Pen cases

[MY63]

Thanks Tiffany
It will be a wrap but I am not sure of exactly how it will work, I may back it in suede and then attach it to a leather outer cover.
I wanted black hounds tooth but went with a slightly cheaper option for a first attempt.
It is coming from the Scottish Islands where it is made and will have the required tags to prove it is the real thing.

Finally my 90 degree leather clamp is finished now I can make square leather boxes.

The first picture shows the clamp open with two bone folders separating the oak strips


IMG_8700_1 by my0771, on Flickr


The second picture shows some thin leather being held in place by the oak strips


IMG_8701_1 by my0771, on Flickr

It started off twice the size but once I put everything together I realised it was too big so I cut it in half.

So I now have two, I have given them a light coat of wax and a quick polish

Thanks

Michael

[MY63]

The Harris Tweed arrived today the lady even included its own labels

IMG_8719_1 by my0771, on Flickr

I think a simple wrap will be the best place to start

[MY63]

Beautiful. Will the leather turn golden color? Or do you put something on it to keep the beige color?

As promised here is an example of what happens to untreated leather in sunshine

Rogers bag by my0771, on Flickr

I placed a coin on the leather and left it outside for about an hour

IMG_8723_1 by my0771, on Flickr

I hope that you can see the difference

[MY63]

I have not been able to work on any projects over the last week due to a nasty chest infection however that has given me time to search for new projects in custom bags and get an idea for a pen case.


While watching an antiques show on tv I saw this item and thought I have three special pens that need a home.


IMG_8807 by my0771, on Flickr


A little smaller here and a little taller there and voila a three pen case,


I the odd minute I have been able I took a piece of 5 mm leather which I marked out 180 mm high and trimmed I left it long until I decided how to get the required shape.

Using three pieces of dowel taped together and wrapped in thick kitchen towel I made the form then soaked the leather and wrapped it around.


IMG_8803 by my0771, on Flickr


Here you can see the wet leather around the form the kitchen towel stops the leather falling into the gaps between the dowels as it dries out.


Thanks for looking


Michael

[MY63]

Time has flown and I have not made much progress with this case I have three special pens that need a home so I have returned to this case.


I have lined the interior with black suede I then made three pieces of cardboard which I wrapped in suede and rolled into tubes.


IMG_8964 by my0771, on Flickr


I should have realised that this would be almost impossible to sew together I managed to do it by cutting two needles in half and using a pair of pliers to put the needles through the leather.


I cut a piece of leather to join the top and bottom which I wrapped in yellow nappa leather.


IMG_8966 by my0771, on Flickr


IMG_8970 by my0771, on Flickr


IMG_8973 by my0771, on Flickr


Some of the suede needs to be trimmed before I start the final sewing. which will be in yellow thread the case will be black the next time you see it.


Thanks for looking


Michael

[MY63]

I have been asked to make a pair of pen cases one in my standard style and one in the round nakaya style.


IMG_9036_1 by my0771, on Flickr

Two pieces of veg tan leather soaked in water and formed on wooden forms to achieve the desired shape.
They will be dyed a colour with another colour inside.
More tomorrow.

[MY63]

Things don't always go to plan and mistakes do happen

IMG_9049_1 by my0771, on Flickr

This case is going to hold a special pen that is the same size as my Bamboo pen and as you can see from the picture this case is too short.

Never mind I will just make another !

Michael

[MY63]

Back to stage one I cut a sheet of kydex into pieces to form the inner sections of this pair of cases

IMG_9066_1 by my0771, on Flickr

The cylinder case and the standard case together

IMG_9064_1 by my0771, on Flickr

The end of the cylinder case before sanding and finishing

IMG_9065_1 by my0771, on Flickr

After double checking the measurements I cut the kydex tube to length no mistakes this time and just in case I have made two

Thanks for looking

Michael

[MY63]

So once the kydex is formed I can start to work on the inside cutting a piece of suede larger than required it seems to pull in once the glue dries

IMG_9067_1 by my0771, on Flickr

When I am happy with the placement I apply glue and fold the remainder back over the kydex

IMG_9069_1 by my0771, on Flickr

If I can wait until the glue has dried I will but often I will start forming the leather upper over the kydex and suede pieces

IMG_9070_1 by my0771, on Flickr

IMG_9071_1 by my0771, on Flickr

The veg tanned leather is easily formed to the required shape when wet and it will hold that shape once dry

I will post the next stages soon

[MY63]

Here is the band that secures the closing flap it is 15 mm wide this is the first case I have made with the stitching detail on this band.

