Making A Pen Case

[Anne-Sophie]

Cognac is the name of the suede color I tried to remember.

[my63]

The next order is for a Nakaya long cigar fountain pen I am also making an Emperor case at the same time.

 

2020-03-22_03-32-45 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The first stage is to form the Kydex into the desired shapes the new Emperor mould is designed to carry the pen with the clip aligned across the width of the case which allows the height of the case to be reduced.

 

After moulding the Kydex I wrapped it in red suede.

 

2020-03-22_07-59-32 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After wrapping the pen tubes in suede it was time to mould the outer covers.

 

2020-03-22_05-01-41 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2020-03-22_05-01-16 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next task is to apply the dye.

[my63]

After allowing the outer covers to dry I removed them from the moulds.

 

First out was the outer cover for the Nakaya long cigar case.

 

2020-03-23_09-47-14 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Followed by the Namiki Emperor. The Emperor cover was not fully dry when I removed it from the mould so it has opened up a little, I will correct this when I glue it to the insert before stitching.

 

2020-03-23_09-46-51 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Both of these cases are being dyed navy blue but the dyes are from different suppliers and are totally different.

 

The first is navy blue dye by Feibings.

 

2020-03-23_09-48-38 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The second is a Tannery dye from Le Prevo leather suppliers

 

2020-03-23_09-48-49 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Assembly is next.

[seimodern]

wow, just wow.

I have no (good) words for how amazing these posts (& cases) are!!!

[my63]

wow, just wow.

I have no (good) words for how amazing these posts (& cases) are!!!

 

Thanks for taking the time to comment I sometimes wonder if anyone reads these posts so I really do appreciate it when people comment.

 

I am pretty sure I have never shown this view of a pen case before the pen insert is glued into the outer front cover here you can see the inside where the precious pen will live in this case a Nakaya long cigar fountain pen.

The back piece has its Kydex panel glued in place ready for its suede cover.

 

2020-03-25_07-33-25 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The font and rear assemblies have now been glued together ready for stitching, The stitching will draw the Kydex insert down onto the Kydex back piece locking them together making a very strong case.

 

2020-03-25_07-32-54 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Stitching is next.

[my63]

Stitching started this takes time.

 

2020-03-27_10-33-15 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Stitching finished.

 

2020-03-27_10-33-35 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have started trimming the edges to size the next steps will be to finish the trimming and then dye and seal the edges.

[my63]

I usually trim the edges after I have stitched the case together, so I can grip the case in my stitching clam unfortunately I trimmed it earlier and so made life difficult for myself.

 

It takes me a few hours to stitch each case together. Here is the finished Nakaya long cigar case finally finished.

 

2020-03-31_09-32-37 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is the larger Namiki Emperor fountain pen case it is also navy blue but it is the darker navy tannery dye.

 

2020-03-31_09-32-22 by my0771, on Flickr

 

We are living in changing times and I hope my ramblings provide some interest for those who are isolated.

As these two cases are ready for shipping I have started the only remaining order in my workbook.

It is a round case for a Namiki Emperor fountain pen as I was waiting for the edges on the other cases to dry I formed the Kydex inner shell for this case.

 

2020-03-31_09-45-46 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step is to wrap the Kydex pen tube in soft suede.

 

I would like to wish good health to all who read this, Michael

[my63]

As i said the next step was to wrap the pen tube in suede which is what I have done.

 

2020-04-01_04-56-46 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I allowed it to dry for a few hours before I started moulding the outer covers. I wrapped it in shrink wrap before applying the wet leather.

 

2020-04-01_06-23-34 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once I was happy with the lower part I moulded the top part.

 

2020-04-01_06-29-06 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Dye is next

[my63]

As promised here is the case with its freshly applied dye.

 

2020-04-02_10-32-25 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The pen tube is glued in place and stitching holes are made.

 

2020-04-02_10-32-46 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Stitching takes time so a little later here is the lower section stitched.

 

2020-04-02_10-33-06 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After trimming the bottom section I have formed the upper section glued and stitched it together.

 

2020-04-03_09-40-49 by my0771, on Flickr

 

While I was waiting for things to dry I got this box out that I bought at a local market a some time ago.

