Making A Pen Case

[my63]

I have started sewing the burgundy case together using cream thread the process involves marking lines then using a pricking iron to mark the holes then an awl to actually make the holes for the needles and the thread

 

DSC_0053[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0051[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Having sewn the dark red case last week I was rather unhappy with the stitching on the back of the lower part of the case so I unpicked it and started again today. hand stitching is not easy but I am much happier with todays result.

 

DSC_0087[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Both cases are now sewn together and the edges have been trimmed and I have started sanding them ready for dying and sealing with beeswax.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

The carved bird pen case/journal cover project is stunning!

 

I am extremely impressed by the fact that you are able to make two beautiful pen cases despite the pain you are experiencing.

 

Please make sure to take breaks to ensure you are healing well!

 

 

PS: Apologies for not keeping up with the thread as much as I did before.

Edited February 14, 2016 by Anne-Sophie

[my63]

Hi Anne-Sophie

Thanks for your good wishes they are appreciated the wound has healed now the surgeon used a modified mattress stitch which worked really well.There is still some hypersensitivity and pain which are thought to be an aggravation of my complex regional pain syndrome.

 

I really enjoy the carving process as it cannot be rushed and is quite relaxing once you get started. I need to invest in a larger swivel knife which will be better suited to my hand. There are a couple of guys in the USA who make spectacular swivel knives which I am saving for.

 

As the pair of two pen cases are well on the way I have started another single pen case to give me something to do whilst waiting for the edges to dry between coats.

 

DSC_0098[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

As you can see this case is for a Montblanc 149 the pen will be completely enclosed in the suede wrapped kydex tube like this

 

DSC_0104[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Once the glue had dried on the suede I selected a suitable hide and cut off a piece large enough for the top and bottom pieces.

 

DSC_0113 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After soaking for an hour or so I started to shape the leather around the tube.

 

DSC_0119 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once I was happy with the shape I applied the dye in this case mahogany.

 

DSC_0125 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Before the leather had a chance to dry out I applied some glue and fitted the suede wrapped kydex tube and clamped everything together.

 

DSC_0127 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have put the top piece into a plastic bag to slow down the drying process so I can start to mark out the stitching holes once the bottom is sewn together and trimmed I can use that to form the top piece.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Here are the final pictures of the pair of two pen cases for Nakaya desk pens I am happy with the finished cases here are a few pictures

 

DSC_0151[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0155[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0157[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0159[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

This afternoon I made some of these I call them toggles they are pieces of walnut which I have cut and shaped to form a pen rest they also have a hole which the thong passes through to close the case.

 

DSC_0172[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

This case was designed to hold a Mont Blanc 149 safely as you can see the pen fits perfectly

 

DSC_0169[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

The pen rest in use and the finished case

 

DSC_0165[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Here are todays projects. The first is a cover for three field notes notebooks.

After my success with the bird carvings I was asked to do something a little more challenging here is my first practice.

 

DSC_0139[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step was to make a template for the cover.

 

DSC_0180[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Then to make the actual cover from 2 mm leather

 

DSC_0184[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I rounded the corners using a coin as a guide and used the edging tool to round over the edges of the leather. The leather was then soaked for 6 hours and then placed in a plastic bag over night to prepare it for carving.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

After soaking and other preparations I laid out the leather with a piece of plastic and then the monogram all taped down ready to transfer the design to the leather

 

DSC_0195[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once the transfer is finished

 

DSC_0196[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Before the leather dried out I applied the oxblood dye

 

DSC_0200[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

When I finished the carving it was clear the "M" was not right after the dye had dried out I decided to start again.

 

DSC_0216[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

my first effort at the carving did not meet my expectations the "M" did not look right and the horizontal lines were not as square to the edge of the notebook as I would like. So here is MK 2.

I used masking tape on my slab and marked the edges of the cover and then marked the horizontal lines from the monogram like this.

 

DSC_0220[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I transferred the lines of the monogram to the wet leather and then used a swivel knife to cut them into the leather.

 

DSC_0222[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Then I added some colour.

 

DSC_0223[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Edited February 23, 2016 by my63

[Anne-Sophie]

Beautiful! I consider the first version of the "pharmacy design" red Field Note holder gorgeous and wondered why you wanted to do it again.

 

I really had to scrutinize the piece to see that the M did not absorb the dye evenly, you really are a perfectionist Mike.

 

Thank you for sharing your artistry!

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie

I was not happy with the "m" from the moment I cut it and should have stooped at that point.

