Making A Pen Case

[my63]

Here is the next instalment I soaked the pieces of leather for the covers in cold water before starting to form them onto the card.

 

IMG_0500_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As you can see there is now a pair of roses in an ideal world I would have dyed the leather first however experience has shown that the leather stretches and the colour changes so this time I am dying after the forming process.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

I have started adding the dye to the leather each piece of leather takes dye in a different way the first cover I wanted what I call an antique look so I applied the dye to dry leather which gives a mottled antique look.

 

IMG_0510_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This cover I wanted a balanced colour so I applied the dye to wet leather

 

IMG_0506_1 by my0771, on Flickr.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

The second rose cover is mahogany in colour I am not sure I have got the mix correct for this colour it will lighten as it dries I want the red to show through more, I will wait to see what it is like when it dries.

 

IMG_0522_1 by my0771, on Flickr

[my63]

This is the half way point I have finished the first two covers so this one is number three this is the front view as you can see I have punched the holes with a stitching punch.

 

IMG_0528_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is the inside view I am not a fan of unfinished leather so I have filled the gap with a piece of black suede

 

IMG_0533_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here is number two with the notebook inside.

 

IMG_0526_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

If anyone is interested in making a cover I have found it is best to mark out the leather whilst it is wrapped around the notebook in the closed position, marking the top bottom left and right.
I marked lines and added 15mm to each side and 10 mm top and bottom then glued the pieces together using a pair of dividers I marked 5 mm inside these edges for stitching and punched the holes

[my63]

When sewing a cover there are two options cut first and use the dividers to mark inside the cut line and punch or the method I chose find the edge of the notebook mark around it and then stitch once that is finished use the dividers to mark the cutting lines like in the picture the join the dots up with a steel rule and cut.

 

IMG_0537_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

No need for a late night tonight all four covers are finished and the notebooks are installed

 

IMG_0540_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

They are ready to be wrapped up for my son to deliver tomorrow

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Back to the main project.

 

Yesterday I fitted the base section which I had wrapped in the pink leather I fitted the feet at the same time

 

IMG_0546_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I also replaced the white thread in the handle with the blue if you look closely you can see the holes for the fixing items either rivets or bolts

 

IMG_0547_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The insert is ready to be fitted into the case I have sewn two small strips of leather to stop the pen slots from spreading too far apart

 

IMG_0549_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is a trial fit of the insert

 

IMG_0550_1 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/]my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Edited June 24, 2015 by my63

[my63]

I have spent this afternoon putting all of the pieces together it is just a trial but this is the first time it has all been together

 

IMG_0552_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0558_2 by my0771, on Flickr

[stonezebra]

What a beautiful case! Lucky recipient.

[my63]

I learnt an important lesson last night don't fiddle

 

IMG_0564_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I had refitted these catches and broken off one of the tabs last night I just wanted to tighten up the catch a little and broke off the other tab there is no access to the other side of the lower part of the catch. and it is not possible to find a replacement catch.

This needs to be a permanent repair so I plan on using another micro bolt and will have to cut a slot in the base section to allow the bolt to be fitted in place

 

IMG_0567_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is the new bolt in place I have added a little superglue to hold it in place whilst I fasten it in place I will give it an hour or so to set.

[my63]

Final assembly is fast approaching I have replaced the rivets in the handle with the same bolts used in the sides I also plan on replacing the rivets in the lock as well it is not the perfect solution but it is the best I can find.
I know it may not look any different but it is now strong enough so I know it will never come off

 

IMG_0568_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

here is the inside view the bright pieces are the inside frame I have made the holes tight so each bolt is screwed through the outer frame then the leather then the bright work and finally the nut which will be held in place by thread lock, these bolts are not coming out easily

 

IMG_0570 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The base

 

IMG_0574_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is the end piece the question is should I add a second row of stitches from the top to the bottom and if I do should it continue across the top and down the other side I am not sure whether or not too there is no stress on this area the case will not open this far when assembled

 

IMG_0575_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

All did not go as well as planned I have started stitching up the sides as you can see in the upper part of the picture below.

