Pen cases

[MY63]

I think I can safely share one of the colours for this case with you the outside of the case will be piped in pink I have used suede as a spacer on another project but have neither made piping or used it before.
So I have made a sample piece just to see how it will work, I have cut out sections to allow it to turn 90 degrees

IMG_9840_1 by my0771, on Flickr

Making pieces long enough might be another challenge it has a 2 mm leather thong inside to give it the round shape, I think a jig might be required to make the longer lengths.

[earthdawn]

Ill start my own thread later tonight....

BUT FYI the pictures do not even come close to the awesomeness of the cases I received today !!!!!


I am ridiculously happy right now !

Heres a quick pic I put on Instagram ... but really, I mean like WOW WOW WOW ... friggin' stunning

MIKE ~ You are an incredible craftsman with a great eye for detail and workmanship.

[matthias.renaerts]

Wooden box where i keep my ink in and my visconti leather pen case!

[MY63]

As well as bags and briefcases I still make single pen cases and multiple pen cases when asked so today I am starting two projects a pair of three pen cases and a combined single pen case with a spectacle case.


The three pen cases need to match so I have started with a measuring stick


IMG_0011_1 by my0771, on Flickr


From that came this


IMG_0013_1 by my0771, on Flickr


The next step is create the case in leather


Thanks for looking


Michael

[MY63]

Sorry for the delay in updating this thread I have encountered some issues with this project hopefully I have overcome most of them.
This project is for a pair of three pen cases with some particular requirements

IMG_9994_1 by my0771, on Flickr

These are the pen clip holders there will be three on each case they will be made in a contrasting colour

IMG_0023_1 by my0771, on Flickr

IMG_0027_1 by my0771, on Flickr

The next step was to make a wooden form and the I started with the lining leather on the form then I moulded some kydex around the form finally adding the upper leather

IMG_0028_1 by my0771, on Flickr

The next step was to dye the leather black and cut the slots for the pen clips

IMG_0088_1 by my0771, on Flickr

Thanks for looking

Michael

[MY63]

Sometimes things just don't work and I am afraid these cases do not work for me.
If you look at the picture above the slots for the pen clips are wrong the centre is ok but the other two are wrong they should have been centre of the space from the edge of the centre not where the actually are it is only 3mm out but it is out.

I sewed a case front to see what it would look like

IMG_0121_1 by my0771, on Flickr

The issues that came to light as well as the terrible sewing was the orange leather even though it was folded double it was not strong enough to take pen clips so it will need support.
Attaching the dividers was also very difficult.

To resolve these issues I have started again I have altered the position of the slots so they will look correct, the dividers will not come right to the top

IMG_0129_1 by my0771, on Flickr

This view is from the inside back so once the back has been fitted this will be impossible to see even though it has been padded and lined in leather there is also no stitching or anything else that may scratch a pen. I will glue little cushions in to the bottom before I fit the back. The slots are individual and made from kydex.

So although I have wasted the best part of a week I am sure I am on the right track now

Thanks for looking

Michael

[MY63]

In the post above I showed the orange thread I was thinking of using on this project but I wonder if it is too much.


As many of you will know already I could not carry a colour in a bucket


So if anyone would like to assist us the question is orange or black thread?


Thanks


Michael

[Crazyorange]

Will the case still be black?

[MY63]

Yes it will be black and the insert will be orange

Thanks

[Crazyorange]

I think the orange thread will make the black pop. If the person who is receiving it wants a conservative look, then black thread would be better.

[MY63]

Thanks for the help I think in this case it might be best to save the orange thread for another project and go with the black thread

As you can see from the pictures above moulding leather leaves crinkles in the edges this is because the leather is moulded when wet and it stretches to the new shape.

As the leather dries out it maintains the shape, the design of these cases calls for flat sides without a welt (the turned out part with the stitching) this means the sides need to be perfect,

In order to get the flat sides I realised that my mould was too small so I have made a new mould.


IMG_0138_1 by my0771, on Flickr


IMG_0139_1 by my0771, on Flickr


In this mould the leather is compressed and stretched at the same time when wet and left in the mould until dry as you can see from the slots the leather has stretched so I will wait until it has dried before I cut the slots next time.


Thanks for looking


Michael

[MY63]

Once removed from the mould we have this which is much more like the desired shape with the flat sides

IMG_0140_1 by my0771, on Flickr

This is one of the original test pieces there is some un dyed leather on the front and there are some areas that will need to be wet again and smoothed

[MY63]

The new mould may not be pretty but it works quite well


IMG_0147_1 by Michael Young, on Flickr


I have re calculated the position of the slots for the pen clips and as you can see I have punched the holes ready to cut the slots you will also notice that I have added another detail to the top of the opening this is to create some protection for the top of the pen, and will also provide a shape for the closing flap to follow.


IMG_0153_1 by Michael Young, on Flickr


The final picture shows the strap that will hold the flap in place the flap will cover 3/4of the front of the case so the strap will be positioned half way down


IMG_0154_1 by Michael Young, on Flickr


Thanks for looking


Michael

[MY63]

After finalising the shape of the top section I cut the slots after that I marked out the lines the stitches would follow with a pair of dividers. Once that was done I punched the stitching holes ready for sewing

IMG_0162_1 by Michael Young, on Flickr

The next step gets a little tricky the orange leather needs to be inserted and sewn in place it also needs to be lined in kydex unfortunately it is not possible to sew through kydex.

IMG_0168_2 by Michael Young, on Flickr

IMG_0172_2 by Michael Young, on Flickr

My solution was to sew the upper piece to the front of the case then glue the kydex into place finally wrapping the orange leather around the kydex and gluing that in place before adding the side sections and stitching it into the back piece.

I hope everyone can understand that

Thanks for looking

Michael

[Crazyorange]

Looking beautiful

[MY63]

Thanks Crazyorange I cant explain just how difficult it has been to get to this point however I feel I am on the right track now and should have them finished soon

The first case is at this stage now I just need to get the second one to this point and then I can start on the backs which need some embossing done

IMG_0174_2 by Michael Young, on Flickr

Thanks

[Crazyorange]

I like the black stitching. It gives the case a clean sleek look.

[MY63]

Look its twins


IMG_0182_1 by Michael Young, on Flickr


Making a custom pen case is not always easy making two is more difficult.

So the inserts are complete and so are the outer pieces the back pieces are trimmed and ready to have the orange leather attached I have started the embossing which needs to be attached first.

[earthdawn]

Look its twins


IMG_0182_1 by Michael Young, on Flickr


Making a custom pen case is not always easy making two is more difficult.

So the inserts are complete and so are the outer pieces the back pieces are trimmed and ready to have the orange leather attached I have started the embossing which needs to be attached first.

WOW !

Looking exceptionally great

[MY63]

Thanks for the comments I appreciate them, the black stitching was the right way to go too much colour reduced the impact.

The next step is embossing the initials onto the inside of the flap,

I have my own way of doing this which is a result of trial and error it works for me but I am sure that there are other methods that work just as well for others.

I start with a print out of the image to be embossed which I stick to a piece of thin leather then I cut it out, after this if I have separate components I stick them onto another print out so I can position them accurately.


IMG_0202_2 by Michael Young, on Flickr


After sticking the pieces to the backing I trim around the pieces without separating them and stick this to the inside of the flap


IMG_0203_2 by Michael Young, on Flickr


once the glue has gone off I will trim off the remaining paper as there is a chance it will show through I will also remove the paper from the top as the printing ink may show through lighter coloured leathers once wet with glue. It is important to maintain a good edge on the image so it will be seen through the outer leather soft edges will just disappear


Thanks for looking


Michael