Jump to content

Ultra-Cheap Diy Pen Case

headchange4u

By headchange4u
in Paper and Pen Paraphernalia

 Share

Recommended Posts

headchange4u Dipped Only

headchange4u

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hello FPN! Recent fountain pen addict here.

 

I own a couple small pen cases, but, as many of you may have had the same experience, my pen collection has quickly outgrown the storage I have available. I was cleaning some pens last night with a microfiber cloth when I thought to myself that a pen case lined with this soft cloth would be great. Then an idea struck me. I taught myself to use a sewing machine several years ago when I started making my own outdoor gear like hammocks, tarps, stuff sacks, etc. Putting these skills to use, in about 10 minutes, I turned a standard microfiber cloth (MFC) into a functional, albeit slightly ghetto, pen case.

 

I started with your standard MFC. I think I got a huge pack of them from Sam's Club for like $12, so the cost of this individual cloth is probably less than .50. Lamy Al-Star for scale (no bananas available at the time).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/IMG_20150501_194649.jpg

 

Next, using the Lamy to measure, I folded over one end of the cloth to get an idea of how deep the slots needed to be:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/IMG_20150501_194747.jpg

 

And then from there I pretty much sewed along the edges and then started sewing "channels" large enough to accept a pen. I had experiment a few times to get the right width for the channels. The first one I did came out pretty narrow and was just big enough for a Cross pencil. Once I decided on how wide the channels need to be I used masking tape to mark the width of the channel and started sewing. I left a large pocket one one side that was large enough for a pen box, but could be used for other items as well. I also used a piece of gutted paracord sewn to one edge so that I could roll up the pens and secure them.

 

Anyway, this prototype was not at all pretty, but could hold about 12 or 13 pens if I left out the large pocket on the one side. Although it's not a looker, it's a super soft home for some of my pens, and it still pulls double duty as a polishing cloth. Enjoy some more pictures:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/IMG_20150501_195903.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/IMG_20150501_201605.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/IMG_20150501_201638.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v704/headchange4u/IMG_20150501_201730.jpg

Edited by headchange4u
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 21
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • headchange4u

    8

  • CarlosCaligrafia

    3

  • Tanzanite

    2

  • Lamyrada

    2

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Posted Images

headchange4u Dipped Only

headchange4u

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks. I'm thinking the next one I make might be a 2 layer, with an outer fabric that looks a bit better, something like a nice abrasive-resistance Cordura or rip stop, with the MFC or fleece interior.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CarlosCaligrafia Mint

CarlosCaligrafia

Posted
Posted

I'm really glad I read this post, so simple but useful. I picked a microfiber for glass and sewed the pouch! It is Spartan but I love how useful it is!

 

You should try this microfiber is finer than the traditional MF

post-71802-0-79461800-1430686661_thumb.jpg

Pens:

Sheaffer Targa M / Parker 45 M / Sheaffer Imperial M / Parker Arrow

Lamy Vista F / Lamy Safari EF / PELIKAN M400 M Vintage (for sale)

Pilot Custom 74 F / Namiki Falcon SF / Pilot VP M / Pilot Prera / Pilot Metropolitan F M

Sailor Sapporo B / Platinum 3776 BB Stub

Pilot Custom 91 SFM / Pilot Custom 74 Dark Blue B

INSTAGRAM: @carlosoutfocus

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CarlosCaligrafia Mint

CarlosCaligrafia

Posted
Posted

😎

post-71802-0-73707900-1430698570_thumb.jpg

Pens:

Sheaffer Targa M / Parker 45 M / Sheaffer Imperial M / Parker Arrow

Lamy Vista F / Lamy Safari EF / PELIKAN M400 M Vintage (for sale)

Pilot Custom 74 F / Namiki Falcon SF / Pilot VP M / Pilot Prera / Pilot Metropolitan F M

Sailor Sapporo B / Platinum 3776 BB Stub

Pilot Custom 91 SFM / Pilot Custom 74 Dark Blue B

INSTAGRAM: @carlosoutfocus

Link to comment
Share on other sites
headchange4u Dipped Only

headchange4u

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Very nice.

 

The towels I used I have had a really fluffy side. I was worried about them jamming either the feed or the needle of the sewing machine, so I turned the fluffiest part inside so it would be in contact with the pens. I had also thought about using fleece but it's hard to sew.It tends to stretch the deform as it goes through the machine. I also heard wool would make a good lining, but I'm not ready to cut up my old army blanket just yet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Anne-Sophie Antique

Anne-Sophie

Posted
Posted

Smart use of readily available fabric and a really cosy pen case, well done!

Is it fair for an intelligent and family oriented mammal to be separated from his/her family and spend his/her life starved in a concrete jail?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tanzanite Vintage

Tanzanite

Posted
Posted

Just a thought... Microfibre cloths made for cleaning are made to rub off dirt and are therefor abrasive, even though it feels soft. There is a risk that shiny resin pens will become less shiny.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
headchange4u Dipped Only

headchange4u

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I don't think microfiber is abrasive. It's the way the cloth is made that makes it clean so well. I know a lot of detailers use MFC the wipe down cars and many cloths that are made to clean monitors and glasses are made from microfiber. I don't think that they would be made for such tasks if there was potential to scratch.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tanzanite Vintage

Tanzanite

Posted
Posted

There are different kinds of microfibre cloths made for different purposes. It is best to read at the package. Some have warnings against use on sensitive surfaces.

