I Made This

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/45002872

Over a year ago I posted a needle pouch I had made, I still use this all the time but there were always a few elements I wasn't overly keen on. So when my friend's birthday was approaching I wanted to make her something and she is a keen cross stitcher, so I thought about making her a case like mine which she had seen and liked before.

So I set about making my own variation on the original pattern, it is mostly subtle, mostly just tweaking a few measurements but also to add a closure to it.

I also took the opportunity to add my favourite design feature, the X stitch that I use to combine two different pieces of leather to create a bit more visual interest.

The straps were a new idea for me, I could have done a standard snap closure like I've done a million times before, or I could have attached some straps and snaps directly to it but I do like making some sightly odd features sometimes and I liked the idea of a strap that loops around and attaches to itself. This meant I only needed one rivet to attach the strap to the body and the snaps could both be added to the strap. One benefit of this, with the time pressure I was under to finish it, was that had I messed up installing the snaps, I wasn't going to damage the otherwise finished case. I also didn't have to design and plan for the attachment points during the process. Is it the most practical closure? No. But do I like it as a bit of a quirky thing? Absolutely. One funny effect of this is that it ended up looking like some weird creature, particularly when open with the straps extended!

It all came together pretty easily, nothing exactly complicated in the construction other than some really awkward stitch spacing on the pockets, I really need to start designing things with the stitch spacing in mind - my 3.8mm chisels are just a bit awkward in that sense...

So yeah, very pleased with the outcome and she was really happy with her gift!