map frame project

[madPete]

So a friend has commissioned me to build a leather map frame to protect a map and which rolls up and fits into her map case.

map size is approx 16 X 22. essentially it will be like a picture frame, with the back tooled with a similar map.

so here are the humble beginnings:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/R1jYmTuiId6Mc3UKcJl5YIsHQv063_3yt8uZINcLaKo?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sMYcf0dj8toRZ8T3S6USo4sHQv063_3yt8uZINcLaKo?feat=directlink

Remember measure twice cut once? Well, half the challenge in leather is a good plan and accurate measurements. For the

map to fit and have the frame stitched around the edge to hold it in place, I added 3/4 inch to dimensions. the stitching will

be 1/4 inch from the edge all the way around, so the overall size has to be sightly larger to accomodate the map.

One challenge here is that we need a thin piece of leather so that it rolls up with the stitched frame around it.

This is diametrically opposed to stamping a pattern in the leather. The thicker the leather, the more depth you get when you

tool it. So this is the thinnest leather I think I can tool sufficiently.

Basically the leather is dampened, the map laid over it and pinned in place. Now with a ball point pen I trace the pattern onto

the damp leather. This leaves a pattern to work with.

Then with a swivel knife, the traced lines are cut.

Then the work begins: using edge stamps and shaders, the edges along the cut lines will be stamped.

once complete, it will be stained and a protective finish follows

ZThen the the strips in the photo will be stitched to the opposite side of the tooling. then the map can be slid inside the frame.

When you roll it up you see the tooled map on the leather.

mP

[William Brand]

Wow. When you challenge yourself, you challenge yourself. That's one I'd find very daunting, so I look forward to the progress shots and the big finish.

[madPete]

At this point I have traced and cut all the tracings. hard to see some of it as the leather dries...

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ioc9QUwpTIpahGH1WkWdiIsHQv063_3yt8uZINcLaKo?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2XJLMTzHcN5g083xit39yosHQv063_3yt8uZINcLaKo?feat=directlink

mP

[madPete]

somehow I deleted the files showing the tooling before stain...

The color turned out a bit darker than I expected, but will still work... oh well here is progress:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hw2W1DMifvOHKcQF87Bi-osHQv063_3yt8uZINcLaKo?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QPvgPmIoQ_Um5qciZKDLX4sHQv063_3yt8uZINcLaKo?feat=directlink

mP

[William Brand]

I really like the design. It has a very authentic, early colonial look to it.

[Diosa De Cancion]

And as the woman who commissioned it, can I even tell you how excited I am seeing this come along!!!! (So excited I even found my pub password when Pete told me he was putting the progress reports up here :) )

I was lucky enough to win the auction for the map case he made for the Dead Men's Chest Auction at Fort Taylor a couple years back, and I can't wait to have the sister map frame to go with it and be a part of my Port Royal presentation!!

Beautiful Pete, just beautiful!!

[madPete]

Stitched the Border on yesterday. Will put up some more pics of the finished project shortly:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iN8yZnhJo7Ujxixy1RCwt4sHQv063_3yt8uZINcLaKo?feat=directlink

mP

[William Brand]

Are you watching period films like I do when I work on these sorts of things?

[madPete]

usually, I do watch films in the background... lately its been master and commander, and last of the mohicans

mP

[madPete]

Here is the border completely stitched all the way around...

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dzowgk2JAr-aUK_tH-hz7osHQv063_3yt8uZINcLaKo?feat=directlink

mP

[Diosa De Cancion]

It's looking amazing, Pete, just amazing!!!

[madPete]

OK here is the completed project, TADA!

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wzSVrsfdhu9OXXfhnow_U4sHQv063_3yt8uZINcLaKo?feat=directlink

mP

[peglegstrick]

Now that be a case worthy of a fine map!

[Diosa De Cancion]

Pete, that is just wonderful!I love that I now have the 1668 Port Royal map on the outside of the doc case, then my 1756 map inside :) Beautiful work sir, as always!!! Thank you!!! Now I can't wait to see it in person!!

[William Brand]

I can't wait to see it in person.

[Captain Jim]

Very nice.