This is an optional step, although I think a little design can add a lot to your passport cover. Usually when you do leather designs it is recommended that you use vegetable leather. However, I wasn't able to verify if my leather was vegetable tanned because I randomly bought it in a market in Ecuador (although I'm pretty sure it is not).

Regardless, I think my design came out pretty good considering I used only a hammer and a screwdriver on leather that wasn't vegetable tanned. I highly recommend this design because it is very simple and comprised of only straight lines. Whatever design you choose, make sure that it is feasible with your toolset.

Tips: Dampen the leather before you begin designing; I found that this helped hold the leathers shape better. Make sure you practice on a scrap piece of leather so you can get a feel for how much pressure you can put on the leather. Because we are using a screwdriver you need to be careful that you don't puncture the leather.

After you finish your design now would be the time to dye your leather. I didn't have to because mine had already been dyed.