Making A Pen Case

[my63]

This week I was asked if I could make a case for two Parker 51 size pens with a belt loop.

 

I have a couple of ideas here is number one which is based on my two pen case.

 

20170222_212333[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

These are the two pieces of kydex moulded over a medium form this may be a little larger than required. Although adding the suede may reduce the inner dimension.

 

20170225_155341[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Leather outer cover moulded ready

 

20170225_153056[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have made a strip of suede which is stitched to the centre of the pen tubes and will run along the back of the case to allow pens to be clipped in place.

 

20170225_183229[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170225_183237[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I just need to make a back panel and a belt loop next.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Here are the components ready for dying I was planning on black but it appears I may have run out.

 

20170226_173640[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Included in the picture above is a belt loop which may not be used I think it might be better to have slots in the rear panel and a lining leather inside the case rather than have the additional piece on the back.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Dying time

 

20170228_114556[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

After the dye had dried I added some red stitching to the strap.

 

20170228_130528[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Earlier I had added a inner strap for the pens to clip onto but it was to low so I moved it a little higher.

 

20170301_073255[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here you can see the belt loop where I have started to attach unfortunately I had shortened it a little to much so I will have to remove it and make another.

 

20170301_220559[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Starting assembly, the upper and lower sections are glued together then stitching holes are marked with a pricking iron a sharp awl is then used to make the holes before the needles and thread are passed through.

 

20170304_091020[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

After stitching the edges were trimmed sanding is next.

 

20170304_113403[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I could not resist trying some Parker 51 pens in the case

 

20170304_113349[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Almost finished

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Edited March 4, 2017 by my63

[my63]

The only issue I can find with this case is getting pens in and out. The clip strip works well unless the pens have really tight clips.

If the pens are loose in the tubes I have made the tubes too long as it is difficult to get hold of the top of the pens. You could tip the case and in normal circumstances that would be fine but as this case would be attached to a belt then it would be more difficult.

So this case is destined to join the others that reside in a box under my desk.

 

Now where is that drawing board.

Edited March 4, 2017 by my63

[FrozenPen]

If the pens are loose in the tubes I have made the tubes too long as it is difficult to get hold of the top of the pens.

Maybe a satin ribbon on the interior of each tube forming a hammock for the bottom of the pen to rest on. Pulling up on the unattached

end of the ribbon shortens the loop and raises the pen out of the tube. The unattached end could be routed through the clip strip. Maybe attached to the flap so the pen is raised as the flap is lifted.

[my63]

Frozenpen that is a really clever idea thanks. I will add that to my list of ideas to test.

I have often thought of making a pen box where the pens lift up as the lid is raised similar idea.

[Anne-Sophie]

 

These new pen cases designs are really beautiful!

 

So unique and classy, not to mention strong to protect our precious writing instruments.

 

A belt loop pen case is really a challenge, especially when the pens are P51's.

 

If anyone can tackle the aesthetic and technical conundrum, it is you, Michael.

[Anne-Sophie]

 

Please share with us your new test idea, which invariable end up being really beautiful, but somehow, get refined to be even more gorgeous.

 

Thanks for sharing your gift!

[my63]

Please share with us your new test idea, which invariable end up being really beautiful, but somehow, get refined to be even more gorgeous.

 

Thanks for sharing your gift!

Thanks for your ongoing support my plan for 2017 is to try and focus more on bags and multi cases having said that I have been kept very busy making cases for single pens over the last few weeks.

 

My first idea is for a pen wrap made from a fairly stiff leather maybe English bridle which would allow it to stand on a desk unrolled but still fastened. Individual slots suede lined with a flap.

 

Next is a second handbag pen case but with room for notebooks a5 most likely I have not decided on the style yet.

 

For some time as I mentioned in a previous post I have wanted to make a large wooden desk case where the pens are stored vertically. The platform the pens rest on will be attached to the lid causing the pens to rise up as the lid is opened.

 

Just a few ideas to keep you going as with everything my creations are limited by the cost of materials English bridle is great to work with but is quite expensive. Even the veg tanned leather I use for my cases has gone up recently.

 

I have just started an Emperor case for a member here so I will share that with you soon.

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[zaddick]

I am pretty much just using your cases now Michael. That monster 2 pen case has been a real blessing for my larger pens, and with a little velvet liner bag, just great for more regular pens like the MB 149 and Namiki Yukari Royale.

 

I look forward to more of your work.

