Making A Pen Case

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie I could make a similar shape by stitching pieces of leather together but I prefer the moulding process.

 

While I am trying to decide how to finish the large Emperor case I was catching up on what some of my Instagram followers were doing, One of them had recently been promoted in the USAF the pictures of the insignia prompted me to make a case that would keep fountain pens safe during a deployment.

 

I formed a kydex shell and the formed the wet veg tanned leather around it.

 

20170908_132051%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I found a picture of the insignia and printed it off I used a scribing tool to transfer the image to the still wet leather.

 

20170908_125854%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Using a special carving knife I cut the design into the leather.

 

20170908_132003%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step was to apply some leather dye I chose Navy blue I decided to use red suede for the inside.

 

20170908_200116%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

The first thing that came to my mind was, well aren't we talented?

 

I was of course talking about you.

 

Your inventiveness seems endless, the idea of reproducing the insignia, carving it and dye it is just genius.

 

In my sleepy little mind, it is almost 3 am here, I was thinking of using tiny strips of light blue leather to fill up the carving, like marquetry for leather.

 

Due to the time, please take the "idea" with a grain of salt.

 

Beautiful work as always, thanks for sharing!

Edited September 12, 2017 by Anne-Sophie

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie I like the sound of your idea but I am not sure how it would work or rather how I could make it work. I will keep it in mind so don't be surprised if it turns up in a future project.

 

Once I had decided on the colours I cut out a back panel I tried to cut out the shape and punch the holes for stitching to save time later but this failed and I had to start over.

 

I cut a replacement panel and shaped a piece of kydex to form the back support. I covered it in the red suede ready to join the two pieces together.

 

20170911_132122%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

After the trial fit of the front and back panel I added some glue to hold the pieces while I made the stitching holes and stitched the case together.

 

20170911_175609%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

when the glue had dried I removed all of the clips and positioned the strap.

 

20170911_194112%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Stitching finished

 

20170912_210935%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Trimming was next.

 

20170913_073635%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

After trimming I sanded the edges and dyed them the same colour as the rest of the case.

 

20170913_085254%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170913_085403%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Here are my final pictures of the Sergeants case I think it has worked out OK.

 

The shape of the Kydex inner pieces make this case extremely strong I believe this style is the strongest of all the cases I make.

 

20170914_083313%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170914_083134%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170914_083156%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170914_083431%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

This project is off to the USA soon to its new home.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Going back to the Three Emperors case I decided to go with my original plan and use the Antique leather dye.

 

20170918_152718%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

After punching the holes I started to apply the Antique dye.

 

20170918_175652%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Time to trial fit the inner section.

 

20170918_184227%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

Here are my final pictures of the Sergeants case I think it has worked out OK.

 

The shape of the Kydex inner pieces make this case extremely strong I believe this style is the strongest of all the cases I make.

 

20170914_083313%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170914_083134%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170914_083156%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170914_083431%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

This project is off to the USA soon to its new home.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Amazing!

[Anne-Sophie]

 

The brown/blue case decoration is really inventive!

 

I am always most amazed at the last steps you take to finish the case(s) and make them perfect.

 

 

[my63]

I had a confidence crisis this morning over the colour of the back panel/front flap.

After thinking of dyeing the whole case black I decided to apply more antique dye to the back / front flap and get on with it.

 

20170920_100002%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

The back section has a kydex panel which provides extra protection this is glued in place and covered in suede.

 

20170920_150454%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

The securing strap has had some blue detail stitching applied to it.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

I made a template to help with the stitching lines.

 

20170921_161745%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once I had marked out the stitching lines I made the holes and started stitching unfortunately I managed to get a knot in the thread and in trying to undo it snapped the thread.

 

20170921_192921%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I don not like to have joints in my stitching especially on small cases so I cut out the stitching and started over.

 

When I had cut and waxed a new length of thread I continued stitching.

 

20170921_215917%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170921_220003%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Now the stitching is complete I will trim the edges and prepare them for finishing.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[zaddick]

Hello Michael. Maybe I missed this, but is this 3 emperor case you are working on a commission or will it be for sale? I am thinking I need a 3 pen case for large pens. Right now I am carrying two of your cases separately to accommodate 3 pens and 1 case would be easier.

[my63]

Hi Zaddick

It is for sale when finished.

Michael

[zaddick]

Shoot me a note when you are ready. I really like using your cases and have pretty much stopped using the others I have. Take that MB!

[my63]

Thanks Zaddick it is great to hear that my cases are appreciated and more importantly that they are used. I am sure that MB wont have noticed

 

My Plan was for the flap to end just above the design on the case.

 

20170924_193133%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Box Ticked...... Getting the strap in the correct position and the right size for the flap.

 

20170924_193030%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

TICK

 

20170924_193039%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Trimming is very scary one wrong move and the case is scrap.. Measure twice cut once as my old foreman used to tell me. I have trimmed the flap and that is it for today cutting through one thickness of leather and suede is one thing cutting double thickness of everything needs a steady hand and a freshly sharpened blade. Time for sharpening

[Anne-Sophie]

Here are my final pictures of the Sergeants case I think it has worked out OK.

 

The shape of the Kydex inner pieces make this case extremely strong I believe this style is the strongest of all the cases I make.

 

20170914_083313%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170914_083134%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170914_083156%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

20170914_083431%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

This project is off to the USA soon to its new home.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

It certainly looks really sturdy and mighty fine, just like the service member it will accompany on journeys.

[my63]

I have finally trimmed the edges of this case

 

20170925_195247%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have applied the first layer of edge kote after allowing it to dry I have lightly sanded it ready for the next coats.

 

20170926_083948%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

The finished case with the shoe that inspired it

 

20170927_091703%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking and for those who commented.

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

The design inspiration is astonishingly good looking, I am not much of an antique saddle color, but with blue, it really is gorgeous looking.

 

Gorgeous and sturdy, best of both world pen cases!

 

Congrats again Michael!

 

PS: Make sure to rest between projects and/or listen to all the joints.

Edited September 27, 2017 by Anne-Sophie

[my63]

As ever Anne-Sophie I appreciate your kind comments.

 

I thought I would let you know that the Sergeants case has arrived safely with its new owner in the USA I am pleased to say that it is appreciated.

 

This afternoon I have been learning how to make a twisted or braided cuff style bracelet.

 

20171001_185310%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

As ever Anne-Sophie I appreciate your kind comments.

 

I thought I would let you know that the Sergeants case has arrived safely with its new owner in the USA I am pleased to say that it is appreciated.

 

This afternoon I have been learning how to make a twisted or braided cuff style bracelet.

 

20171001_185310%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks

 

Michael

What could that be used for? an alternative strap closure, a decorative accent?

[my63]

Hi Anne-Sophie

 

20171004_210922%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

It is a bracelet