 

Using soft fabric to make a penroll is a great idea though. Nice and comfy for the pens :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
headchange4u Dipped Only

headchange4u

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I looked the towel up that I used and it is listed as "lint free & scratch free". That's good to know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Frank C Collectors Item

Frank C

Posted
Posted

Wow! I really like that case. I don't know how to sew with a sewing machine. Have you considered selling them?

"One can not waste time worrying about small minds . . . If we were normal, we'd still be using free ball point pens." —Bo Bo Olson

 

"I already own more ink than a rational person can use in a lifetime." —Waski_the_Squirrel

 

I'm still trying to figure out how to list all my pens down here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
headchange4u Dipped Only

headchange4u

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Wow! I really like that case. I don't know how to sew with a sewing machine. Have you considered selling them?

 

Sorry but no, I'm not planning on selling them. Just sharing an idea with the community. The sewing skills needed are very basic, so even if you don't own a sewing machine or know how to sew, chances are that someone you know does. You may ask them to help you out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
graystranger Extremely Rare

graystranger

Posted
Posted

Just a thought... Microfibre cloths made for cleaning are made to rub off dirt and are therefor abrasive, even though it feels soft. There is a risk that shiny resin pens will become less shiny.

 

Just because something is made to rub off dirt does not mean it is abrasive.

 

The high nap microfiber fabrics, and their split-fibers, have an increased surface area, and the greater number of fibers in contact with the surface will remove grease, oils, etc. faster than the smooth nap fabrics. Plus, the fibers are so fine they are likely finer than what was used to shine the resin to begin with. Microfiber fibers are smaller than cotton fibers.

 

Still, it is best to read the label on anything like this to see if it is 100% polyester and that it is not made to shine jewelry (which would have a polishing agent and maybe chemicals).

Eschew Sesquipedalian Obfuscation

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Lamyrada Extremely Rare

Lamyrada

Posted
Posted (edited)

I'm really glad I read this post, so simple but useful. I picked a microfiber for glass and sewed the pouch! It is Spartan but I love how useful it is!

 

You should try this microfiber is finer than the traditional MF

Very nice, qhere can one get one? I mean the microfiber for glass?

Edited by Lamyrada
Link to comment
Share on other sites
CarlosCaligrafia Mint

CarlosCaligrafia

Posted
Posted

Very nice, qhere can one get one? I mean the microfiber for glass?

Walmart :)

Pens:

Sheaffer Targa M / Parker 45 M / Sheaffer Imperial M / Parker Arrow

Lamy Vista F / Lamy Safari EF / PELIKAN M400 M Vintage (for sale)

Pilot Custom 74 F / Namiki Falcon SF / Pilot VP M / Pilot Prera / Pilot Metropolitan F M

Sailor Sapporo B / Platinum 3776 BB Stub

Pilot Custom 91 SFM / Pilot Custom 74 Dark Blue B

INSTAGRAM: @carlosoutfocus

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Most Contributions

    1. amberleadavis
      amberleadavis
      43844
    2. PAKMAN
      PAKMAN
      33583
    3. Ghost Plane
      Ghost Plane
      28220
    4. inkstainedruth
      inkstainedruth
      26772
    5. jar
      jar
      26105

  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

    • Shanghai Knife Dude
      Links to web pages or articles about Chinese typesetting, signwriting, etc.

      By Shanghai Knife Dude · Posted

      I have the Sailor Naginata and some fancy blade nibs coming after 2022 by a number of new workshop from China.  With all my respect, IMHO, they are all (bleep) in doing chinese characters.  Go use a bush, or at least a bush pen. 
    • A Smug Dill
      Skeleton of a primer for a budding hobbyist

      By A Smug Dill · Posted

      It is the reason why I'm so keen on the idea of a personal library — of pens, nibs, inks, paper products, etc. — and spent so much money, as well as time and effort, to “build” it for myself (because I can't simply remember everything, especially as I'm getting older fast) and my wife, so that we can “know”; and, instead of just disposing of what displeased us, or even just not good enough to be “given the time of day” against competition from >500 other pens and >500 other inks for our at
    • adamselene
      Skeleton of a primer for a budding hobbyist

      By adamselene · Posted

      Agreed.  And I think it’s good to be aware of this early on and think about at the point of buying rather than rationalizing a purchase..
    • A Smug Dill
      Skeleton of a primer for a budding hobbyist

      By A Smug Dill · Posted

      Alas, one cannot know “good” without some idea of “bad” against which to contrast; and, as one of my former bosses (back when I was in my twenties) used to say, “on the scale of good to bad…”, it's a spectrum, not a dichotomy. Whereas subjectively acceptable (or tolerable) and unacceptable may well be a dichotomy to someone, and finding whether the threshold or cusp between them lies takes experiencing many degrees of less-than-ideal, especially if the decision is somehow influenced by factors o
    • adamselene
      Skeleton of a primer for a budding hobbyist

      By adamselene · Posted

      I got my first real fountain pen on my 60th birthday and many hundreds of pens later I’ve often thought of what I should’ve known in the beginning. I have many pens, the majority of which have some objectionable feature. If they are too delicate, or can’t be posted, or they are too precious to face losing , still they are users, but only in very limited environments..  I have a big disliking for pens that have the cap jump into the air and fly off. I object to Pens that dry out, or leave blobs o

  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    Load More

  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...