Making A Pen Case

[my63]

Can anyone spot the mistake here

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/11241788736_6a069dd798_o.jpg

IMG_5870_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

oops

 

M

[my63]

I had missed the piece that holds the flap in place

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/11242892156_66f4594ca0_o.jpg

IMG_5873_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

So I unpicked everything and put it in only to get back to the same point and the thread snapped so I have cut it all out and will start again tomorrow

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[ALPrasetio]

Man... Michael, these cases are just exceptional. How long did it take you to learn how to work with leather? Was it something you just picked up for sheer hobby or is there a background? That red mahogany is to DIE FOR. Seriously, that's a beautiful piece of pen case!! You should sell your failures haha, even those are beautiful!

[my63]

Man... Michael, these cases are just exceptional. How long did it take you to learn how to work with leather? Was it something you just picked up for sheer hobby or is there a background? That red mahogany is to DIE FOR. Seriously, that's a beautiful piece of pen case!! You should sell your failures haha, even those are beautiful!

 

I have used suede and leather for the interior of my boxes for some time but when I saw a custom case made for an FPN member with leather and Kydex and leather that was very strong I decided to have a go.

 

These are my prototypes I have asked some of my friends to try them out for me as I think they need some adjustments to the size.

 

if you want to have a go at making your own case I would be happy to help you

 

Here are my other topics if you want to see where things started and have a few spare minutes

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/227365-little-boxes/

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/244655-bigger-boxes/

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/224142-writing-slope-dilema/

 

 

Michael

[scrivelry]

That case whose stitching you've cut out is just gorgeous!

[my63]

That case whose stitching you've cut out is just gorgeous!

I have just finished sewing it up.

I am really pleased that you like it because it is yours.

 

Michael

[my63]

It might have taken three attempts to stitch this case up but it is done now

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/11278980565_03c2977848_o.jpg

IMG_5892_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/11279056924_8a1a87dc2e_o.jpg

IMG_5890_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

 

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/11278992315_5c5c03bae1_o.jpg

IMG_5889_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

My stitching is improving slowly

i still think I am doing things the wrong way round I still have to finish the edges which means getting the dye out again i dyed all of this batch at the same time as seperate fronts and backs in future i will not dye anything until they have been glued and have the holes and edges ready.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[ALPrasetio]

Saw your previous threads in whole Michael, and all I've gotta say is you have some handy hands on you! Very very nice work and very patient work also. Very admirable!

[koa]

Nice work! About all I can say is that research into scabbard design (as suggested by an earlier commentor, but I would add Japanese scabbards) would be useful. And if the flat back design is not for a reason, something more rounded all around might be good. And with stitching, a baseball stitch can be useful for a project like this, and there are several decorative variations on what is called a "blanket stitch" that can provide a edge for the seam between the front and back. Leather-workers traditionally have done these with leather lacing. (I am torn, scabbards suggest that the pen is mightier than the sword, but the holster is more who is quicker on the draw! )

[my63]

Saw your previous threads in whole Michael, and all I've gotta say is you have some handy hands on you! Very very nice work and very patient work also. Very admirable!

Thanks I fell into leather work in the same way i started with the writing slopes I wanted something ie a writing slope but did not have the budget to buy one so I restored one and now have a significant number ( no I am not going to count them) and yes I probably am a hoarder.

 

Nice work! About all I can say is that research into scabbard design (as suggested by an earlier commentor, but I would add Japanese scabbards) would be useful. And if the flat back design is not for a reason, something more rounded all around might be good. And with stitching, a baseball stitch can be useful for a project like this, and there are several decorative variations on what is called a "blanket stitch" that can provide a edge for the seam between the front and back. Leather-workers traditionally have done these with leather lacing. (I am torn, scabbards suggest that the pen is mightier than the sword, but the holster is more who is quicker on the draw! )

Thanks Koa I have not been making these for long and i am still trying to master English saddle stitch which is not as easy as it looks I have experimented with cross stitch which is what i believe would be needed for a round case, molding a round kydex blanc would be greater challenge.

There are so many things that i want to make and I have a queue of writing slopes waiting restoration. I have always admired Japanese craftsmanship so if you have any links please share them.

the kydex I use is used in the USA for making holsters and knife sheafs.

 

Thanks for taking the time to comment

 

Michael

[Inkysloth]

Very smart!

I like the dark leather & bright stitching very much - almost looks Dr Martenish

[my63]

Hi InkySloth

You are right I had a pair of boots in my teens oxblood colour with the gold thread I remember them well they ended up being painted silver.

 

These are the final two from the first batch cases

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/11321375983_2f330bd3d2_o.jpg

IMG_5910_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/11321286886_7b2d38e0c8_o.jpg

IMG_5907_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

There is another case in this set but it is a custom order for someone who did not want to wait for the next batch but it is in the first stages at the moment.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[richardandtracy]

Brilliant Michael. Is there no end to what you can do?

 

When I played with aircraft interiors, we used Kydex as the aircraft side wall panels until it had to be replaced with something less flammable. Very tough, and relatively easy to mould into complex shapes. Vac forms really well. Incredibly tough.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[my63]

Thanks Richard

I like the way they have turned out

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/11337919974_5ebcbfeb74_o.jpg

IMG_5951_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am planning on making some more cases

I am very interested in learning about vac forming for both leather and kydex so if you have any information I would appreciate it.

Regards

 

Michael

[huy3825]

Hey, they look amazing!

Edited December 13, 2013 by huy3825

[alc3261]

Received today -

2 Pen Cases from Michael!!

The Black one will hold a really big pen, think MB149 or bigger.

The smaller Brown one will hold a biggish pen like a Jinhao X450/750, my Visconti HS Oversize only just doesn't fit.

Great work Michael.

[my63]

These are the two cases I sent to Alc3261

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/11338083963_3989436d77_o.jpg

IMG_5931_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/11338017356_eed82b2457_o.jpg

IMG_5932_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/11338073803_1f0a546798_o.jpg

IMG_5927_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

Michael

[my63]

Todays project

Another phone case

My first attempt was a thinner leather ideal for pen cases but not too good for phone cases

 

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2882/11358580145_0e4aee6340_o.jpg

IMG_5971 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Folded glued dyed and stitched in about three hours

 

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/11358686374_266cf3224d_o.jpg

IMG_5978 by my0771, on Flickr

 

far from perfect but getting better the colour is mahogany

 

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5471/11358748233_301e4f06e7_o.jpg

IMG_5980 by my0771, on Flickr

Thanks for looking

Michael

 

[my63]

Very smart!

 

I like the dark leather & bright stitching very much - almost looks Dr Martenish

When I was at Le Prevo (leather shop) I saw a bottle of dye marked ox blood I could not resist it so I am going to make an oxblood pen case with gold stitching I might make a phone case to match

 

Michael

[kiavonne]

My stars, your cases have all turned out so beautiful! I am in awe and really lusting after them.