I decided some time ago that I would
like to make a bag to replace my briefcase. Folks don't cart around a
big laptops anymore so something more discreet seems to be in order. It
took me quite a while to decide the form of the case and the features. I
knew a wanted the case to be fairly small and portrait in orientation. I
also knew I want somewhere to store a phone, business cards, pens and a
clip for keys. I had decided against external pockets. The case was
always going to be black leather with chrome or at least shiny metal
fittings. I knew I wanted a “Euro” or “Bauhaus” look to the case.
The first thing to pin down was the dimensions. The biggest thing the case would hold was an Ipad. That set the height and width but what about the depth. I stacked up what I often carry and came up with a depth of 4inches [100mm]. My dimensions are set at 12 x 9 x inches [300x200x100mm]
I decided very early on that I wanted a different way to connect
the strap. I picked up a couple of bridle hooks some time ago. I decided
I would us the hooks to attach the strap. The other thing was that with
the hooks the strap would detach quickly and I could have a great deal
of adjustment on the strap.
I set about designing the internal layout with a view to the order of manufacture. I also wanted to try to use as few stitches as possible as they are visible on the outside face of the piece. I arranged for the fixing of the pen loops and key clip to provide the backing of the bridle hooks. The card and phone holders fitted to the back face of the case. These items needed making and finishing before they were fixed to the case. The next item and possibly the most difficult were to sew the long seams that would close the flat carcass into a box. It was as difficult as predicted since the inside face the box cannot be seen. Finding the stitch holes would not be easy. I got into a rhythm using the tip of the awl as a guide for my fingers to position the needle into the stitch hole from the inside. Patience and not rushing got the job done. Saddle stitching is helpful in this case because as the stitches lock the seam become stable and holds the work in the right position for subsequent stitches.
The next tricky element was to cut the flap to size then fit the turn buckle. The turn buckle has to be fitted perfectly because it the statement piece on the front of the case and one slip here will ruin the whole piece. Full concentration saw the turn buckle fitted correctly. The case just needed all the edges burnishing. The leather the case is made from burnishes quickly which was just as well considering the amount of burnishing that going to be needed on the strap.
The straps were straight forward enough. The short end had a Cavesson buckle fitted. The buckle is stainless steel. The long end was easier still but what it gave in easiness to make it took away in the amount of edge to burnish. The straps where embossed with a pin stripe to give the edge some detailing. The ends of the straps that where to attach to the bridle hooks where marked up to leave a short extension through the loop then had a couple of holes cut for the hook point. As an extra I made a shoulder pad to spread the load of the 1 inch [25mm] strap.
Essentially that was the job finished. I just need a couple of folio corners to add a little detail to the flap and then the piece really is complete.
The first thing to pin down was the dimensions. The biggest thing the case would hold was an Ipad. That set the height and width but what about the depth. I stacked up what I often carry and came up with a depth of 4inches [100mm]. My dimensions are set at 12 x 9 x inches [300x200x100mm]
I set about designing the internal layout with a view to the order of manufacture. I also wanted to try to use as few stitches as possible as they are visible on the outside face of the piece. I arranged for the fixing of the pen loops and key clip to provide the backing of the bridle hooks. The card and phone holders fitted to the back face of the case. These items needed making and finishing before they were fixed to the case. The next item and possibly the most difficult were to sew the long seams that would close the flat carcass into a box. It was as difficult as predicted since the inside face the box cannot be seen. Finding the stitch holes would not be easy. I got into a rhythm using the tip of the awl as a guide for my fingers to position the needle into the stitch hole from the inside. Patience and not rushing got the job done. Saddle stitching is helpful in this case because as the stitches lock the seam become stable and holds the work in the right position for subsequent stitches.
The next tricky element was to cut the flap to size then fit the turn buckle. The turn buckle has to be fitted perfectly because it the statement piece on the front of the case and one slip here will ruin the whole piece. Full concentration saw the turn buckle fitted correctly. The case just needed all the edges burnishing. The leather the case is made from burnishes quickly which was just as well considering the amount of burnishing that going to be needed on the strap.
The straps were straight forward enough. The short end had a Cavesson buckle fitted. The buckle is stainless steel. The long end was easier still but what it gave in easiness to make it took away in the amount of edge to burnish. The straps where embossed with a pin stripe to give the edge some detailing. The ends of the straps that where to attach to the bridle hooks where marked up to leave a short extension through the loop then had a couple of holes cut for the hook point. As an extra I made a shoulder pad to spread the load of the 1 inch [25mm] strap.
Essentially that was the job finished. I just need a couple of folio corners to add a little detail to the flap and then the piece really is complete.
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