Complete Beginner - Can Someone Look Over My Order (Am I Missing Anything?)

[Dwight]

On another website, . . . I found the dimensions of a Kindle as: "The size of the reading device is 7.5 inches by 5.3 inches by 0.7 inches".

The case you are wanting to make is very simple in it's design, . . . a basic cross that has some shaved corners.

If their dimensions are correct for your tablet, . . . the piece of leather you will need will be about 14 or 15 inches wide and about 19 inches long.

One of the first rules of leatherworking I use, . . . Always cut leather from a pattern ! And the underline is "Always".

So, . . . lets make a pattern: I use manila file folders, . . . get em on sale at the local office stores, . . . even got a box once which had blue, pink, yellow, green, grey, . . . that was a fun time

In picture 1, we have laid the tablet down and made sure we have enough file folder to go all 4 directions. I did this by taping an extra piece on the right hand side.

Picture 2 shows it outlined.

Picture 3 shows the outline, with my Ipad junior that I used for the pattern making.

Picture 4 shows a leather working technique, never cut a square inside corner if you can get away with it, . . . punch a round hole and cut away from the sides of that hole. This hole is about 1/2 inch in diameter.

Picture 5 shows the whole thing cut out and ready to check the fit.

Picture 6 shows the pattern folded and fitting around the tablet.

(Go to next post, . . . not enough room to finish here)

[Dwight]

Picture 6 also showed that I made an exective level 7 decision as to how much to bevel off the corners of the cross. Look at the pencil point, . . . that is where my eyeball said "this would look good right here" so I marked it there.

Picture 7 then shows that piece cut off, . . .

Picture 7 and 8 both show my technologically improved rounding corner device (a washer) which I used to trace the "roundness" I wanted for the corners.

NOTE: When I cut off that first corner, . . . I saved that piece, . . . it is then used as the pattern to cut the other 4 corners of the wider pieces. I then checked and found it would also work esthetically for the other two flaps, . . . so that first piece cut off, . . . is used for all the corners cut, . . . using also the washer to round the corners.

Picture 9 shows cutting the corners on the two end flaps

Picture 10 shows how the whole pattern looks when it is cut out.

Picture 11 is the pattern cut and folded around my Ipad with the top up.

Picture 12 is the pattern cut and folded with the top taped down, simulating it being closed and ready for carry.

You will find that you need to take your time making this, . . . do not get in a hurry, . . . and you will enjoy the process.

I would make my pattern, . . . take it to the leather store of your choice, . . . and have them help you pick out your piece of leather.

Personally, . . . I have had good luck with the shoulder leather I get from Tandy, . . . but then again, . . . I don't order it, . . . I personally go in, . . . pick it out, . . . looking at the front, back, and gauging the thickness with a dial caliper.

Yes, . . . I'm picky in choosing my leather, . . . but it makes a better product that way.

Welcome to the wonderful world of leathercrafting.

May God bless,

Dwight

[pbj]

Incredibly helpful! Thanks so much for the above - will really help me get started. I'm just now anxiously awaiting my order, but will be pattern-making in the meantime.

Will update everyone with how it goes!

[electrathon]

Actually if you look close the one dwight drew up, it is much better proportioned and layed out than the tanner goods one is. The corners are very important on a pattern.