The replacement is almost finished now and I am starting the next project.

[my63]

Here are my final pictures of the carved fieldnote's cover The final coats of dye are still drying off.

 

DSC_0241 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This picture shows the edges there are three pieces of leather joined together here, It also gives an idea of the depth of the carving.

 

IMG_20160226_161132 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

In my last post, I forgot to compliment the utterly beautiful squarish pen cases for the Nakayas, true works of art!

 

A toogle pen rest is a genius idea, it adds usefulness to class to the pen case.

 

The Field Note cover is really astonishing! The depth of the carving paired with the beautifully rich color is really something! The stitching color contrast is perfect for it!

 

 

The new writing slope on your blog, looks like quite a find, a unique piece full of history.

 

It is the first time, I have seen such a complex writing slope.

Edited February 28, 2016 by Anne-Sophie

[my63]

Thanks again I have just received a message to say that the Nakaya cases have arrived safe and well I have posted some pictures of them in use.

The toggle was not my idea but I enjoy making them.

The leather covered writing slope is something I have been wanting for some time. It is my first leather covered one although I do have a collection.

 

I don't have any commissions or orders at this time so I have started something I have been considering for some time it is a zippered case for four oversize pens and possibly an A6 plus note pad.

 

This is my template which may actually end up inside the finished case

 

DSC_0249[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Zipper

DSC_0191[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have added some leather to the zipper tape to extend the edges.

 

While taking a break from sewing the edges I started looking at the inside.

 

DSC_0253[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I used a 21 mm dowel to help me to form the shape of the pen slots

 

DSC_0255[1] by my0771, on Flickr

[Anne-Sophie]

You were right, the Nakaya pen cases are even more impressive with the pen in them, the color match is so stunning that it looks like you had the burgundy pen right next to the case when you decided on the dye choice. Sooooo beautiful!

 

I believe that people are going to be very impressed by this beauty, a document case (cartable design in French) very classic lines: https://my63leather.wordpress.com/2015/09/24/new-document-case/

 

Apologies if you think it should go in the "making a briefcase" thread.

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie the owners are very happy with their cases and yes the pens are fantastic I wish I had been able to borrow the Nakaya desk pens but alas no.

 

Back to the zippered case I was very unsure about this project so I decided just to get on with it.

 

DSC_0263[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is a trial fit it looks out of square in the picture but it was not.

 

I decided to add a note pad opposite the pen slots and this requires a cut in the leather and to prevent this from tearing I punched a hole at each end. As this would allow the backing card to show when no pad was fitted I lined that side of the card with leather.

 

DSC_0269[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Sometime later I had fitted the inner cover to the backing card stretching the leather over the edges. In this picture you can see the zipper with its leather extensions.

 

DSC_0270[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Fitting the zipper around the inner section was quite tricky but I got there in the end

 

DSC_0277[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0281[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Outer cover next.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

Thanks Anne-Sophie the owners are very happy with their cases and yes the pens are fantastic I wish I had been able to borrow the Nakaya desk pens but alas no.

 

Back to the zippered case I was very unsure about this project so I decided just to get on with it.

 

DSC_0263[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is a trial fit it looks out of square in the picture but it was not.

 

I decided to add a note pad opposite the pen slots and this requires a cut in the leather and to prevent this from tearing I punched a hole at each end. As this would allow the backing card to show when no pad was fitted I lined that side of the card with leather.

 

DSC_0269[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Sometime later I had fitted the inner cover to the backing card stretching the leather over the edges. In this picture you can see the zipper with its leather extensions.

 

DSC_0270[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Fitting the zipper around the inner section was quite tricky but I got there in the end

 

DSC_0277[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC_0281[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Outer cover next.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

 

 

Genius design as usual!

[my63]

I am not too sure about genius but thanks.

 

Many years ago as an apprentice I remember being told measure twice and cut once and it is a rule I try to follow. but it is also important to measure the right place. What do I mean ? when the case is open flat it measures 330 mm wide when the case is closed the measurement changes to almost 350 mm.

 

Here everything is fine

 

DSC_0292[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here it is 18 mm short

 

DSC_0286[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I just need to come up with a creative solution to this problem without wasting leather.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

The note book has arrived and it fits fine.

 

DSC_0293[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

There are a number of possible solutions to the issue of the cover the easiest is to start over but that is also the most expensive.

Cutting the front back and spine pieces and joining them together, or cutting a new spine piece that wraps around the front and back pieces.

.