Start out with some 6-7oz vegetable tanned leather (around 2.5mm thickness).
Cut out the parts
The main part is 16.8cm x 21cm with one side having the rounded corners.Two parts for the sides have to be cut with an outer diameter of about 6.8cm and an inner diameter of about 5.4cm. And to close the case, we’ll use a couple of strips of leather (I’ll replace these later).
Bevel the edges
Use a #2 beveller to bevel the edges. Be careful where you’re bevelling! The next image shows more details.
Outlines of bevelling
The edges where the sides will be joined with the main leather are not bevelled.
Mark the stitches
Use a wing divider to mark the stitch line about 4mm from the edges.
Punch stitching holes
The main piece of leather has 21 stitching holes punched with a 2.5mm punch.
The round inside pieces have 20 stitching holes punched with a 2mm punch.
Since the leather is quite thick, the radius of the inside is significantly smaller than the outside and using a closer stitching space helps to compensate for that.
Wet mould the side pieces
Moisten the leather and fold up the sides before letting it dry over night.
Add stitching holes for the closure
The horizontal strip of leather will have to have some slack to make room for the other piece to fit underneath. Make sure to add that when you punch your stitching holes
Dye
Dye all parts of the case. I used an oil based colour called “Saddle Tan” for this one.
Dye the edges
A piece of felt is an easy way to dye the edges black without getting the colour all over the rest of the leather.
Burnish edges
Use a burnisher to smoothen the edges.
Stitching
I hand stitched the closure on the case using artificial sinew.
Stitching the sides
The sides have to be stitched as well before burnishing the edges again and applying any finish to the case. I used Acrylic Resolene to finish the leather.
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10 thoughts on “How to make a cylindrical case for glasses”
Amazing work, I’m impressed (and maybe a little jealous lol) of your skill.
Do you think there would be any issues scaling this design up? Its an interesting design, would look great as a behind the seat bag on a bicycle. A little waterproofing and you would be set.
I think it would be possible to scale up but if you want to use it to store small things (that you might have in your bike toolset), you’d have to make sure there’s not much space between the side walls and the top flap. Or you could add little pockets inside.
As far as I know, the bike “tool roll” (whatever the proper name for it is) is often just a flat piece of material with slots for the tools. And you roll it up and fasten it with a strap of leather. I’ve never had one of them before so I’m not sure how well it works and how it’s attached to the bike. How hard can it be? 😀
Johan says you have your radiuses and diameters confused. The radii of the circles should be 27mm and 34mm. Otherwise the case is big enough for two bowling balls and a packed lunch.
I tried to wet mould the circle, but after that I don’t know why it doesn’t follow the straight side of the big rectangular piece, so I don’t know how to stitch it. Is there any trick to do that?
Not sure I understand the problem but I’ll try:
It helps if you have something to mould it to. Anything round will help to get that shape so that it’ll align. And the tension of the stitching will help too.
Amazing work, I’m impressed (and maybe a little jealous lol) of your skill.
Do you think there would be any issues scaling this design up? Its an interesting design, would look great as a behind the seat bag on a bicycle. A little waterproofing and you would be set.
I think it would be possible to scale up but if you want to use it to store small things (that you might have in your bike toolset), you’d have to make sure there’s not much space between the side walls and the top flap. Or you could add little pockets inside.
As far as I know, the bike “tool roll” (whatever the proper name for it is) is often just a flat piece of material with slots for the tools. And you roll it up and fasten it with a strap of leather. I’ve never had one of them before so I’m not sure how well it works and how it’s attached to the bike. How hard can it be? 😀
Where’s the tutorial on how to purchase one of these… 😉
Good point, haha! I don’t have anything for sale at the moment 🙂 All just for fun
It looks so professional… As everything here, you are amazing.
I’m sure I would make one and I’m waiting for holidays to use it 🙂
Johan says you have your radiuses and diameters confused. The radii of the circles should be 27mm and 34mm. Otherwise the case is big enough for two bowling balls and a packed lunch.
Thanks for noticing! I’ll fix that now
Thanks for the tutorial in anyway. I just finished mine and lined it with green pig suede. Super cool. Thanks.
I tried to wet mould the circle, but after that I don’t know why it doesn’t follow the straight side of the big rectangular piece, so I don’t know how to stitch it. Is there any trick to do that?
Not sure I understand the problem but I’ll try:
It helps if you have something to mould it to. Anything round will help to get that shape so that it’ll align. And the tension of the stitching will help too.