A New Case

[MY63]

I am making a new case for myself the design comes from some old English cases that I have restored. Although the handle design is a combination of an old Gladstone bag I am working on and a video I saw on youtube.

I am using a London Tan English bridle hide from Sedgewick's.

Hopefully I have uploaded three pictures one shows my components all the brassware is made by Abbey England and was very reasonably priced.

The other two show the handle which is the first piece I have made there is a full story on my blog if anyone is interested.

As the interior will be green suede I have decided to use green thread I am not 100% sure of this (thread colour) but I am going with for now.

Thanks

MIchael

Edited October 18, 2015 by MY63

[MonicaJacobson]

I'll be interested to see how it turns out.

[MY63]

Thanks Monica

I am happy to share the progress.

This morning I have marked out and cut the front flap the document case I used for my inspiration has gone to a new home and although I have others in my restoration queue they are all slightly different.

I wanted to check the symmetry of the curves so I made a single corner piece which was a really good idea as they did not match.

Edited October 19, 2015 by MY63

[MY63]

Here is todays progress I cut out the pieces using the templates I made this morning.

I marked out the gusset piece and used a groving tool to score the inside of the leather which I then wet to make it easier to bend.

More detail on my blog

Michael

[AndersenLeather]

I also really look forward seeing the end result as well as the progress. I also looked at your blog but did not have time to go through everything. Very fun to see the old bags. Do you restore them for others and just for fun?

What is the thickness of the leather? It seems that you use the same thickness for both the main parts as well as the gusset. If have never tried this because I was afraid the the gusset would be too stiff. From the last picture it looks good.

[MY63]

The thickness was a compromise I decided on 2 mm after speaking to the guys at Abbey England my plan is to keep this case so I will find out if it does not work.

I have thinned the leather around the joints and plan on lining the whole thing in green suede. I think it will be ok strength wise once it is sewn together.

The old document cases have the trade name pendragon on them the name is now owned by Swaine Aideny Brigg which having read your thread elsewhere I am sure you will recognise.

I am quite lucky the two document cases I restored recently were sold before I had a chance to advertise them but my main aim in restoration was to learn how to make cases.

[MY63]

Yesterday I learned another important lesson don't assume you have plenty of suede just because it is rolled up and wrapped.

So as you can see from the pictures I started making the little stuff. The straps and buckle holders as well as the anchor points for the "D" rings for the shoulder strap.

In the first picture you can see where I marked out the wrong arc for the "D" ring anchors I spotted this before I started cutting.

Edited October 21, 2015 by MY63

[MY63]

I had a bit of a panic yesterday in my mind I had decided that the front of this case would look really good if the centre of the lock was in line with the buckles.

Somehow this became more important than the actual position that the lock needed to be in for the flap to close onto. I was quite relieved to dry fit everything and found that it still worked.

The handle is my next concern as I now feel it is a little too large for this case it is 175 mm between centres the case is 400 mm wide

If anyone has any thoughts I would love to hear them

[MY63]

I am still undecided about the handle although I think there is a chance I will keep it.

In the mean time I have made the shoulder strap I wanted to have adjustment on both sides so I have attached the trigger hooks to the buckles with short pieces of leather.

[Bob Blea]

Nice work so far. Just my opinion but I think the size of the handle looks fine compared to the rest of the case.

[MY63]

Thanks Bob

I think you are right the handle will stay as it is.

[MY63]

I fitted the handle and have finally started assembly the back and middle sections are sewn together and I am about to start sewing the front in place.

[MY63]

My search for suitable rivets has been successful the attached pictures show the hasp now riveted in place and the fastening straps glued in place.

Edges next.

[MY63]

This has been a long road which I have thoroughly enjoyed the English bridle leather is a dream to work with.

The corners of the gusset were the hardest thing to get my head around.

Thanks for looking and especially to those who took the time to comment

[MonicaJacobson]

Really nice work. You've got a few stitching inconsistencies here and there, but you started with a difficult project, and you made it look great. Congratulations! I'm sure the next thing you make will look even better.

[Wild Bill46]

Thank you for your efforts in showing us your procedure in increments, Much appreciated !

I think your a fine craftsman, by the way this turned out ! ------- Wild Bill46

[Tugadude]

Looks great and there was a lot of work involved. One suggestion would be on the shoulder pad. Next time you might use a wing divider or stitching groover to scribe a line for your stitching. You ended up with rounded corners on the leather and rectangular lines of stitching. Do one or the other but they should match. A divider or groover will follow the curves and help your stitching match the shape of the pad.

Edited December 3, 2015 by Tugadude

[MY63]

Thanks for the kind words.

I am unable to sew for long periods and think my problems with stitching are where I have stopped and started more practice may well help with this.

Tugadude I made the pad too large and decided to cut it down after I had sewn it together I have some leather left over so I will be making another.

Michael

Edited December 5, 2015 by MY63