Fattoad Press

Working on the online shop and updated website for Fattoad Press, which will go live next month

The binding has a soft cover made of Gmund thick paper, with a Khadi handmade paper book block. It is a simple-looking binding, but the content has an excellent, stress-free opening, which allows the pages to lie completely flat. This will be part of my new collection on writing, journaling and paper.

The products in the Workplace Collection are deliberately quiet. A desk pad, a mouse pad, a ‘block’ book. Useful pieces for a working surface.

Much of the work is in the small decisions. The size has to feel useful without taking over the desk. The stitch needs to be present, but not decorative. The edges are finished cleanly, but not disguised. The product should still feel like leather, paper, thread and handmade. More on the Journal.

What began with a hand-stitched leather Desk Pad, Mouse Pad, and Block book (lay-flat book) has grown into a small collection of objects for the working day. Pieces designed to work together or stand alone, and to bring a quieter, more considered feel to the desk. More on the Journal.

Front and back views of a pocket for a Padfolio showing skived edges on the back.

Working on the template for the next object in the Workplace Collection, a padfolio. Allowing you to organise and carry documents and notes.

Leather is commonly tanned in two ways, each suited to different purposes. Vegetable tanning uses natural tannins from bark and plant matter. It is a slow process that creates a firmer, denser leather with more character than chrome-tanned leather.

Chrome tanning uses chromium salts to stabilise hides quickly. It produces a soft, flexible, and uniform leather, widely used in mass production.

Over time, vegetable-tanned leather develops a rich patina and can last for decades when properly cared for. Chrome-tanned leather is durable, but prioritises consistency and softness over ageing.

I use vegetable-tanned leather for its structure, longevity, and the way it improves with use.

In use, this means a leather that feels firm in the hand, softens gradually, and records its life through marks and handling. Each piece develops its own surface, shaped by time rather than remaining unchanged.

All Fattoad Press products use high-quality vegetable-tanned leather, sourced from trusted tanneries including Lamport Leather.

Workspace is a collection of objects designed to work together or stand alone, bringing quiet confidence to your desk.

This first release introduces the desk pad and mouse pad.

Each piece is made from mid-blue Lamport leather, hand-stitched around the edges, and finished with a dark grey felt backing. The result is a stable, tactile surface that feels solid under hand and comfortable for daily use.

The collection will be offered as individual pieces or as a complete set, in a selection of colours.

Lamport is a vegetable-tanned leather with a consistent finish and rich, even colour. The lightly aniline-surface retains the natural grain while providing a more refined feel.

It’s fully coloured on both sides, which allows for a cleaner edge and a more resolved finish in smaller pieces.

There’s a slight waxiness to the touch, adding durability and a subtle depth that develops with use.

It holds its shape well, while still allowing for moulding and embossing where needed. It’s the leather used throughout the Workspace collection.

I’m introducing the first collection: Workspace.

Each piece is designed and handmade using natural leather, high-quality paper, and natural ink.

Functional, tactile objects made to last.

The first part of the collection will be shown next week.

The handmade wastebasket is of Lamport Medium Tan leather with a hardwood base and hand-stitched using heavy white thread.

Handmade wastebasket with hardwood base, in Lamport Medium Tan leather.

Working on a template for my next project. At Fattoad Press, every item begins with a template—my way of guaranteeing neat edges, tight alignment, and a consistent finish.

Sewing a cover for a Moleskine A6 book, using grey leather with silver grey thread. Part of the Fattoad Press custom packages.

A handmade landscape book for an artist, suitable for drawing, painting or other media. Quarter binding with cloth spine and blue and white paper sides.

Sewing the latest product to add to the product line for Fattoad Press, which will be going live in the next couple of months.

I saw this post from Marcel Wichmann today, which I thought was fitting: ‘a sketchbook as a daily companion’.

‘Something about a sketchbook as a daily companion for life has always fascinated me. Sitting somewhere and sketching what’s around you feels like the purest form of mindfulness’. Marcel Wichmann

Lamport sky blue and mid-blue arrived today. New leather for new products, coming soon!

A slow sort of toad morning down by the river.

The handmade notebook is hand-made using Lamport Burgundy leather and hand-stitched using 0.6mm Tiger thread.

A small notebook, hand-stitched and bound in the studio.

I’m in the early stages of sharing handmade books, leather objects, papers, and prints—quiet craftsmanship, real materials, and the joys of making by hand.

More posts and work-in-progress glimpses are coming soon.

Feel free to check back or follow along.