Kickstarter

STRAP ON VAN BRUNT HOLSTER
Van Brunt Holster allows you to free up precious pocket space by stowing your telelectromobile tool (iPhone) on your belt. Constructed of the highest quality waxed canvas with a custom printed lining, Van Brunt offers an industrial inspired, minimalist take on the iPhone holster.

Van Brunt Holster now fits iPhone 5 along with iPhone4/4S and iPhone 3 with or without a slim protective case. Features include simple one–snap closure, double–stitched belt loop attachment, and headphone port for on–the–move action. The initial production run will offer Van Brunt Holster in Brush Brown or Black colorways.

IT STARTED AS A GIFT
I came up with the idea for Van Brunt Holster & Container about a year and a half ago. I had just purchased an iPod as a gift for my brother–in–law, who is a hard working electrician and overall man–on–the–move. I wanted to build him a rugged container he could strap on his belt that would withstand the daily abuse he would dish out. So I dug out my sewing machine, cut up some old jeans and started building prototypes out of any scraps of fabric I found around my apartment. I finally settled in on a high quality waxed canvas for the outer shell and a printed lining to finish the aesthetic.

THE RESPONSE
The first few holsters I made were gifts for family and friends, and the response has been incredible–to the point that I can't keep up with the demand. I come from a graphic design background with no formal sewing training, just a few basics from Mom, and the fact that sewing is in my blood passed down from my Grandmother. Each individual holster is a very time–consuming, labor–intensive endeavor for me alone. That is why I am having a run produced locally in Brooklyn USA. Staying local, right here in the USA, made to the highest quality standards is extremely important to me. I want to be able to meet the demands for these holsters, and get them onto your belts. I want to make room in your pockets for the important stuff.

HANDCRAFTED HERITAGE
Located exactly 224 paces from Van Brunt Street, Brooklyn USA, and given the fact that it is one of my favorite streets in the city, the name seemed the perfect fit. Inspired by the hand–painted signs on the warehouses scattered around Red Hook, I decided to go the hand–lettered route for the Van Brunt Logo. I researched the processes of sign makers from the past and after many revisions ended up with the custom hand–lettered Van Brunt wordmark.

Throughout every step of the process building Van Brunt Holster & Container, I have stayed true to a handcrafted, hands–on, DIY approach. From using a vintage machine, to the logo process, to drawing patterns by hand, I have tried to adhere to time–tested techniques and not rely too greatly on new technology. Another fun hands–on aspect of the project was digging out my guitar to write and record the music for the video. Big thanks to Ben at Bangbang for recording, mixing, and laying down the drums. Blood, sweat, stitchin’, and strummin'!

MAN VS. MACHINE
About three holsters in, I realized my beginner sewing machine just wasn't cutting it with the layers of heavy fabric. I researched heavy–duty industrial machines and found a gorgeous 1957 Singer Model 201. It was purchased online and arrived a little banged up, so my mom told me she knew a local guy who could look it over–and this is where it gets cool. My grandmother was a seamstress and worked in a sewing factory years ago, and it just turns out the man who was fixing my machine, was the repairman at the factory she worked. So there was a nice family connection, old stories shared, and he treated the newest member of my family (my 201) with much care. The first holster on the new machine was a dream!

FABRIC CONQUESTS
I located my supplier of waxed canvas early on in the process, but for the rest of the items necessary I dove deep into the bowels of NYC's garment district. I have been in weird basements; lost in mazes of fabric; in deep dark corners hidden far from the rest of the world; and have even been on a private tour of a new restaurant being constructed by a fabric dealers’ brother. The garment district is a world of its own, go explore and get lost there sometime

NOTE: The interior lining of the production run holsters will be a custom hand–drawn screen–printed pattern, similar in color and style to the pictured toile print in the sample holsters, but completely proprietary to Van Brunt Holster & Container.

PRODUCTION TIMELINE

• Jump up–and–down, dance, hoot, holler, and scream real loud to celebrate the successfully funded Kickstarter project!
• Wait for up to 20 days for funds to clear, setup production schedule at manufacturer, get non–holster rewards ready to roll.
• Week 1: Place order for materials/finalize production schedule
• Weeks 2–4: Holster production
• Week 4: Rigorous quality control check
• Week 5: Package holsters for shipment
• SHIP! We expect to start shipping orders LATE NOV/EARLY DEC in plenty of time for the holidays!

Huge thanks to Ben at Bangbang for all of the recording expertise.

Mega thanks to Lauren at lauren colchamiro photography for the gorgeous photos.