Making A Pen Case

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie The owner is delighted and has sent me a picture which I will share shortly.

 

I have finished my first belt order

 

20180117_103453%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I wanted to upgrade my packaging so I have made this bag which can also be used for polishing the belt.

 

20180121_184529%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is the finished belt in its bag packed and ready for shipping.

 

20180121_185052%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here is the picture of the chocolate and emerald pen case along with the pen it was made to protect.

 

pen case 3 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

 

Thanks so much for sharing the pen and pen case picture!

 

Your belt has first class craftsmanship and the presentation packaging is very, very stylish.

[drzeller]

I just made my way through this thread. What a read! Michael, you should be proud of your progress (look at that stitching, look at that speed, look at those results!), your tenacity relative to your health, and your ability to inspire.

 

I wish I could order something, but alas I, too, am disabled and am limited in funds! I'd love to send you a tabletop bandsaw, too!

 

All the best,

David

[my63]

Thank you drzeller I appreciate your comments I try hard to make everything to a high standard and have lost count of the number of times I have cut stitching out and re done it because there was a stitch out of place.

Having said that I read an interesting post on a leatherworking forum about stitching where people were placing dropped stitches in their work to show it was hand made. So I now try to leave the stitching as it is done first time.

I try hard to find ways to work around my disability which mainly affects my right hand and arm. I hope that my next surgery will give me another two or three years.

There are many power tools on my wish list unfortunately there are few that I can actually use.

[Inkling13]

Do you happen to sell on Etsy? I saw a pen case styled uncannily similar.

[my63]

Do you happen to sell on Etsy? I saw a pen case styled uncannily similar.

Hi Inkling13 I have recently opened an Etsy store under my blog and Instagram name my63leather there are a few pen cases listed there but everything is still made to order.

Thanks

Michael

[my63]

Like any maker I like feedback some of which has been that my cases are large so I have decided to make a case for a MB 149 as small as possible.

However I have set myself some rules the case must be strong and lightweight.

 

Normally I mark the dimensions of the case onto the wood I plan to make the mould from, This time I have drawn out the design.

 

20180204_193900%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I am going to stick to this as far as possible.

 

20180204_194030%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I will be using a slightly thinner leather which is 2 mm thick.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[zaddick]

I look forward to the final result.

 

One question. Why make the bottom so tapered? I'd make it more rounded for a better fit with greater consistency in interior width.

[my63]

Hi Zaddick

I was trying to follow the shape of the pen but now you mention it something does not look right.

I have not cut the mould yet so I may make another drawing maybe with a more rounded flowing shape the first one is a little sharp.

[my63]

I have redrawn the design to make the shape less pointed a more gentle taper I may need to look at the top taper too.

 

20180206_170001%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

[zaddick]

Is the cas for 1 pen or more? If one, I would think a tube would be the smallest option. You could fit a little "pillow" with an indentation for the piston cone at the bottom and a small cap on a strap for the top.

 

I have a special 149 coming to me so I am keen to see where this goes. For mynpen, total protection is desired and lack of dust ingress points.

[my63]

I hope you have ordered a Mak-ie 149 they look stunning I would love to make a case for one of those.

 

If you want to draw your ideal pen case I will do my best to make it for you.

[my63]

Once I was happy with the design on paper I laminated some pieces of plywood to the correct thickness.

 

20180206_095742%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I cut the shape out of the plywood and after quite a lot of sanding I had the desired shape

 

20180207_080609%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Time for a test moulding.

 

20180207_215012%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Looks ok time to wrap it in suede

[my63]

One of my blog readers asked me if it would be possible to line one of these slim line Mont Blanc 149 cases in a fine leather.

So I now have two prototype slim line cases

 

20180208_184923%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once the linings were dry I started to mould the outer leather covers made from 2 mm veg tanned shoulders.

 

20180209_083621%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Time to apply some dye chocolate brown and black.

 

20180209_101832%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Bringing the two pieces together

 

20180209_114037%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

20180209_114005%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

[Anne-Sophie]

 

So innovative!

 

Thanks for sharing this beautiful new design.

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie I do sometimes wonder if you and I are the only people who read this thread so I appreciate your support.

 

Once I have the two pieces covered in suede I also added a kydex strip along the back of the case this adds a lot of strength.

I made a template from grey board to help me mark out the stitching holes.

 

20180210_084652%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Fully stitched and with trimmed sides just the ends to cut.

 

20180210_195059%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

The black and yellow was made the same way with some added yellow stitching to add a little detail.

 

20180212_183102%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

After a little more trimming and edge finishing both will be finished and ready for sale.

[my63]

A recent visitor to my blog had been searching for a padded travel case for fountain pens my wife and I have been recovering some chairs which has involved some thin padding so I thought I could use the remaining foam. I knew there would be plenty left over as I bought double what was required:)

 

Padding is new to me as I usually make hardened Kydex lined cases.

I thought it would be good to make some drawings and share my ideas with you unfortunately I forgot to allow for the fact that I cannot draw.

So I will try to explain what I am thinking five or maybe six pens odd numbers look better for some reason I am sure there is a formula some where. the pens will face the spine of the case this will open up the range of fastening options. Rather than just a zipper.

 

I am very keen to use quilted suede as part of the padding difficult without using a sewing machine but I am going to give it a go.

 

Rather than wasting time attempting more drawings I may make a model from card to test some ideas.

[Anne-Sophie]

Other people are reading your posts, I am just the only one who feels the need to give my 2 cents.

 

If you could post the model from card of your new padded pen case idea, it will help me visualize it.

 

The slim line cases are gorgeous, as is all your work.

Edited February 18, 2018 by Anne-Sophie

[AoKiu]

Amazing skills, very nice pen case.

[my63]

Thanks AoKiu Anne-Sophie here is the model as promised.

 

20180218_192446%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

I cannot show the padding without adding the padding The card around the edges is not necessary but would be the area taken up by a zipper.

 

Here is a picture of the closed case with a tab style closure

 

20180218_192934%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Fully open please imagine suede lining and lots of padding

 

20180218_193007%5B1%5D by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael