An unusual case

[MY63]

Nigel's video makes it all look very easy believe me it is not.
The combined thickness is now 8mm and pushing the awl through is very difficult.

IMG_8091 by my0771, on Flickr

This morning I have reshaped my awl and sharpened it to the point where it will go through the leather (and fingers) it will take a long time to sew the case together and then there is all of the extra lines of sewing that I added because they look good.

[Polyhistor]

Nigel's video makes it all look very easy believe me it is not.
The combined thickness is now 8mm and pushing the awl through is very difficult.

IMG_8091 by my0771, on Flickr

This morning I have reshaped my awl and sharpened it to the point where it will go through the leather (and fingers) it will take a long time to sew the case together and then there is all of the extra lines of sewing that I added because they look good.

On a project like this, it's fun to actually measure the time each line of stitching takes. As you gain more and more practice, things will speed up incredibly.

[MY63]

Polyhistor
I measure my lines by the day rather than the hour this is what I have done today in my defence I do only have limited use of my right hand I have had some difficulty sewing the long sides of the case as it is only 4 inches in diameter and my hand just fits but getting the needle in the hole is a challenge.
The original diameter was going to be 3 inches our model was a pringles can

IMG_8099 by my0771, on Flickr

IMG_8098 by my0771, on Flickr


IMG_8101 by my0771, on Flickr

As you can see it is a tight fir inside the case.

[tiffanyhenschel]

Yes. We both thought of the Pringles can as a model. As I'm in the US and Michael is in the UK, we were each wondering if the other knew what Pringles were.

I'm very pleased with how this is coming together.

[MY63]

These are my ideas for the lid

IMG_8105_1 by my0771, on Flickr


IMG_8103_1 by my0771, on Flickr


IMG_8108 by my0771, on Flickr

I wanted something more than just a cap as the lid section also serves as storage for nibs and ink there will be studs half way down the top section and on the main body.
this will allow the top section to be removed without the nibs etc scattering everywhere.

I have to be honest I am a little unsure of the handle I may make something smaller and maybe flat to match the straps then Tiffany can choose.

Thanks

Michael

[scrivelry]

As always, Micheal, it is amazing to watch the process you go through to solve the design problems in each new project. This case is a tour de force.

My personal opinion, and it's not a strong one, just a thought, is that I would have the nib out lines meet but not overlap on the very top of the case, and if a central something seemed necessary add a stud of some kind. Alternatively, the four points could meet at stubbish corners and sort of form a tiny internal square. (Not sure I am expressing that in a way anyone but myself can picture, however.)

On the other hand, that may be brutal sewing, in which case certainly not worth it.

I don't understand how the top will have storage that does not fall into the bottom, but I am perfectly certain that as you continue and post photos it will all come clear to me!

[MY63]

Scrivelry as ever you are right on track, In my haste to get the template ready I did not trim the ends of the card.
I think a small square left open will attract debris, I think it will be best for two to meet end to end and the other two to butt up against them.
There are days of sewing still to come on this project and I will be adding more.

The top section will have a piece of leather fitted in line with the second line of stitching and the same for the base section don't worry if you cant see it I will explain as we go.

Todays task was to take the odd shaped cylinder and make it round.
This type of leather is very malleable when it is wet as it dries it becomes hard so this morning I wet the leather.

IMG_8110 by my0771, on Flickr

IMG_8113 by my0771, on Flickr

This is my heath robinson contraption to apply pressure from the inside so I placed the plastic inside the leather cylinder and then the open bottle I then added some soft drink and then shook the bottle the pressure inside pushed the bottle back to its shape and forced the plastic and leather out and into the desired shape.

Thanks for looking

Michael

[tiffanyhenschel]

What a creative idea!

[MY63]

I mentioned the end pieces yesterday so I thought I would show a little more detail of what they are and how they are made
Starting with a flat piece of leather which I soaked in water until no more bubbles came out.

IMG_8120 by my0771, on Flickr

Once wet I roughly shaped the leather and put it inside the cylinder and then started working the edges to smooth them out this took a little while
IMG_8121_1 by my0771, on Flickr

This morning the leather had dried and dropped out

IMG_8122_1 by my0771, on Flickr

Ready to be trimmed and either wrapped in suede or dyed of course they will also need to be sewn in place

[MY63]

Not a lot of progress to report today I have trimmed the two base sections

IMG_8125_1 by my0771, on Flickr

IMG_8126_1 by my0771, on Flickr

They will be sewn in place over the next few days I have to admit I over did the sewing the other day and seem to have made a needle sized hole in my finger so I will be back to sewing in a couple of days.

I have some other pieces to make in the mean time and am also starting the custom bag project while the healing process continues.

Thanks for looking

Michael

[tiffanyhenschel]

Take your time. We all want you to enjoy working on your projects. The wait will be worth it.

[Tracy Lee]

What a creative idea!

NEVER would have thought of that!!! Love it.

[Bogon07]

Michael, wishing you a speedy and comfortable recovery from you injury.

[MY63]

Thanks it is a very minor problem it makes gripping the needle difficult I once saw someone sewing with what looked like leather thimbles on their fingers, maybe that is what I need.

Michael

[Holsworth]

Thanks it is a very minor problem it makes gripping the needle difficult I once saw someone sewing with what looked like leather thimbles on their fingers, maybe that is what I need.

Michael

An embroiderer friend of mine uses a leather thimble, she swears by it after trying several different ones!

[jacksterp]

A beautiful project indeed.

And, the creative aspect of solving issues - outstanding.

Keep up the good work...

[MY63]

Thanks for the kind words the leather finger protectors work just fine.

I managed to sew one ring yesterday and then realised that I had sewn the wrong ring as it needed the base fitted. So I had to unpick it all and start again.

IMG_8175_1 by my0771, on Flickr

IMG_8171_1 by my0771, on Flickr

Please note the edges are not finished yet they will be black.

The top is a very tight fit and I am worried that the suede will be pulled away from the edges as the lid is pushed on so I am thinking of bevelling the inner edges of the lid I can do that once the sewing is finished.

Thanks for looking

Michael

[MY63]

Here is the other end of the upper section

IMG_8180 by my0771, on Flickr

These are the edges that I think may need to be bevelled to allow for the upper section to slide into place without pulling the suede off.

[tiffanyhenschel]

I'm glad you are making this because I wouldn't know where to start Thanks for thinking through and problem solving each of the steps.

[MY63]

I have started sewing the top of the main body today it is more difficult because it has the insert to hold the upper section in place this takes the thickness up to 11 mm it is very difficult to get the needles through.

Anyway whilst doing this I was thinking about the lid which I have also made today, the meeting of the straps on the lid has been on my mind sine Scrivelry mentioned it the other day.
So I have come up with this button for the centre of the lid the straps will end at the edge of the button.

IMG_8185_1 by my0771, on Flickr

Securing straps are the next thing on my list although I have misplaced the template for the ends I also need to make the pieces that hold the securing studs as the bolts are not long enough to go through the sides of the case.
I had planned on making them in a diamond shape using the nib type design only smaller but I cant get it to work, I will have another try tomorrow.

Thanks for looking

Michael