Making A Pen Case

[my63]

Thanks Sblakers it is really nice to see one of my cases in use.

 

I have been looking for a solution to the problem of using my cases for smaller pens this is my current favourite

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/13128259733_3cfeb56ae8_o.jpg
IMG_6831_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

They are black velvet with a drawstring top

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/13128673794_247b0c6447_o.jpg
IMG_6832 by my0771, on Flickr

 

They fit quite well into the single cases and I am pretty sure they will fit into the multi pen cases.

 

If anyone has any alternative ideas or suggestions I would appreciate it

 

Michael

[Apprenti]

Nice, I like it I don't have any suggestions, just wanted to congratulate you. Nice work

[Sblakers]

Thanks Sblakers it is really nice to see one of my cases in use. I have been looking for a solution to the problem of using my cases for smaller pens this is my current favourite http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/13128259733_3cfeb56ae8_o.jpgIMG_6831_1 by my0771, on Flickr They are black velvet with a drawstring top http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/13128673794_247b0c6447_o.jpgIMG_6832 by my0771, on Flickr They fit quite well into the single cases and I am pretty sure they will fit into the multi pen cases. If anyone has any alternative ideas or suggestions I would appreciate it Michael

This is a similar solution I have been using. I have tibaldi drawstring case that works perfect

[my63]

As you may remember I am in the process of making two ten pen cases for fpn members.

 

They have been on hold for a little while as I wanted to obtain some English bridle leather for the outer cover of one case and it turned out to be harder to get than I first thought.

Anyway to cut a long story short a large piece of bridle back leather was delivered this morning

 

This is Millie she is in charge of checking goods in

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/13263468285_a0b173ee61_o.jpg
IMG_6879_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once passed inspection I was able to open the package the marks are dust from the cardboard packing

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/13263615033_2ff2e49637_o.jpg
IMG_6880_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Bridle leather is stiff and to avoid cracking I used a grove cutter to cut some test groves for folding and stitching

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/13264690945_df4cd68b6f_o.jpg
IMG_6886_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

This morning I started off by trimming the pen slots to size then started smoothing edges and applying edge kote to seal the edges of the leather and to make them look pretty of course.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7073/13290188164_ee22e03657_o.jpg
IMG_6899_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After lunch I laid out the suede I am using to back the pen slots and form the inside of the case I placed a piece of wood on top of the suede and placed the pen slots on top.

Once I was happy with the position of the first pen slot I applied glue and stuck it to the suede.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/13289837285_0f72eee596_o.jpg
IMG_6902_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After this I placed the second set of pen slots on top of the first and applied glue then simply folded the suede over the top and used little spring clamps to hold it in place.

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/13293467853_ac659fa9a4_o.jpg
IMG_6907_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have cut a piece of bridle leather but it would appear that my maths are a little off as it is shorter than I had planned good job I bought extra

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Tinjapan]

Looking good. Very good!

[my63]

Thanks TinJapan I am pleased that you like it as it is your case

 

I did not set out with a fixed design in mind for this case this is the first time I have used bridle leather and the design has changed as I have learnt about the properties of this material.

Bridle leather is stiff and does not bend well the trick is to remove material from the inside of the bend to allow the leather to form the curve but not to remove too much.

Having had problems with my first piece yesterday I tried a longer piece and realised my design was at fault not the material the catch I had chosen was not strong enough to hold the leather in place.

So I have returned to my plan of using one or two small straps and sam browne fasteners to hold the case closed.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Here are some pictures of the bridle leather case and the proposed fasteners please excuse the fingers the leather is not behaving as I would like but I will get there

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/13305300584_acc270588d_o.jpg
IMG_6909_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/13305309284_be02fe23fc_o.jpg
IMG_6912_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[kiavonne]

This is an interesting new experiment. Thanks, Michael!

[my63]

Thanks Kiavonne an experiment is a pretty good way to describe this case I have lost track of the number of hours.

 

The other option for the straps is this one

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/13314166305_a86e399108_o.jpg
IMG_6919_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

A very crude attempt at a nib shaped closure strap once I get approval I will make the two straps and sew them in place I have fitted the studs already

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[French]

the progress and increase in beauty from page 1 until current is amazing. I would never imagine being able to make something so "finished" as your early cases...never mind what you are currently able to make. I guess it is a prime example of practice makes perfect. Please keep updating this thread, I am really enjoying reading it and watching your evolution as a leather worker.

 

French

[Tinjapan]

As in our PM exchanges. Ooooooo That looks good!

[my63]

Thanks to French and TinJapan for the comments I do appreciate them.

 

I have made the two fastening straps they are not perfect it is possible that I may remake them,

Once complete I backed them in black suede, the edges have been sealed with edge kote. If you look closely you can see I have gone round the side with a pair of dividers and marked a line inside the edge for the stitches, I wont be making a grove for the stitches as it would be very difficult to follow the lines with the tool.

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/13326948973_446e6c26ae_o.jpg
IMG_6928_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here is the first one with the holes for the stitches

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/13327538603_407cd5fa89_o.jpg
IMG_6932 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step is to punch the hole for the stud place the straps onto the studs then I can position the straps and glue them then stitch them in place.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Some of you may have noticed that you have not seen the actual case yet well today is the day Thursday and Friday I spent the time making and preparing the straps and skiving the inside of the curves to allow the leather to bend.

 

I made the ends of the straps to resemble fountain pen nibs and spent most of Saturday sewing them into place one of them twice as the thread snapped in the last few holes, I could have spliced in another piece of thread but decided to unpick everything and start again.

 

Ok here is the picture

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/13356914004_d06275c7cd_o.jpg
IMG_6957_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

There is still a long way to go with this case I need to sew the inner section together then stick and sew the inner into the outer case not easy as the bridle leather is very difficult to sew especially for me with the limited use of my right hand.

 

I hope that at least one person out there likes it.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Apprenti]

I hope that at least one person out there likes it. Thanks for looking Michael

I wouldn't worry about that, it looks great Your stitching's very consistent, and I'm impressed that you re-did one of the tabs considering how much hard work went into each of those!

 

Keep up the good work

Joe

[my63]

Thanks Joe

[alc3261]

Some of you may have noticed that you have not seen the actual case yet well today is the day Thursday and Friday I spent the time making and preparing the straps and skiving the inside of the curves to allow the leather to bend.

 

I made the ends of the straps to resemble fountain pen nibs and spent most of Saturday sewing them into place one of them twice as the thread snapped in the last few holes, I could have spliced in another piece of thread but decided to unpick everything and start again.

 

Ok here is the picture

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/13356914004_d06275c7cd_o.jpg

IMG_6957_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

There is still a long way to go with this case I need to sew the inner section together then stick and sew the inner into the outer case not easy as the bridle leather is very difficult to sew especially for me with the limited use of my right hand.

 

I hope that at least one person out there likes it.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Looking good!!

[Tinjapan]

Lookin' good!

[jaypen]

Nice work!, thanks for sharing. I may actually try to make one myself.

[my63]

Thanks Jaypen.

 

I would be happy to help you if I can