Help making a leather case for a handheld game

[Fritzy]

Hi All,

After reading for a few days, seems like the knowledgeable people on there might have a good idea on how to do what I'm looking for.

A friend of mine has a Nintendo DS Lite, and asked me to make a leather case to carry it in. It's got a shiny plastic surface that's prone to scratching, so he wants a case to fit in his pocket. I recommended something out of cloth, but he wants leather. I can't resist a challenge, so I figured I'd see what I can do. So far, I've made a pattern for covering all but one end of the DS. It's a simple slip case. It slides in on the narrow end, and just pressure fits in there. No closures or snaps. Trying to reduce the bulk as much as I can.

So here's my idea. I don't want to "pinch" the seams and stich them, becuase they'll hang out too much. I'm wondering if I can wrap them around, and stitch them. I'm not sure how to stitch something like that thoough. I thought about doing a box stitch on the corner, but this is 3/4 oz leather, and I don't know how that'd work.

Suggestions or Ideas on how to start planning this?

Thanks!

-Fritzy

[Hilly]

Hi Fritzy.

Welcome to the coolest place on the internet! There's so many wonderful people here with lots of leather knowledge.

There's always more than one way to make something, isn't there? I've found a lot of answers on construction techniques in a book called "The Art of Making Leather Cases Vol. 1" by Al Stohlman. It gives very detailed information on making all sorts of small cases, and different approaches on the how to's, or gives you ideas on how to make your own patterns. It's somewhat dated, but the information is still sound. It's available almost anywhere you can buy leathercraft supplies, an also at online book sellers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.)

Just be ready to become addicted to working with leather....

Have fun and post some photos of your finished project!

Hilly

[Jordan]

I don't know if you can tell by the photo but this is how I sewed a cigarette case, it has a loop on the back for a belt.

[Fritzy]

Yeah,

Thats similar to how I want to do it. I'm not doing a closure of any sort.

How did you stitch the sides? Did you just get in there with a pair of pliers when it was closed up and work the needles through?

-Fritzy

[Leerwerker]

Hi Fritzy,

There is a brand new book on the Tandy shelves - just been out a week or so: I'm not even sure of the name, but it is under a KidsCrafts label (I think). It is an excellent book for kids and adults alike who is starting out.

One of the projects in there is a leather case for a gameboy or something and it shows you how to design it. Everything is kept very simple, but it would make it easy to make it a bit smarter than a nine year old would be able to achieve.

Hope this helps!

[tashabear]

Yeah,

Thats similar to how I want to do it. I'm not doing a closure of any sort.

How did you stitch the sides? Did you just get in there with a pair of pliers when it was closed up and work the needles through?

-Fritzy

The needles that Tandy sells for hand sewing are crewel embroidery needles. It's possible to find shorter ones.

Plus, if you do add a closure on the flap, you can make it so it opens on the long side, and it'll be both a shorter seam and give you more room to work. I can think of a couple of ways to do it that won't even require hardware.

[Jordan]

In the tight areas I did use a small pair of needle nose pliers to pull the needle through and the belt loop and flap are one piece that was sewn to the back before making the folds and sewing the sides.

[HandyAndy]

As a person who plays on one of those let me tell you that you shouldn't try making a case that opens up with the game and stays on. Even the expensive cases are clumsy and uncomfortable.

[Fritzy]

@HandyAndy

Yeah,

I've got one too. I looked into a folding case, but a sleeve was a lot smaller, and since it's going in his pocket most of the time, less bulk. Unfortunately, he wants it open on the small end, not the longer side.

-Fritzy