IMG_9080_1 by my0771, on Flickr

I am not sure if it is too busy with two lines of stitching

[MY63]

The next stage is to dye the leather for those of you with a logical mind or some common sense then yes I should have dyed the leather first, but I have found that as the leather stretches over the form the colour changes.
It might have made life easier if I had dyed the case before gluing it together anyway I did it the hard way.

IMG_9073_1 by my0771, on Flickr

These pictures were taken just after the dying was finished so the colour will lighten a little as it dries it will then darken when the wax is added so the colour is a bit of guess work.

IMG_9072_1 by my0771, on Flickr

This picture is the round Nakaya style case the kydex liner is not in the picture but as today progresses I hope that you will see it take shape

IMG_9078_1 by my0771, on Flickr.

I have used Fiebings leather dye in this project if anyone would like to have a go then I would advise you to dilute the dye 50 / 50 with Fiebings dye reducer and apply more coats, and apply it to wet leather.

Thanks for looking

Michael

[MY63]

This is the halfway point one case sewn together the other is ready to be stitched.


IMG_9083_1 by my0771, on Flickr

The standard unit of measure for large pens seems to be "how does it compare to a M B 149 so here is a 149 in the case


IMG_9092_1 by my0771, on Flickr

The other case is destined to hold a Bamboo pen so I thought I would try my bamboo pen for size


IMG_9088_1 by my0771, on Flickr


IMG_9089_1 by my0771, on Flickr

[barnaby.bumble]

Cool project.

[MY63]

I have done some more work on the round case things don't always work out as planned
This side I am happy with

IMG_9098_1 by my0771, on Flickr

This side I am not happy with

IMG_9101_1 by my0771, on Flickr

Sewing leather is not easy so I am afraid it is time to start again.

Thanks for looking

Michael

[MY63]

Mk 2 under construction this time I have dyed the leather and formed it around the kydex cylinder

IMG_9103_1 by my0771, on Flickr

IMG_9105_1 by my0771, on Flickr

Having looked closely at the first case I think my stitching holes were not straight causing the issues with the stitching

[barnaby.bumble]

I have done some more work on the round case things don't always work out as planned
This side I am happy with

IMG_9098_1 by my0771, on Flickr

This side I am not happy with

IMG_9101_1 by my0771, on Flickr

Sewing leather is not easy so I am afraid it is time to start again.

Thanks for looking

Michael

That's frustrating when you get so near the end of a project and something doesn't go right.

Just out of curiosity, what is the little tab for?

[MY63]

Yes it was a bit unfortunate the second version is better and is almost finished.
The little tabs there is one on each piece with a cord or thong running through to act as a securing tie.


IMG_7721 by my0771, on Flickr

This is an earlier version in green.

Michael

[barnaby.bumble]

I see. Nifty.

[MY63]

the completed pair of pen cases

IMG_9120 by my0771, on Flickr

I am not providing the toggle for the round case it will be custom made

IMG_9118 by my0771, on Flickr

IMG_9113_1 by my0771, on Flickr

These are custom oversize cases with a centre of kydex to offer extra protection for fountain pens

I hope that the new owner will post some pictures of the cases with the pens inside

Thanks for looking

Michael

[MY63]

I was up early today and took the opportunity to dye some projects that have been sitting on my desk for some time as they were intended for my own use they just kept getting put to one side for other projects.

This is my three pen case here you can see the body and lid dyed black

IMG_9144_1 by my0771, on Flickr

Here is the complete case with the yellow insert to position the lid

IMG_9147_1 by my0771, on Flickr

I thought I had a better picture of the inside there are three tubes inside wrapped in suede

IMG_9153_1 by my0771, on Flickr

IMG_9156_1 by my0771, on Flickr

The stitching will be in yellow to match the three special pens it has been designed to hold.

Thanks for looking

Michael