Making A Pen Case

[fountainpagan]

Looking good, Michael, looking good

 

I love The Big Bang Theory!

[my63]

Here are the first two notebook covers sewn together just waiting to have the edges finished the red is looking a little pinkish it is darker in person

 

IMG_0729_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is the interior

 

IMG_0730_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I cut all three pieces with the same template and yet the red one is slightly smaller and I have no idea why

[Espada4u]

I think it can occur if you used the template to cut it out on the flesh side of the leather instead of the finished sides which might have been for the others. If you cut the flesh side up and the others finished side up the difference will be the thickness of the leather. Hope that makes sense.

Great work as always, I enjoy seeing your progress on these projects, it inspires me to get back to work. Keep it going we appreciate it. Roger

[my63]

Thanks Roger

I always mark and cut on the flesh side although it is possible I have flipped one of them over when cutting.

As ever I am still learning there are so many different ways of doing things.

I would love to see some of your work if you would like to share

Michael

[my63]

Here are the finished covers

 

IMG_0739 by my0771, on Flickr

 

It took a little persuasion but I got the notebooks inside eventually.

[my63]

Sometimes I am unsure about something with a project and I just stop and think for a while there was something about this case I did not like,
I had used the leather side of the skin rather than the suede side because the suede side was not so good, it did not look right so I have used another piece of suede and I am happy so I can now put this case together

IMG_0697_1 by my0771, on Flickr

The front piece where the suede shows was also slightly uneven that has also been corrected.

Actually today may have been a good day to stay in bed yesterday I made a kydex tube for another case

 

IMG_0758_3 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Which I then wrapped in suede

 

IMG_0772_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

As this case is for a M B 149 sized pen I tried a 149 in it only to find it did not fit I am putting this down to the thickness of the suede and poor math so I will keep that tube for a smaller case and have started again.
The tube is rolled and I am currently rounding off the end.

[my63]

My focus this afternoon was the Blackhawk case,

I cut a piece of kydex to fit inside the stitching line it is not easy to sew through kydex

 

IMG_0793_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step is to glue the two pieces together

 

IMG_0794_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once the pieces are joined together it is time to mark out an punch the holes for stitching

 

IMG_0796 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0799_2 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0800_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0802_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Time to sharpen my knife to cut off the excess

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

The Blackhawk case is approaching the final stages

 

IMG_0807_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0811_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am not too happy with this front edge so I plan on sanding it smooth and re applying the finish

 

IMG_0814_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Buster99]

Hello Michael,

 

Very, very nice and I see that your stitching is getting near to perfect!

 

Best Regards,

Marc

[my63]

Thanks buster99 I put a lot of effort into my cases and the stitching it is not as easy as it looks

 

Whilst waiting for things to dry I have started the next project a round case with a cognac suede interior and a mahogany leather exterior

 

IMG_0820 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here are the two pieces of leather which will form the body and the lid pieces.
If anyone would like the details I am using 2.5 mm shoulder.

[my63]

The Blackhawks case has left the building as they say and is on its way to its new home.

I have turned my attention back to the four pen case and the single case in mahogany I cant show you the four pen case but I can show the mahogany

 

I soaked the two pieces in cold water for a couple of hours after this I formed it around the inner piece and used an adapted metal workers clamp to stretch the leather around the inner piece.

 

IMG_0833 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After forming I applied the dye to both pieces counting the number of coats on each piece so they should be the same colour

 

IMG_0835 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step was to form the lid around the rear of the bottom section

 

IMG_0838 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I will leave it to dry for a while.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

And so to the next stage the case is not yet dry so care must be taken as the leather is very soft when wet even finger nails will leave a mark.
My pricking iron has marked the leather but has not pierced all the way through, I prefer to sew things together before they dry fully as the leather will pull together easily, although if you pull to hard you can tear through the hole.
I then use an awl to make the hole for the thread.

 

IMG_0841_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The main draw back is some dye transfer to the thread and of course to my hands but it wears off in a few days or if necessary it can be sanded off hands easily.

[my63]

Almost there

 

IMG_0851_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0849_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Edges thong and toggle are next

[my63]

Another case is going to its new home today this one is designed to hold and protect an M B 149

 

IMG_0865_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0867_2 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[fountainpagan]

Great job, Michael, great job!!

[my63]

Thanks Fountainpagan I really do appreciate the complement.

 

Things have slowed up for a few days while I have been under the weather but I am back to normal now well normal for me

 

I am still putting the final touches to the four pen case the owner asked me to surprise him so I can't share the pictures until it has been delivered

[fountainpagan]

Those book covers look splendid, too. Sheldon would be thrilled

 

I hope it is goind to be delivered soon, that pen case, so you can delight our eyes.

[my63]

I should have been posting the finished case this weekend unfortunately I have had a catastrophe with the inside cover it is a long story, but in essence the glue bubbled overnight and when I added more glue it bled through and marked the leather.

The case was finished at this point and was going to be in the post the same day.

I have re dyed the leather and am waiting for it to dry now.

I will post pictures as soon as it is finished.

[amk]

Wow, I've just read all the way through this thread. That pink and blue case is gorgeous! Must be hard work, doing everything inside out - it would really mess with my brain. :-)

 

It is really fantastic to be able to follow these projects through all their different stages. I particularly enjoy reading the posts when you are thinking through what to make and how to do it, and seeing the different ideas, some good, some not quite as good, before the final product emerges. It's almost as good as being in the workshop.

 

I'm now working on my first project - a poor little leather handbag with decayed stitching that I picked up cheaply as it was falling to bits. I've dismantled it and I'm now stitching it back together. Not as easy as it looks!

[my63]

Hi Amk

 

Thanks for reading the thread I hope that you are going to share some pictures of your bag I would like to see them. I don't know everything but would be happy to help if I can.

The inside out thing is tricky at times trying to work out the order of assembly is also quite a challenge.

 

I have had a quick look at your blog very informative the Brahmam pen is very interesting it looks more like a Parker than some Parkers I own, I once bought a Wilson thinking it was a Parker I passed it on to a friend who collects pens from India.

My own blog is up and running now my plan is that it will have more detail than these short posts in case anyone wants to have a go themselves.