Making A Pen Case

[my63]

There are a few projects running through the dark recesses of my mind this is one of them everything but the pen slots will be black

 

IMG_0256_1 by Michael Young, on Flickr

 

I thought you might like a little look.

[Anne-Sophie]

You latest projects are fantastic!

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie

 

If you like that you are going to love this

 

IMG_0263_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Sorry that is the inside view this is the inside I mean the outside which is currently inside

 

IMG_0262_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

You will get what I mean eventually

[Anne-Sophie]

Thanks Anne-Sophie

 

If you like that you are going to love this

 

IMG_0263_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Sorry that is the inside view this is the inside I mean the outside which is currently inside

 

IMG_0262_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

You will get what I mean eventually

 

I get it! Inside out.

 

Beautiful, I must say.

[my63]

Anne-Sophie yes you have it inside out

 

I now have all of the outer pieces ready for final assembly.
This picture shows one of the sides attached to the base

 

IMG_0267_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is the other side piece ready to be attached to the base and the other side

 

IMG_0265_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am calling this the interior module I have finished one side of pen slots they will be faced by another set of slots on the opposite side I am hoping to have pockets on the outer edges.

The tricky part is to make sure everything lines up and that is todays project

 

IMG_0268_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Todays project is to make the handle.

I have some pieces of dyed blue leather soaking in cold water this will allow it to take on the required shape.

 

IMG_0272_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0270_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

These are the original pieces that made up the handle I did not keep the original D rings as they were badly worn.

[my63]

No messing around today

 

IMG_0275_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0273_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

It still needs to dry and be sewn together then I will decide if it is good enough back to sewing the pink pen slots.

[my63]

I have been asked to make a single pen case so here it is

 

IMG_0279_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0282_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I rolled a tube of kydex and lined the inside with cognac coloured suede.

 

IMG_0286_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The outer leather cover has been soaking in water for a couple of hours I have a special set of grips which are wrapped in leather to help me shape it around the kydex tube.

[stonezebra]

What very cheery and distinctive colors on this case!

[my63]

Thanks Stonezebra the pink and blue go well together

 

Time to add a little colour this is called mahogany nice rich colour it will lighten as it dries

 

IMG_0289_1 by my0771, on Flickr

[my63]

Almost finished

 

IMG_0302_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0304_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

It will be off to its new home next week

[mhguda]

You work so fast now!

[my63]

Thanks mhguda

The more I make the better and faster they seem to get this is the final picture of this case all of the edges have been dyed and polished the thong ends have been housed in little antique gold coloured caps

 

IMG_0330_1 by my0771, on Flickr

[mhguda]

It looks fabulous.

[my63]

I have been asked to make a custom case for a Raw Ebonite Danitrio pen I like Ebonite and I am a big fan of Japanese pens so I could not refuse.

 

The requested colours are green inside and black outside with green stitching.

Not having any green leather or thread I decided to dye my own I have some green dye for a teacher gift project which I will share later.

 

So late last night I started dying and had this this morning

 

IMG_0335_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Previously I have made the case solid at the bottom which has made it difficult to get the leather or suede right to the bottom my genius ide is to leave a little hole in the bottom which I pull the bottom of the liner through and the cut it off flush.

 

IMG_0337_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I also usually end the liner on the line where the lid ends which disguises the little bump as I have used leather which is thicker than suede I have carried it right to the bottom. Only the top 5 mm will be seen and no one but me would have noticed the slightly larger bump but I would have known it was there.

 

IMG_0338_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Just the outer to dye and shape then take the thread out of the dye and sew it together.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

I have to admit I really like this colour combination so much that I have spent most of today getting it to this point

 

IMG_0346_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Most of the components are ready I just need to dye a length of thong which I have put away some where safe (I just need to remember where). I think it might look good green.

 

The thread has come out a little patchy it is waxed thread so I soaked it in hot water to remove the wax after dying I will need to re apply bees wax to sew with it.

[Namo]

Impressive! The color is really nice and matching what I had in mind. If I may : it's really nice to be able to follow the "making of", and with the comments of the artist! Thanks Michael!

Edited June 1, 2015 by Namo

[my63]

Thanks Namo

I am pleased that you are enjoying the process, I like to share both success and failure and I have to say that my idea to dye the thread in the same colour has not been a success.

I have ordered some green thread I use Tiger thread in 0.8mm if anyone is interested which should arrive in the next couple of days.

This will cause a delay in finishing the case which is unfortunate.

[Frank C]

I really enjoy looking at the photos of the pen cases in progress. Keep up the good work!

[my63]

Thanks Frank it gives me great pleasure I am in the process of starting a blog so I can share more details

 

I have now finished sewing the pen slots and have drawn the bottoms in by running a line of stitching through the end and pulling it tight, now that is finished I have made the pockets and you will be able to see them in the picture below.

 

IMG_0362_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This angle may give a better idea how the pockets fit in, I may allow a little more space in the pockets however I think the leather will give during use.

 

The next stage is to glue and sew the pink leather insert to the grey board structure.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

IMG_0365_1 by my0771, on Flickr