 

IMG_0580_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

In the second picture there is a small gap of about 4 mm where the unfinished leather can be seen so I have decided to take the metal frame off and resolve the issue by adding more pink,

 

IMG_0582_1 by my0771, on Flickr

[my63]

I have a couple of little pieces to tidy up but other than those the case is finished.

 

I started with this pile of leather

 

IMG_9888_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

And finished up with this

 

IMG_0586_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is the sliding catch that caused me so much trouble

 

IMG_0587_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The edges where the unfinished leather showed through have now been covered in pink leather excuse the finger

 

IMG_0589_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The pens in those slots are 150 mm long and 21 mm in diameter at the cap so it will hold 20 large pens as well as the two side pockets there is also space on each side for smaller note books.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Edited June 29, 2015 by my63

[my63]

I am very fortunate at the moment as one project is packed ready for shipping after sweeping up and washing all my work surfaces I started my next project.

This is a four pen case the brief is to make it as thin as possible whilst still being able to hold a M B 149 size pen.

 

I am going to try to keep the thickness of this case to 30 mm my recent 3 pen cases came out at 40 mm.

 

IMG_0598_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The starting point is plywood three pieces cut to 220 mm x 200 mm and then glued together to form a nice strong bond

 

IMG_0595_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The edges are still a little untidy but they are not important tomorrow I will cut out the shape of the case.

[Anne-Sophie]

Beautiful projects!

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie

 

Having laminated my three pieces of 10 mm plywood together and marked out the shape of the case the next stage was to cut out the shape of the case.

 

IMG_0600_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have started sanding all around the plug and the outer frame the leather is about 2 mm thick so if I sand 1 mm off all of the edges that should be sufficient.
The inside size is 98 mm but that will soon be taken up by the kydex and suede linings. more details will follow

[Anne-Sophie]

Thanks Namo I cant believe it arrived so quickly I sent a similar case to the USA the week before and it has not arrived yet.

 

Stonezebra I have to agree when I was first asked for a blue case with pink piping I was unsure however it really does look good

 

IMG_0462_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0464_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0453_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This case is stunning! And, you are indeed a Master Craftsman!

 

I am usually very much of a purist, think Mozart aficionado in Saltzburg or ballet lover in the Paris Opera, as far as restoration is concerned, I think the less the better, but...

 

Your one of a kind restorations, innovations and clever mix of old frames with modern colors and sensibilities have won me over, which is difficult to do, as I am ok with Bejart but find it difficult to relate to Mozart opera in contemporary costumes.

 

Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful talent and enable us to express our admiration.

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie

I have to be honest it was not all my own work I was talking to a member on another forum about a multi pen case possibly a wrap at the same time I was planning on restoring this old case.

During the process I realised the leather was too far gone so our discussion turned to what else could be done to carry 20 pens and some brushes.

I did not choose the colours but I did hand dye the blue there are more than 25 coats of dye (I stopped counting at 25) until I got the colour to a point where I was happy with it I guess it was a collaboration.

It took a lot longer than I planned as I had to learn hoe to work with piping which is made more challenging by the fact the case was inside out.

I enjoy making the large projects but I also enjoy the smaller cases after all not everyone has 20 pens.

Back to mould making for me

[my63]

I booked a collection yesterday for the blue and pink case it left here in the U K mid afternoon 2 nd July and is out for delivery today in New York State USA booked via parcel 2 go in the UK UPS is the courier.

Amazing service

[my63]

I have been asked to make a holder for 5 in x 3 in index cards however I was asked if I could add some kydex to add a little stiffness to assist with writing.

 

This is another new item to me so I thought I would make a sample I had some thin burgundy leather I picked up to make a wallet but have not got around to it yet

 

This is the front piece well the back of the front piece with the two end pieces that hold the cards in place

 

IMG_0604_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The back piece is a little more complex as it has a slot for a pen which I have lined in black suede

 

IMG_0603_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This picture shows the back panels the first piece is the pocket with pen slot the next piece is a full size piece which has the kydex glued to it, then there is another piece of leather glued to the other side to encase the kydex.

Hopefully I have left enough space to get a row of stitches around the edge as it is very difficult to sew through kydex.

[my63]

My sample is almost finished I am just sanding the edges before applying beeswax and burnishing

 

IMG_0610_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

See it is a pen case as well

 

IMG_0606_1 by my0771, on Flickr