Restoring And Customising A Briefcase

[jsolares]

Thanks Jsolares

 

The handle I have shown is the inside structure hopefully the outside will be a little prettier when it is finished

 

As i understood it, you're going to wrap that with the dyed leather right? consider stitching it something like this http://p.lefux.com/61/20110930/A1698000AD/handle-grips-retro-bike-leather-4176024-Gallay.jpg should be easy on the hands, kind of like a steering wheel.

[my63]

I may have mistyped as they say rather than wrap it will have top and bottom pieces which will be sewn down the sides these stitches will in turn attach the handle to the bag. I have used the crossover stitch on other projects however in this situation the stitches would be right where your fingers would be. Which may cause extra wear or irritation to the user.

The reason for not having flexible joints as the owner wishes the bag to remain as still as possible when in use.

I will share some pictures of the handle that inspired this handle.

[jsolares]

I may have mistyped as they say rather than wrap it will have top and bottom pieces which will be sewn down the sides these stitches will in turn attach the handle to the bag. I have used the crossover stitch on other projects however in this situation the stitches would be right where your fingers would be. Which may cause extra wear or irritation to the user.

The reason for not having flexible joints as the owner wishes the bag to remain as still as possible when in use.

I will share some pictures of the handle that inspired this handle.

 

Wrap doesn't necessarily imply one pice though, just my imagination taking me there, can't wait for the finished product

[my63]

The hold up at the moment is deciding where the flap will be cut I have two options but can't decide this usually means there is another is that is in my mind and I think it is the straps for the buckles, as I used a template from a larger case and I think they are too long, so I wait and let it tumble in my mind if you get what I mean and it will become clear.

I have a similar problem with a more complicated case that has moving parts but more of that later

 

I have some small pen cases to work on tomorrow

[my63]

Here is the picture of the original handle from an old case that is next in the queue,

 

IMG_9998_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The two pieces of wood near the bottom of the picture are the centre structure which everything else is wrapped around, I have made my centre piece larger as the bag is larger.

[my63]

The burgundy bag for want of a better name has caused me some issues over the last few weeks like many people I sometimes doubt my own ability and the flap and fastening straps caused me much doubt.

In the end I realised that the straps were too large and this was throwing all of my measurements out once I realised this was the issue I was able to cut the straps down to size and fit them this morning after cutting the flap to the correct length.
I will explain more about straps and their fitting later for now though.

 

IMG_0048_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

Everything is held together by small clips at the moment except for the rear pocket which is glued in place ready for sewing

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

Edited April 20, 2015 by my63

[stevesurf]

I have spent some time on the edges today and I am almost happy with them I freely admit I am a bit of a perfectionist and the case is at least 50 years old so the odd bit of cracking around the edges is to be expected

The first picture shows the mounting point for the shoulder strap I had thought I would be able to sew the tab in place as well as gluing and bolting it in place this was not possible.

I took the bag to my supplier and their master saddler checked the mounting points for me he was happy with them.

 

IMG_9568 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_9571 by my0771, on Flickr

 

These are my final pictures of this project I will be boxing it up today ready for the courier to collect

Thanks to everyone for the support.

 

Michael

 

 

Definitely, the Pendragon is my favorite one of your fine work Michael. Brilliant!

[my63]

Thanks you will be pleased to hear that there is another but this time in a light tan colour it is in slightly better condition,

Once I have decided on a colour for the interior and I have completed some other projects I will show it to you.

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[my63]

Stevesurf this is the next Pendragon bag I mentioned in my last post

 

IMG_9928_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I cut the upper and lower straps from the same template the upper ones are just attached to the flap,

 

IMG_0049_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The lower straps need a stronger hold so a slot is cut for the pin then the strap is folded back under as you can see from the picture, to add more strength I have punched a hole for a rivet. according to the book I should cut a slot in the front of the case and pass the lower part of the strap through before riveting through the front of the case and the lower part of the strap.

The upper part of the strap is the sewn into place this allows the upper part of the strap to lie almost flat while covering the head of the rivet.

 

I hope this makes sense

 

Michael

[my63]

I was worried that my previous post was a little confusing and I was unsure about cutting the slot in the front of my bag so I marked and cut the slots.

 

IMG_0058_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step is to square the strap up and punch the hole for the rivet.

Edited April 21, 2015 by my63

[my63]

I have made some progress today the first picture is the inside of the front of the bag with the tab from the buckle strap riveted in place since I took this picture I have also sewn around the edge, Another reason for the back being smaller than the front so the stitching on the front does not interfere with the stitching inside

 

IMG_0059_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next picture shows the handle with is cover this is my first attempt at this cover and to be honest it is a little wide (40 mm) although it does fit my hand perfectly

 

IMG_0062_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[jsolares]

I have made some progress today the first picture is the inside of the front of the bag with the tab from the buckle strap riveted in place since I took this picture I have also sewn around the edge, Another reason for the back being smaller than the front so the stitching on the front does not interfere with the stitching inside

 

The next picture shows the handle with is cover this is my first attempt at this cover and to be honest it is a little wide (40 mm) although it does fit my hand perfectly

 

IMG_0062_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

 

That handle looks awesome

[my63]

Thanks Jsolares the handle pictured fitted my extra large hand but was not much good to anyone else so I have gone back to the original idea, I have reduced the sides and will sew down the edges and then trim the excess from each side.

I have glued the top and bottom pieces around the centre piece in all there are 9 pieces of leather in this handle

 

IMG_0065_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

Handle almost ready for fitting

 

IMG_0070_1 by my0771, on Flickr

[pen2paper]

Impressive. Such a great thread. Thank You.

[my63]

Thanks Pen2paper things are progressing quite well now,
The long chicargo screws I ordered yesterday arrived this morning so I was able to cut them to the required size and fit them, once the holes were punched I was able to use the long ends of the threads to sew the edges of the handle to the bag

 

IMG_0074_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0078_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The lining for the inside of the back flap section is ready to fit once I have sewn all of the straps in place.

 

Thanks for looking

[my63]

Today I have glued the gusset to the rear section which includes the front flap having previously marked out the stitching holes around the front flap which I had considered sewing before attaching any pieces, I prefer to sew with as few joins in the thread as possible ok that really means no joins at all, I have in picked cases in the past rather than join the thread.

In this case the length of thread is around 24 ft crazy but it keeps me happy.

 

IMG_0094_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0095_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

In some pictures the handle looks at an angle but I have measured it a number of times and it is straight it s one of those things that may change as the bag comes together fingers crossed.

 

Thanks for looking

[dcpritch]

great progress, fabulous details!

[my63]

Thanks for your comments I am sewing the bag together at the moment I hope to have the finished bag by the end of the week pictures will follow.

[my63]

Thank you Scrawler if I remember correctly you have one of my first wooden boxes I hope it is serving you well.

Here is my first case finished (at last).

 

IMG_0102_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0109_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

One of the requirements for this case was for a handle that would not allow the case to flex underneath it

 

IMG_0108_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The inside of the case was lined with cognac suede

 

IMG_0111_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

IMG_0110_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael