Request For Suggestions - Making A Playing Card Case

[UKRay]

One of my challenges this month is to come up with designs for both single pack and double pack playing card cases. I have made a few trial attempts but haven't come up with anything that I feel is profoundly different to anything else on the market. In fact, although they work perfectly well, I'll be honest and tell you that my designs are downright dull.

Now, before you tell me I need to cover the thing all over with carving, spray it all the colours of the rainbow and smother the outside in conchos, buckles, spots and every other kind of decorative metalwork I ought to point out that I'd like it to be undecorated (plain, untooled) and derive its 'style and credibility' from the design.

My question is: how would you approach this? Would you make it with straps? Would you make an 'all-over' case. Wet formed? Stitched or riveted? Soft or hard leather? How would you do it?

Any pictures would be very gratefully received and all suggestions welcomed.

Thanks guys,

Ray

[Jazznow]

hi, i saw an card case on an garage sale some weeks ago. It was a little bit like a book cover, so the top the bottom and the left side were one piece of leather. the three other side were closed by a zipper that closed the case. 

Very simple but i liked the idea and you sounded like wanting something simple but beautiful  

Greetings Jazznow

[Spinner]

Just throwing this out there but what about cases that look like a pair of saddle bags?

stitch the backs together so that the throw over bridge becomes a loop/handle...just a thought. Could then be made as complicated or as simple as desired.

[UKRay]

Just throwing this out there but what about cases that look like a pair of saddle bags?

stitch the backs together so that the throw over bridge becomes a loop/handle...just a thought. Could then be made as complicated or as simple as desired.

Y'know Spinner, that was close to where I got to. I even pulled a pattern together for a case but when I made it up I couldn't get it to look right. The one good thing about it was it held a packet of tobacco just right and still had room for some rolling papers, filters and a lighter. LOL

Seriously, I'm wondering if the design brief needs to be a little more flexible. Maybe I need to look again at a single piece case like the one in the picture. It wouldn't be too difficult to make it fit quite snugly especially if I were to wet form it. Anyone got any thoughts on this?

Ray

See picture:

[Spinner]

Y'know Spinner, that was close to where I got to. I even pulled a pattern together for a case but when I made it up I couldn't get it to look right. The one good thing about it was it held a packet of tobacco just right and still had room for some rolling papers, filters and a lighter. LOL

Seriously, I'm wondering if the design brief needs to be a little more flexible. Maybe I need to look again at a single piece case like the one in the picture. It wouldn't be too difficult to make it fit quite snugly especially if I were to wet form it. Anyone got any thoughts on this?

Ray

See picture:

The wet molded version sounds similar to this tank bib pocket I made only doubled up so it folds in on itself.

I think it would work nicely and should be easy enough to make with a wooden form.

[Luke Hatley]

Y'know Spinner, that was close to where I got to. I even pulled a pattern together for a case but when I made it up I couldn't get it to look right. The one good thing about it was it held a packet of tobacco just right and still had room for some rolling papers, filters and a lighter. LOL

Seriously, I'm wondering if the design brief needs to be a little more flexible. Maybe I need to look again at a single piece case like the one in the picture. It wouldn't be too difficult to make it fit quite snugly especially if I were to wet form it. Anyone got any thoughts on this?

Ray

See picture:

are thoes rolling papers E Z WIDERS ?

[UKRay]

are thoes rolling papers E Z WIDERS ?

Nah - just straight Rizlas, cousin. However, I do believe the wide ones would fit nicely too... LOL

Nice job on the tank bib pocket Spinner. I had a look at your Etsy site too - very nice work!

I was thinking of making a 'playing card pack sized' piece of wood and wet forming the 'pockets' around it. I'm hoping the same pouch can be tweaked to accommodate several different items.

Anyone ever made a multi-use pouch and customised it by wet forming different shapes into it?

Ray

Pic is of the same pouch but snapped shut. The leather is neatsfoot oil finished and polished in a pocket... the scuff will vanish with a drop more oil.

[Spinner]

I have experimented with that idea actually Ray. I don't have pictures unfortunately but the one I was playing with was a cigarrette and lighter combo clutch. I took a piece of 1/2" thick panelling (poplar I believe) and cut the shapes I wanted for the cig pack and lighter. I then cut another piece that was a little larger than the size of the back piece and glued them all together in the right spots. Once in place, it was simply a matter of wet molding, working from the indention between the two 'forms' to the outsides. I used binder clips to hold down the edges and press the corners and it worked nicely.