Making A Pen Case

[alc3261]

Thanks Christi

I think leatherwork is closer to woodwork than working in material member Alc3261 made some excellent wraps and shared her methods in a thread on pen wraps I will find the thread and edit it in later.

Are you going to the pen show in Dallas I know Texas is a big State I think the red case is going to be there.

 

This is the thread in question.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/240284-pen-wrap/

[my63]

Finally my 90 degree leather clamp is finished now I can make square leather boxes.

The first picture shows the clamp open with two bone folders separating the oak strips

 

IMG_8700_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The second picture shows some thin leather being held in place by the oak strips

 

IMG_8701_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

It started off twice the size but once I put everything together I realised it was too big so I cut it in half.

So I now have two, I have given them a light coat of wax and a quick polish

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[TXKat]

Those are wonderful. I showed the hubby the photos and I'm trying to encourage his 'creativity' so he'll make me one!

[my63]

I have not been able to work on any projects over the last week due to a nasty chest infection however that has given me time to search for new projects in custom bags and get an idea for a pen case.

 

While watching an antiques show on tv I saw this item and thought I have three special pens that need a home.

 

IMG_8807 by my0771, on Flickr

 

A little smaller here and a little taller there and voila a three pen case,

 

I the odd minute I have been able I took a piece of 5 mm leather which I marked out 180 mm high and trimmed I left it long until I decided how to get the required shape.

Using three pieces of dowel taped together and wrapped in thick kitchen towel I made the form then soaked the leather and wrapped it around.

 

IMG_8803 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here you can see the wet leather around the form the kitchen towel stops the leather falling into the gaps between the dowels as it dries out.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Mdorty]

Wow, that's pretty cool. Definitely something I'd like to try.

The creativity in this thread is crazy

[my63]

I would encourage you to have a go if I can help just ask

[Fox Point]

Thank you again for your blog, Michael. It is inspirational as always.

 

Cheers!

[my63]

Time has flown and I have not made much progress with this case I have three special pens that need a home so I have returned to this case.

 

I have lined the interior with black suede I then made three pieces of cardboard which I wrapped in suede and rolled into tubes.

 

IMG_8964 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I should have realised that this would be almost impossible to sew together I managed to do it by cutting two needles in half and using a pair of pliers to put the needles through the leather.

 

I cut a piece of leather to join the top and bottom which I wrapped in yellow nappa leather.

 

IMG_8966 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_8970 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_8973 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Some of the suede needs to be trimmed before I start the final sewing. which will be in yellow thread the case will be black the next time you see it.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Over the last few days I have been discussing pen cases with a Gentleman we batted a few ideas around and I have been asked to create a pair of pen cases.

One will be a standard case and the second will be in the style of Nakaya pen case so I made a start today doing light work only as my fractured collar bone is still healing.

 

Oh yes pictures

 

IMG_9036_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

First step wet leather and wooden forms little bit of pressure.

I need to form a piece of Kydex tomorrow this may involve a camera tripod clamps and masking tape should be entertaining.

[plumon]

I have to add my Kudos for a job very well done! Quite impressive and beautiful.

plumon

[my63]

Back to stage one I cut a sheet of kydex into pieces to form the inner sections of this pair of cases

 

IMG_9066_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The cylinder case and the standard case together

 

IMG_9064_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The end of the cylinder case before sanding and finishing

 

IMG_9065_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After double checking the measurements I cut the kydex tube to length no mistakes this time and just in case I have made two

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

So once the kydex is formed I can start to work on the inside cutting a piece of suede larger than required it seems to pull in once the glue dries

 

IMG_9067_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

When I am happy with the placement I apply glue and fold the remainder back over the kydex

 

IMG_9069_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

If I can wait until the glue has dried I will but often I will start forming the leather upper over the kydex and suede pieces

 

IMG_9070_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_9071_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The veg tanned leather is easily formed to the required shape when wet and it will hold that shape once dry

 

I will post the next stages soon

Edited December 6, 2014 by my63

[my63]

The first item dyed was the band that secures the closing flap in place I have added some stitching detail to this band and am a little unsure of how it looks.

 

IMG_9080_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

It is only 15 mm wide and with two rows of stitching looks quite busy.

[alc3261]

The first item dyed was the band that secures the closing flap in place I have added some stitching detail to this band and am a little unsure of how it looks.

 

IMG_9080_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

It is only 15 mm wide and with two rows of stitching looks quite busy.

I think it looks fine.

[my63]

Thanks Alc3261 I think the owner will like it too, I am hopeing to finish them today they are going to Canada where they will hold some very special pens.

[my63]

The next stage is to dye the leather for those of you with a logical mind or some common sense then yes I should have dyed the leather first, but I have found that as the leather stretches over the form the colour changes.

It might have made life easier if I had dyed the case before gluing it together anyway I did it the hard way.

 

IMG_9073_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

These pictures were taken just after the dying was finished so the colour will lighten a little as it dries it will then darken when the wax is added so the colour is a bit of guess work.

 

IMG_9072_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This picture is the round Nakaya style case the kydex liner is not in the picture but as today progresses I hope that you will see it take shape

 

IMG_9078_1 by my0771, on Flickr.

 

I have used Fiebings leather dye in this project if anyone would like to have a go then I would advise you to dilute the dye 50 / 50 with Fiebings dye reducer and apply more coats, and apply it to wet leather.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Here is the strap in place the case is sewn together using a single piece of thread so it is there to stay and to be honest it is growing on me

 

IMG_9083_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Many people use the size of an M B 149 as a gauge for the size of cases so with that in mind

 

IMG_9092_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The case is designed to hold a pen of 150mm and up to 20mm diameter

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

I have done some more work on the round case things don't always work out as planned
This side I am happy with

 

IMG_9098_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This side I am not happy with

 

IMG_9101_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Sewing leather is not easy so I am afraid it is time to start again.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Mk 2 under construction this time I have dyed the leather and formed it around the kydex cylinder

 

IMG_9103_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_9105_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Having looked closely at the first case I think my stitching holes were not straight causing the issues with the stitching

[my63]

the completed pair of pen cases

 

IMG_9120 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am not providing the toggle for the round case it will be custom made

 

IMG_9118 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_9113_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

These are custom oversize cases with a centre of kydex to offer extra protection for fountain pens

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael