1. STAIN LEATHER WITH OLIVE OIL
Here we have selected a 1.6mm thick vegetable tanned leather, however, we recommend choosing a leather of around 1.2mm for nicer corners.
Soak the leather with olive oil using a wide brush. Apply at least two coats, trying to apply the same amount of oil everywhere. Let the oil soak into the leather for at least a day, preferably in front of a window (so it tans).
You can also dye the leather with a water-based or alcohol-based dye.
DYEING GUIDE >
2. PRINT THE PATTERN
Print the pattern in actual size (download it in the tab at the top of the page).
Cut out the pattern, leaving a 5 mm margin around the lines. Then place and hold the pieces on the piece of leather using masking tape. 
3. PUNCH THE SEWING HOLES
Make the various sewing holes by hitting a round punch (Ø 1.5 mm) with a mallet. Center to center distance: 6.5 mm.
Using a cutter and a ruler: cut the different pieces of leather. 
4. MAKE FURROWS AT THE LEVEL OF THE PLEATS
Using a furrow: remove material/make a furrow at each fold on the back of the leather (split side). 
5. WORKING THE LEATHER SLICES
If necessary, square and sand the edges of the vegetable tanned leather.
Then apply tokonole (or another finishing eraser) to the edge and rub briskly with a smoothing pad or cloth.
SEE THE TOKONOLE GUIDE >
6. FORM THE PLEATS
Use a smoothing tool to form the folds of the gift. 
7. START CROSS LACED STITCHING
Cut the thread (here braided and waxed polyester Ø 0.80 mm): generally equivalent to 4 or 5 times the length of the sewing line. Then thread a needle at each end of the thread. Start sewing by passing the needles twice through the first hole (see photo no. 1). 
Make the different cross seams of the gift (see photo no. 2).
At the end of the seam, pass the needles through the last holes twice and bring them out. Tie a knot and burn the thread (only if using polyester thread). 
8. CUT 5 STRIPS
Cut 5 strips 10 cm long (1 cm wide) and work the slices with a finishing gum (tokonole, tragacanth gum, etc.). 
9. ATTACH A STRAP TO THE GIFT HAT
Make two 1.5 mm diameter holes at each end of the five strips. On one of the strips: make four holes in the center (to be able to attach the knot - next step).
Attach one of the straps to the gift "hat" using 2 double crochet stitches (pass the thread through at least 3 times). 
10. TIE THE GIFT KNOT
To form the leather knot, bend 3 strips and align the holes at the ends with the 4 holes drilled (in step 9) in the center of one of the strips. Secure all the strips together using double crochet stitches. 
11. TIE THE STRAP WITH THE KNOT
Attach the strap with the knot to the "hat" of the gift using 2 double crochet stitches (pass the thread through at least 3 times). 
12. CROSS LACED STITCHING
Finish by cross-stitching the 4 sides of the gift “hat”. 
IT'S OVER!
THEO PEDERSEN'S VERSION
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