cover: A Deep Dive
Let’s talk about the Burgundy Leather Journal Cover for a second. At $155.00, it’s an investment, and I don't take that lightly. When I was designing this piece, I spent a lot of time thinking about the weight, the smell, and, most importantly, the color.
There’s something about a deep burgundy that just screams "adventure." It’s sophisticated enough for a boardroom but rugged enough to be pulled out of a dusty rucksack. When I hold this cover, it feels substantial. It has a weight to it that reassures you it’s protecting whatever you’ve written inside.
I’ve found that many people are surprised by the texture. It’s supple but firm. It doesn't feel like plastic. It feels like... well, like leather should. Every time you open it to write, you get that rich, earthy scent that only comes from high-quality tanning processes. It’s the kind of sensory experience that makes you want to sit down and write, even if it’s just for five minutes.
Hand-Stitched Durability: One Step at a Time
One of the things I pride myself on at The Kilted Leatherworker LLC is that I don't use sewing machines. Everything I make is hand-stitched. Now, you might wonder why I’d spend hours punching holes and pulling needles through thick leather when a machine could do it in seconds.
The answer is simple: durability.
A machine uses what’s called a "lockstitch." If one thread breaks, the whole seam can start to unravel. It’s like a zipper, once a tooth goes, the whole thing is toast. But when I stitch by hand, I use a "saddle stitch." I’m passing two needles through every single hole. If a thread were to somehow wear through or break (which is unlikely with the heavy waxed thread I use), the rest of the stitching stays perfectly intact.
I love the process of hand-stitching. It’s slow, it’s methodical, and it allows me to ensure that every stitch is perfect. It’s my way of making sure that your handmade leather goods aren't just pretty, but are built to survive whatever life throws at them.
The Magic of the Patina
If you’ve ever owned a piece of high-quality leather, you know about the patina. For those who don't, it’s the natural aging process of the leather. Over time, as you handle your leather journal cover, the oils from your hands, the sunlight, and even the minor scratches from daily use start to transform the surface.
A new cover is beautiful, but a cover that has been carried for five years? That’s a masterpiece. It develops a sheen and a depth of color that you simply cannot buy. It becomes a map of your journeys. Maybe that dark spot on the corner came from a rainy day in Edinburgh, or that tiny scratch happened while you were camping in Big Bend.
I’ve always felt that my leather goods get better with age. They don't wear out; they wear in. Your Burgundy cover will start to soften, conforming to the shape of your favorite notebook and your grip. It’s not just a leather notebook cover anymore; it’s a companion for a lifetime of writing.
Why a Cover Instead of a Disposable Notebook?
I get asked this sometimes: "Eric, why not just buy a cheap notebook and toss it when it's full?"
Well, think about it like this. You wouldn't buy a new car every time you ran out of gas, right? You’d just refill the tank. A high-quality leather journal cover works the same way. It’s a permanent home for your temporary pages.
Most of the covers I make are designed to fit standard sizes, like the A5. When you finish a notebook, you simply slide it out and slide a fresh one in. The cover stays with you. The words you wrote in 2024 are on your shelf, protected, and the cover is ready for the stories you’re going to tell in 2026 and beyond.
It’s also about the ritual. There’s a certain satisfaction in sitting down, popping open a cold soda: maybe a crisp cream soda on a porch swing: and opening a cover you’ve owned for a decade. It signals to your brain that it’s time to focus. It’s a bit of "slow living" in a world that’s moving way too fast.
A Companion for Every Adventure
Whether you’re a traveler, an artist, a student, or just someone who likes to keep their thoughts organized, the right tools matter. I believe that the things we carry should reflect who we are. If you value honesty, hard work, and things made by hand, then a mass-produced plastic cover probably isn't for you.
When I’m out in the workshop, I often think about where these covers will end up. I imagine them on planes, in backpockets, on nightstands, and in the hands of people who really care about what they’re putting down on paper. It motivates me to keep going, one stitch at a time.
If you're curious about how I started this whole adventure, you can read about my leatherworking journey here. It wasn't always kilts and high-end journals; it started with a simple desire to make something better than what I could find in the stores.
Taking Care of Your Investment
Since we’re talking about a lifetime of writing, I should mention that taking care of your leather is pretty easy. Because I use honest materials, they don't need much. A little bit of leather conditioner every once in a while will keep the fibers supple and the color vibrant. But honestly? The best thing you can do for your leather is to use it. The more you handle it, the better it looks.
If you ever have questions about how to care for your gear, or if you’re trying to decide between a journal cover or something else, feel free to check out my post on choosing the right protection for your pages. Or, you can always reach out to me directly. I’m always happy to talk shop.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, my job at The Kilted Leatherworker LLC is to provide you with gear that makes your life a little more intentional. Whether it's a minimalist wallet or a journal cover, I want you to feel that same sense of pride and connection to the craft that I feel when I’m making it.
Your thoughts, your sketches, and your memories deserve a place that’s as lasting as they are. They deserve a home made of honest materials.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read a bit of my story and learn about why I do what I do. It truly means the world to me that you’re here, supporting a small business and valuing the art of handmade goods.
I look forward to seeing where your adventures take you and your Burgundy Leather Journal Cover.
Stay adventurous,
Eric Founder and Owner, The Kilted Leatherworker LLC