Floss Separator

Floss Separator
Floss Separator
Floss Separator

This is a quick, simple tool to assist when separating skeins of kumihimo (or embroidery) floss into working clusters with the desired number of strands.  The upright is a sandwich of a piece of EVA foam between two pieces of 1/4″ stock (MDF here but, something like Baltic birch ply or acrylic should work, too).  The EVA is sliced with a razor blade in the middle of each channel.  Then, just glue it all together with wood glue.  Some clamping is likely required while it dries.

Floss separator, clamped for glue to dry
Floss separator, clamped for glue to dry

It is probably best to clamp it down to a table when using.  Knot the end of the skein/bundle of strands and, slip it into the cut in the EVA.  That should keep the end in place while you separate the full length.

Floss Separator Design Files

These files are for personal, non-commercial use only.  Note that, by referencing these, you are agreeing to release any variations you create under identical terms.

Attribution-Creative Commons NonCommercial-ShareAlikeFloss Separator 1/4″ Stock Cut File (SVG)

Floss Separator EVA Foam Cut File (SVG)

Make a Stitching Pony

Stitching pony cam clamp and body close up
stitching pony full front view
Stitching pony clamp made with laser-cut Baltic birch plywood.
Stitching pony full three-quarter view
Stitching pony clamp made with laser-cut Baltic birch plywood.
Stitching pony clamping a card full view
Stitching pony clamp made with laser-cut Baltic birch plywood.
Stitching pony jaws clamping business card
Stitching pony clamp made with laser-cut Baltic birch plywood.
Stitching pony cam clamp and body close up
Stitching pony clamp made with laser-cut Baltic birch plywood.
Stitching pony jaw open close up
Stitching pony clamp made with laser-cut Baltic birch plywood.
Stitching pony cam clamp close up
Stitching pony clamp made with laser-cut Baltic birch plywood.

My first attempt at saddle stitching on a project made the value of a stitching pony immediately clear to me for that. They also seem to be pretty useful for softly clamping other small things on which one is working. Commercially-made stitching ponies are not particularly expensive or hard to find. I was thinking about the springiness of plywood and, how easy it might be to make something with a simple cam clamp. I gave it a try and, this worked out even better than I expected. I was actually a bit sloppy building this because I assumed it was going to be a prototype I threw away. It works great and, seems to be everything I need for now, though.

Design Files

These files are for personal, non-commercial use only. If you want to produce these to sell or for other business use, please contact me to arrange for licensing terms.  Also note that, by referencing these, you are agreeing to release any variations you create under identical terms.

Attribution-Creative Commons NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Evermore Studio Stitching Pony Plans (SVG)

Resources

You could cut this with a scroll saw, jig saw or hack saw pretty easily.  Of course, if you don’t have one and, really want your own laser, feel free to use my Glowforge referral code to purchase your own. Glowforge will give you a discount off their posted price and, I will get a credit kickback to help defray the cost of materials for future projects. Your support is always appreciated.

You are almost certainly better off buying your Baltic birch plywood from a local supplier. You can get little boxes of it online but, it is generally twice the price.

1/4″ Baltic Birch Plywood (Amazon)

1/8″ Baltic Birch Plywood (Amazon)

1/4″ Baltic Birch Plywood (Woodworkers Source)

Here is the cam clamp I used. Anything similar should work. This uses a standard quarter-twenty bolt. So, it should be possible to replace with a longer one, if desired.

Cam Clamps (Amazon)

Wood Glue (Amazon)

I used this leather because it was handy but, any soft vegetable-tanned medium-weight leather should work.

Medium Natural Leather (Glowforge)

Table Vise (Amazon) if you don’t already have one.

Of course, you can also just buy a stitching pony for a similar amount:

Stitching Pony (Amazon)

Note that I am not recommending that particular stitching pony.  I haven’t tried it.  I am just pointing out that you can buy one ready-made.

Amazon referral links for some parts and incidentals defray IT and hosting costs for a local arts organization (Arizona Aikido).

Small Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box

Small Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box

I did another small maple and cherry box inlaid with the same Celtic key pattern as the long box I posted recently. For this one, I designed the box body parametrically, entirely in Fusion 360. I can put in the material thickness or, even, alter the dimensions of the box and, everything will adjust automatically. The lid on this one is just friction-fit (no magnets) and, I did not flock the interior. 12-sided die (D12) for scale.

Small Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box
Small maple hardwood box inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut.
Small Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box
Small maple hardwood box inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut, closed, D12 for scale.
Small Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box (Rendering)
Rendering from the parametric small inlaid Celtic key pattern box design in Fusion 360

Celtic Key Pattern Inlaid Long Box

Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box / Dice Vault

Celtic key pattern long box of hard maple inlaid with walnut and flocked interior. I think my second foray into laser-cut wood inlay went pretty well. This is probably not an optimal dice vault but, it looks good with these turquoise gemstone dice. I’ll likely do a proper dice vault in the future. the build video is more of a “what I did” than a “how to.” The beauty shots were a great opportunity to play with the new motion control robot.

Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box (end view)
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. End view showing Celtic key square.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Black flocked interior.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box / Dice Vault
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Black flocked interior with turquoise polyhedral dice from Norse Foundry.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box / Dice Vault
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Black flocked interior with turquoise polyhedral dice from Norse Foundry.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box / Dice Vault
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Black flocked interior with turquoise polyhedral dice from Norse Foundry.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box / Dice Vault
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Black flocked interior with turquoise polyhedral dice from Norse Foundry.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box / Dice Vault
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Black flocked interior with turquoise polyhedral dice from Norse Foundry.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box (hand-held for scale)
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut.
Long Inlaid Celtic Key Pattern Box (with bottlecap for scale)
Maple hardwood box / dice vault inlaid with a Celtic key pattern in walnut. Bottle cap for scale.