 

2020-04-03_09-39-59 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2020-04-03_09-40-27 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have applied a little French polish which has enhanced the colours.

 

2020-04-03_09-40-39 by my0771, on Flickr

 

more soon.

[my63]

As Covid 19 really starts to take hold in the UK my local NHS service have asked me to assist them in setting up a facility to make medical gowns and scrubs.

This is going to take some time to acheive and therefore I will not be taking any further orders for pen cases for the foreseeable future and will not have any content to share.

Hopefully this will be a brief absence and will be back to making pen cases soon.

Thanks to everyone who has read my ramblings and most of all to those who have contributed.

Michael

[twin63]

I work in healthcare and applaud what what you are doing. It is a sacrifice for you and your business, but I know healthcare workers there will be greatly appreciative. You will be making a difference.

[N1003U]

As Covid 19 really starts to take hold in the UK my local NHS service have asked me to assist them in setting up a facility to make medical gowns and scrubs.

This is going to take some time to acheive and therefore I will not be taking any further orders for pen cases for the foreseeable future and will not have any content to share.

Hopefully this will be a brief absence and will be back to making pen cases soon.

Thanks to everyone who has read my ramblings and most of all to those who have contributed.

Michael

 

Hi Micheal,

 

If your organizational and tailoring skills are anything like your leather-working skills, I think the NHS has a very pleasant surprise in store for them.

 

Just a few encouraging words while you are off doing other things:

 

I understand well that feeling when one spends time and effort to post something interesting and then hears, often, nothing...or even worse, snarky sarcasm from clueless idiots (fortunately pretty rare on FPN so far in my experience). In this case any lack of response is certainly not a reflection on the value of your posts.

 

I don't comment on your work very often (in fact I have only been on FPN for a few months now), but I do check out your postings regularly, and I enjoy your craftsmanship and watching you make raw materials "come to life" as it were. I appreciate every step of the process, but while I have neither the tools nor the manual skills to execute them, I must live vicariously through your posts. Thank you.

 

It is also for me quite educational to understand the work and the detail that go into fine leather products, and what the difference is between bonded leather, hacked out and glued together, and full leather, meticulously formed, lined, stitched, trimmed, and finished on the edges. (oh, and the embossing, can't forget the embossing--very nice). The details are stunning.

 

When you have time again, do continue to show us your work!

[amk]

Bless you for helping the NHS!

 

Really love what you have been doing with pen cases. You have a style that you've made completely your own and your boxes are lovely remakes, really beautiful.

 

Stay safe, and ... I for one think you should post some pics of your scrubs here! you're an inspiration to us all.

[my63]

It has been 9 days since my last post and I have been working all day everyday on this project there have been many challenges which we have overcome. We currently have 3 factories and 5 small teams total production is around 5,000 units gowns and scrubs, I am logistics and management some one else is doing the buying and manufacturing we are both volunteers. I think it will be a good story to tell when this is all over.

covid 19 became personal to me last week when I lost my mum a lovely lady.

I came here tonight and read the post and I smiled I thank you for your kind words they really are appreciated.

The loss of my mum to this virus has made me more determined to help those who have helped her in her final days to the nurse who held her hand at the end I say thank you.

Edited April 17, 2020 by my63

[amk]

So sorry to read about your mother. Keep safe, all the best

[twin63]

Truly sorry to hear about your mom. You are in my thoughts and prayers. And thank you again for what you are doing to help others.

[my63]

I am not sure if the project is public as yet but I am so tired I think we are moving to 19 factories later this week massive numbers

 

DSC00293 by my0771, on Flickr

 

DSC00291 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Not pen related I know but so important

[kazoolaw]

Thank you for your enormous contribution.

 

Please make sure you are rested, as your health is important not only to you but all you are helping.

 

gary

[amk]

Wow! Those scrubs look terrific!

[my63]

Not much of an update production is ramping up now as more production sites come online. This is the team minus me as it was my mums funeral. I do get a mention.

https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/nhs-local-community-and-businesses-stitch-together-to-boost-supplies-of-gowns-and-other-ppe-equipment/