Volume ONE Perel At SToHLMAN 7) a = - [a a 7 IS e y aa 2 a = a ae aaA PEW OF THE C FEATURED IN THIS BOOK TUBULAR CASES FORMING LEATHER CASES STE EN-STEP INSTRUCTIONS,The ART of faking —__ EATHER., CASES ceceee s+ Volume I AvSroutman This Volume introduces you to the various methods of makcing patterns and the many techniques of farming leathers over wooden farms and odd shaped articles. Obviously, wo cannot include a case for every object made within the pags of this volume. We have tried to select a wide variety of items of different shapes and sizes, to include as many construction techniques as possible, When reading the text, accompa ying each illustration, be sure to ena febserve the many rnocatluns on the sketch. To conzorve space, we {ry to get es much, instructional infor maton “on ach ‘page posible. a “abe” ‘oa sketches ‘Estab Shading and suppting onthe illustrations indicate grain and Be sure wo read the text Sides" of ‘the Of the leather Becompanyine each sketch ro pe Tie ARTS faki ng__ “ SLEATHER., CASES AUSrounan “This wil be © continvaton of VOLUME |. Ic will begin with the making of handles, Thove wil be at least eighisen styls. VOLUME: will sso {ature much zipper information: How to inital zippers in various cats, C how to, shorten "your wn zipper from zipper sloek VOLUME Il will sho furnish perterns!and contruction techaleues ‘or: Bos type cass, Tolletiy, Travel, Knitting, Guitar, Briotcaves,ané many ‘ATHIRD VOLUME wil bo required to show how to maka various cases for carbines 1 ‘sai for break-down shotguns, tc. Special techniques wil itustrate how to form ti ine sing pioce of heavy leather for the scope mounted rile cases, Additional inytructc will bona for attaching rifle cos 10 your ead “Thos wil be the most complete books over published! on the ART of MAKING LEATHER. CASES! The knowledge presented should enable you ta make a leathor cass for any article ‘you with 12 carry ar protect. You will learn to properly make cases for durability and they {Nill bo professional rian. The step by stop drawings er carefully, v ‘nd pain fawly iluetrnea each stago of construction Hoprtutly, answered, incresve your Ietharcraft Knowledke, make your leatherwork more profitable and enjoyable,‘— EATHER,, CASES .........\olineI Au STOHLMAN All of the projects shown in this book are completely sewn by hand (with the exception of three. One; laced. Twvo; by buckstitching) using the methods and techniques shown in the book pictured below. This book shows all of the tools required for hand sewing. It contains necessary information for the successful making of leather cases. Therefore, . .to avoid duplication and the unnecessary adcition of pages, we refer you to this book where a leather case is to be sown, Wo will indicate the type of joint to be sewn, and the page No, of this book on which the stitching instructions are shawn. We will designate the above book withthe letters: HS. Thus, as an example, when a leather case is to be sewn with a “miter joint” our instructional copy will include: (see Hi page 22). This simply means that on paye 22 of “The ART of HAND SEWING Leather", complete instructons ae given on how to sew the miter joint. This will eliminate excessive copy in this book and enable us to devote more space for comprhensive illustrations and instructions on the making of LEATHER CASES, Copyright 1979, Tandy Leather Co., Fort Worth, TasosINTRODUCTION We will not go into the history of making leather cates. ..you ean got this information from oneyelopedias. Our purpose, here, to tereh you how to make a leather case for almost any article you wish to carry or protect. Full Size cutting patterns are given where practeal, and suggestions for altering Patterns to fita larger, smatier, of simitar item will be indicated LEATHER: The weight (thickness) of leather, is meaurad in ounces, 1 02. leather is equal to 1/64" in thickness, 4 oz. leather equels 1/16" in thickness. Boz. leather equals 1/8” in thickness, Thoretora, when an ec cal (or Soe, leather it should be about 3/32" in thickness. The desination: 78.02. means qh leather can be slighely fess than, and Up to, 1/8” thiknas, Th wide Tounces) and typer oF different leathers are importunt in the construction of leather cases. largely determined by re purpose of the cae, Cres receiving rough abuse and ‘stress. naturally shauld have heavier and firmer laathers in their construction. Certain types of sewing stitches and constuc- tion details will also increase their life and usefulness. We will endeavor to clearly illustrate all of these, with the projects shown. ATTACHMENTS: Also, of great importance, is the proper attachment of handles, strap carriers, buckles, loops, etc. These items, poorly asembled, can lead toan early break-down of an otherwise useful and atractive case. We will show you various methods, and why and where they should ke wed. CASING THE LEATHER: Proper “casing’” (moisture content) of leathers (such as vegetable tanned, used in carving and stamping designs) tobe shaped over an article, or wood form, is very important. The leather should be thoroughly immersed in water until the air bubbles stop rising, This can be from 10 minutes to an hour or more, Yau cannot get it too wat! It is then enclosed in a plastic bag {or air-tight container) fora few houts or overnight, 30 that it “sweats” and the moisture thoroughly saturates all ofthe leather fibars, Before using, it must then be removed from the big and placed on the bonch {grain sida up) so that most af the surface moisture con evaporate, Through experience only, you will learn when it i “just rit” for forming . . a8 it will streteh and compress easily. . much 25 modeling ley. WAND SHOE Tack HAND SHOE TACKS: Throughout this book we show how tacks are used to hold parts of the case together, to aid in sewing the joints, These tacks should be avaitable in most shoe-findings stores or sadclery supply outlets Any small ‘tack will suffice. Any metal {other than brass, copper, siver, etc.| wil leave a dark stain on damp leather due to chemical reaction. This will be of no concern if the tacks are placed in the sewing channels, a the stitching will Bon. cover the marks (see pags 20). This can be totally sliminated by coating the ‘tacks with metal lacquer or shellac, nevune SIZE {t is our hope that the knowledge and instructions presented in this book will ensble you to successfully make leather cases that are both useful and attrac \ tive, . .be it for fun, personal satisfaction, or profit. Join me, then, in MAKING LEATHER CASES. At Stohlman(ETHODS of CONTAINING STRAPS on CASES ‘ A. simple meshod of containing strane. on 1/8” longer than the width of 1 strap simply threads through the slots. Punch out the slots with a proper size bag punch, Or, punch holes and cut out theslot between them as shown at right, Other methods of containing leather straps are shown below. The loop (keeper) strips are usually cut of lighter weight leather, and narrower, than the strap to be contained, It is good practice to cut a long strip of “loop-stock” when several loops are required. You can then edae and burnish the total length of the strip much easier and faster than short pieces. Then, you simply cut off the length Of loops as required, wien corring our ‘ioe efor Always ag note oh anew ALTERNATE METHODS OM HEAVY LearueRs, EDGER, LTE RNOTE SEO sae ater She Sans 5 reas es cet coo method if much outward Loop aimars Beat mn toe Bee ney FLATTER. 3 auars sive yP Bele Slots are eut in the case (same width as loop). Loop ends enter sl spread outward and rivet to case, Will withstand much strain. Shield-shaped decor loop ends sewn to case. Is strong and enhances general appearance of the case, This mothod can be used close to edge of case where Tae there is no room for rivet. RESID: End (1) goes in slot and yer Hike rivets to case. End (2) goes to opposite slot and rivets, To determine the length ofthe loop (for examples AC) moisten the This is good to use when the strip and form over the strap by strap runs horizontally, and pressing down firmly and rubbing the case weight is pulli on the bone folder as shown above. end (1), see below. “tote 1a Exnmpue ©)