[my63]

Thanks Zaddick

I value your feedback I am in the process of making some sleeves to add to the larger cases the first ones will be Kimono silk and I may also try making some in suede. I have bought some velvet pouches but they are on the small side and I like to make as much of the case by hand. In fact the only part of my current range not made by me is the little metal ends on the thongs.

Thanks again

 

Michael

[my63]

I do as some of you may know make a lot of protective cases for pens of all sizes of late most orders are for cases for large and supersize pens this one is for a Namike Emperor in vermillion.

The colours are navy blue leather with red suede and stitching.

 

As always the starting point is a sheet of Kydex which i cut to the required size allowing a small overlap to enable the edge to be welded.

 

20170320_114537[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here are the items to make a pen tube kydex dowel scrap leather and a heat gun.

 

20170320_115921[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

After a few minutes and quite a lot of heat.

 

20170320_120143[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am waiting for suede to arrive so rather than wrap the kydex tube in suede I turned my attention to the outer covers.

 

20170322_185033[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

After trimming the leather to rough size I have rounded the edges that will show on the finished case I then dyed the leather navy blue.

 

20170322_193602[1] by my0771, on Flickr.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Red suede for the interior arrived and was cut to size the end was stitched up ready for fixing to the kydex tube.

 

20170323_183256[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

here is the red suede lined tube along side a leather lined version for a different version of this case.

 

20170323_223415[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Outer leather covers starting to take shape

 

20170324_135550[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170324_110745[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Stitching in progress

 

20170324_135825[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170324_135753[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

 

Thank you for giving us such a detailed step by step of the process.

 

I don't think I saw the formation of a kydex tube before this post.

 

The workmanship and inventiveness present in that project are top notch!

Edited March 25, 2017 by Anne-Sophie

[my63]

I have had some difficulties with projects this week.

 

When I make this style of case i just make the lid around the base section there is not a lot of measuring I just do what looks right unfortunately when i finished the lid it did not look right.

 

So I made a second lid

 

20170326_212202[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

As you can see it is quite a bit smaller than the first one.

 

Finishing touches tomorrow

[my63]

The finishing touches include the toggle / pen rest whic fastens the two halves of the case together, because of its shape it also acts as a pen rest. I cut a small piece of wood I don't measure I just guess larger cases need larger toggles and larger pens need larger rests.

 

20170327_143510[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I chose the larger of the two for this case which was made from walnut. I drilled a hole for the thong and applied a little wax.

 

Finally a finished case.

 

20170329_080845[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

As i mentioned in an earlier post I planned to make more bags in 2017 so when a gap appeared in my order book I thought it would be a good time to make one.

 

The first leather I bought was a red part hide from a local fabric shiop I kept some for when i had improved my skills enough to make a decent job.

 

The plan is to make a bag with space for a notebook or two in the back and one or two rows of pens in the front. The first step is to make a set of templates.

 

20170330_134358[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170330_142359[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

After making the front and rear templates I made the inside pocket templates. Next was to start cutting the leather.

 

20170331_083312[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Normally I would have lined the inside with suede but I wanted something lighter so I have gone with cream leather.

 

20170331_110415[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I did a trial fit of the front and back panels as I was doing this I realised that three pockets would make the bag too large so I decided to stop at two.

 

20170401_070510[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Making the pen slots in cream leather I have made these to take 21 mm diameter pens like a M B 149 I expected to get 10 slots however it looks like 7 is the limit so I am currently reviewing the cream leather and may switch to red suede.

 

20170401_070904[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

 

I find you leather cases with suede lining more aesthetically appealing.

 

But, in this particular case (sic), it might be a personal bias against cream leather.

 

 

The newest blue and red pen case is a beauty!

[my63]

I find you leather cases with suede lining more aesthetically appealing. But, in this particular case (sic), it might be a personal bias against cream leather. The newest blue and red pen case is a beauty!

 

It is funny that you say that Anne-Sophie because I did not really like the cream leather pen slots they looked a little clunky.

 

20170401_144439[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I decided to make another version in red suede which would give more pen slots.

 

20170402_190818[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

When I was happy with the suede pen slots I attached them to the front panel

 

20170402_184753[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Trial fit of front and rear sections

 

20170402_185009[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have toyed with the idea of adding piping to the edges so I made a sample normally piping would be stitched in place with the bag inside out which is not an option on this bag.

 

20170402_095957[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is the front dry fit just before gluing

 

20170401_070510[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

Flap open.

 

20170402_185237[1] by my0771, on Flickr

 

There are still a couple of challenges with this bag stitching and finishing the edges not to mention the handle which I need to work out fortunately selling the bag is not one of them as I received a message from a lady who wants to buy it.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael