Making A Pen Case

[my63]

This two pen case has gone from 3 pieces to 1 piece now I have glued everything together ready for sewing.

 

I am sorry for the quality of the picture as it is dark here now and the flash does funny things to the colours.

 

DSC_1578[1] by my0771, on Flickr

[my63]

Almost there the two pen case is just about finished I will take some better pictures tomorrow

 

DSC_1621[1] by my0771, on Flickr

[strictlyobiter]

Long time lurker, I love the blue colourways you create. They look so classy. How can I snag one of these cases?

[my63]

Hi Strictlyorbiter

Thanks I appreciate your comments if you want to discuss a case just send me a message.

[my63]

Something a little different

 

I am often asked to make unusual cases mostly they are for oversize pens in this case (sorry) I was asked what I could make for little pens namely Kaweco sports.

 

The starting point is a desk top holder for four pens the first dilemma is round or square I agree both.

 

DSC_1646 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The round case is fairly straight forward a strip of leather is cut to the desired length the edges are skived at about a 30 degree angle one on the upper edge the other on the lower edge.

 

DSC_1650 by my0771, on Flickr

 

There is a second strip of thinner leather around the inside to allow the first part of the insert to be fitted.

 

The insert will have four individual tubes which will be the same on both cases.

 

The square case could have been moulded with only one join but where is the fun in that so I have cut four sides and a top and a bottom pieces and a cap for the insert.

 

Please note some assembly is required

 

DSC_1653[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_1656[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once the pieces were cut out each one had to be mitred I just need to join them all together

 

DSC_1658[1] by my0771, on Flickr

[my63]

Sorry the pictures are a little dark

 

The prototype is on the left I have dyed the next version black.

I have also changed the proposed sewing method as I had problems skiving the joint to thin down the joint

 

DSC_1670[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_1685[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

My sewing plan is to cross over the threads behind the joint so that all that will be visible is two parallel lines of stitching

 

Hopefully

[my63]

It seems to have turned out ok

 

DSC_1696[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_1694[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

The inside worked out as planned too

[my63]

Top and bottom pieces made mitred and fitted into the upper and lower sections

 

DSC_1699[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Now for the tricky bit the inside is going to be made in multiple pieces

 

A liner to support the top plate.

 

DSC_1701[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

A top and bottom plate. These two pieces provide support to the tubes that will hold the pens

 

DSC_1707[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Then there will be the four pen tubes and a small strip of leather covered in suede which will hold the lid in place as well as the top plate.

[my63]

I am not sure why I used the red thread to start this case but it sort of dictates the inside of the case which I am about to start.

Here is the top plate in position I plan to make four tubes wrapped in suede which will be fixed to the top and bottom plates which in turn will be fixed to the inside of the case.

 

DSC_1709[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

The support ring for the top

 

DSC_1711[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

A trial fit of the top and bottom sections

 

DSC_1714[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

The idea was for a desk top pen case rather than a carrying case so I did not think about a hinge although it is a possibility

[my63]

This is my plan for the inside this is the first of the suede wrapped tubes test fitted in place

 

DSC_1716[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_1721[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

One down three to go

[my63]

The inside is now finished

 

DSC_1726[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have also sewn the top section in place at a 45 degree angle it is quite difficult to do this although the mitred joint makes life a little easier

 

DSC_1724[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

The bottom is also sewn through at a 45 degree angle

 

DSC_1729[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

The stitching is not as good as I would have liked the angled stitching might have been better in black thread.

 

As a proof of concept I think it works.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

The mini case is now finished.

 

DSC_1736[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_1742[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

I feel I must confess there is a slight issue with this case my original plan did not include mitres to the top and bottom this has meant the inside of the case is 102 mm and the Kaweco pens are 105 mm. This case is a sample to see if I could make a small case. It will sit on my desk I think.

[my63]

I guess this is not a pen case but it is intended to hold pens so it fits in this thread

 

DSC_1767[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

It is not a very complex project well at least it did not appear so at the beginning. There is not going to be a lid of any kind but there are internal dividers which need to be fixed in place.

Here is my plan the outer skin has slots cut in to it from the bottom this will allow the dividers to slide into place and be secured when the base is fitted.

 

Hopefully

[my63]

I am waiting for the correct dye for the previous project so I thought I might try something else.

For some time I have been thinking of making a case instead of using kydex I am trying a different approach leather with a little padding.

Inner leather is yellow nappa with veg tanned shoulder for the outside cotton wadding is the filler

 

DSC_1774[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_1776[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_1778[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_1782[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

 

DSC_1779[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

This type of case is suitable for a large single pen the opening needs to be a little larger as I find it difficult to remove my largest pen with my fingers.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Edited December 23, 2015 by my63

[stonezebra]

That reminds me of an old glasses case I once had. I found squeezing the top of the seamed sides popped the case open a bit wider making it easier to remove the contents. Love the colors.

[my63]

That was the idea in my mind when I made the case it is a little wider than it needs to be to allow the squeezing to open it up a little.

I am planning to unpick the stitching to create a wider opening that will allow larger pens to be gripped

 

I would like to wish all of readers of this thread a Happy Holiday however you celebrate it

 

Michael

[my63]

Now the festivities are over well for 5 days at least I managed to have a couple of hours of peace to finish one project

 

DSC_1799[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Fountain pen follies is the blog so I carved it by hand into the front of the cup. carving like this is very difficult especially for me.

 

DSC_1812[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

The finished pen cup.

[my63]

My problem with this mini case was a change in the design in the middle of making it. I decided to mitre the top and bottom pieces for a better fit this left the inside space a little tight for the pens it was designed for.

 

In order to resolve this issue I have made a strip of leather which I have wrapped in the same red suede that is inside

 

DSC_1919[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

I have been asked to make a pen wrap the requirements were quite straight forward four pockets three for pens and one for spectacles the intention is to carry robust pens in the pen pockets so each one would carry four pens.

 

I laid out the outer shell first and then started on the interior pieces the first picture shows the first pocket sewn on both sides the pens to be carried are 15 mm diameter I used 4 parker 51 s to give the size.

 

DSC_1942[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Two complete and the start of number three.

 

DSC_1945[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Four pockets and the flap. I would like the flap to be finished leather on both sides but previous experience has told me the double thickness will stop the wrap from rolling up.

 

DSC_1955[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael