Letter-Writing Folio

As I write a lot of letters, I was running into the problem that I couldn't find any kind of folder or folio to hold all of my letter stuff in one place. So, being the true bibliophile, I decided to make what I needed.

Basically, the folio had to hold envelopes, a writing pad and something to write with. You would have thought that it would have been easy to find. Any kind of office supply place should have had something that could of worked but nope.

With some scrap pieces of cardboard, file folder and gray board, I grabbed the handyman's secret weapon (duct tape) and started pulling the elements together.

I added a slot to the back of the folio so that whatever writing pad I was using could be slid into it. I wanted it to be held closed so the letters would fall out or get loose in my bag so I added a closure flap to the right with some velcro squares.

The pencil loops was just so that I had some place to keep a utensil.

Duct tape makes a perfect joint; it's flexible and fairly strong.

If I were doing this folio for real, I'd probably use leather; preferably pig skin.

This design is a working prototype so it's not about polish or presentation. It just has to work until I can figure out where corrections need to be made. Give it while and I'll probably make a version for real. Just in time so that I can find a folio that I was originally looking for.

Once the folio is closed, the velcro strips line up to keep it held closed. I may cover the thing in paper or something even though it only is a working prototype.

I'll post some updates if I make revisions.

-Tom