Pen Case Instructions
1. Check you have everything in your kit
- Pre-cut and Punched Leather Piece
- 3 x Canvas Cloth for burnishing & protecting
- 2 x Binder Clips to help you stitch
- 2 x Colours of Handmade Waxed Thread
- 1 x Keyring Loop
- 2 x Sewing Needles
You will also need:
- Small pair of scissors
- Your quality time, 2-3 hours
- A small pot of water
2. Measure the thread
Your Pen Case has 1 stitching section so you will only need to cut a single 60cm length of thread. Start by choosing the thread colour that you would like to stitch with, then measure and cut the 60cm piece of wax thread.
3. Burnish the top edge (the edge with no stitch holes)
Burnishing leather is the process of sealing and smoothing the rough, raw edges of a leather item to produce professionally finished edges.
Start burnishing by using your fingertip to gently wet the outer edges of your Pen Case (these are the edges without the punched holes). Be careful not to get any liquid on the leather surface. Using one of the canvas cloths provided, rub the outer edge until smooth and shiny.
Top Tip!
Use a cotton bud for extra precision when wetting the edge so as not to damage the leather surface.
Did you know?
Beeswax is one of the oldest conditioning treatments still used today in many ways. It helps to finish leather edges, waterproof leather, forms cord, thread and lubricates lace for easier stitching and lacing.
4. Thread the needles
A. Thread the eye of the needle with the thread measuring 40cm.
B. Pull through 6-8cm of thread and then pierce the thread.
C. Pierce the thread again at 1cm distance along the long piece of thread.
D. Holding the needle tip, pull down the entire thread. This is called locking the needle.
E. Follow steps A-D with the other end of the thread and second needle.
5. Fold leather and clip in place
Fold the piece of leather in half so that the stitch holes align. Then hold in place with the binder clips, using the cloth to protect the leather.
6. Sew sides together
Pass one needle through the top hole (indicated) and pull the thread through until you have an even amount on both sides.
7. Create a simple secure bar tack stitch
By bringing the right hand needle up and over to the other side, pushing the needle through and back to the right side, create a loop of thread.
Pull this firmly closed and repeat on the other side.
8. Saddle stitch along the stitch section
A. With one hand, take the needle from one side of your Pen Case and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.
B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.
C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.
D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole.
9. Secure the thread
Once you've reached the end you will need to secure your thread. To do this you can use back stitch. Change direction of the stitch and stitch back 3 stitches, then cut the thread as close to the hole as possible and tuck away any visible ends with the back side of your needle.
10. Final burnish of the joined edges (see photos above and step 3)
Finished Leather Pen Case!
Ta-daa! Congratulations, you have now finished your personally crafted .Ar:ti|sans Pen Case!
We would love to see your creation and what you do with it! Share it with us and our crafting community so we can celebrate your leathercraft dexterity. Tag us @artisans.life on Instagram (using the hashtag #artisanslife), to tell us what you enjoyed most about the making experience.
P.S. Did you recognise our Keyring Kit wrapped in your thread? Now you can now practice your leathercraft skills further by crafting your very own leather keyring! Click here to access the Keyring Craft Kit instructions blog.
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