Steps to make an iPad case. Thanks to my lovely wife for taking the photos. You should check out her real photos:
http://kvedisonnaturephotos.smugmug.com/
It all starts here (sorry, cow!)
Starting points
Hermann Oak cowhide
Laying out the pieces
Like making a puzzle
Details of layout
Need a sharp knife.
Rough cutting parts
Cutting
After 3 iPads removed
3 iPad cases in the raw
Wetting case for molding
Wooden iPad form
Forming the wet leather
Rubbing it into shape
Leather is very pliable
The iPad is starting to to emerge
Almost done with forming
Wet iPad case on wooden iPad form
Heavy bag to weight it down while it dries
Another bag. I move these around as it dries.
Now I’m carving a “Sol LeWitt” design.
The lines are carved with a swivel knife
Now for the stamp while the leather is damp
Stamp
Setting the stamp
Edison Leather Works
Formed and carved case drying
Punching holes for the speaker
Speaker holes
Slot for volume control
Slot for on-off
Hole for camera
Detail of cutouts
Headphone hole with round end punch
Headphone hole
Finishing off cut outs
Charging slot
Testing for the fit on my iPad
Half round for front piece
Cutting the opening for the screen
Front piece
Testing pieces for fit
Slot for cards, etc.
Cutting card slots out
Rounding the edges
Stamping the inside cover
Rubbing edges
Dye for edges with high-tech tool
Dying edges of cover
Putting on decorative bevel
Punch to finish corners
Detail of cover piece
Time to glue!
Applying glue to pieces
Letting glue dry slightly
Fitting pieces together with wooden form
Getting things to line up
Pinching glue joints together
Rubbing things into place
Good stopping point
Marks for stiches
Roll around the whole case
Stich wheel
Case ready to sew!
Thread for hand stitching
I needed better glasses for this step!
Starting the hand stitching
Two needle hand stitching
Detail of stitches. Mr. Ginder taught me how to hand stitch.
Getting there…
Trimming the edges
Almost looking like an iPad case now
Rounding the edges
Rounding the inside edges too.
Wetting the whole thing (damp, not soaking)
Rubbing the edges
Smooth edges!
Dying the edges
Be careful!
After dye, rub again for real shine
Apply neatsfoot oil
Need to oil quickly and uniformly. Several light coats best.
Oiling insides
Almost done…
Wooden form back in.
Checking the fit of the cover
Front of finished case (also stained)
Back of finished case
Happy guy!
Art's Musings, etc. 