How to Design a Flute Case

A good case is a necessity for any portable musical instrument, including the classical flute. If you need a new case for your flute, designing your own allows you to customize the case while saving money and working with available materials. While your design may be individual to you, consider the basic protection and convenience needed in a flute case, as well as the traditional designs of standard cases.

Instructions

1. Look at the pieces of your disassembled flute and determine how to store them. A classical flute breaks down into three sections, with the shorter two sections being equal in length to the larger section when laid end to end. Determine how these three pieces will lie in their case compartments in order to use the space well. Typical flute case designs consist of two rows of pieces, with the long section in one row and the two short pieces in the other.

2. Design molded compartments for the flute. Choose a material that you can carve or mold around the flute in order to make fitted compartments that will offer the instrument the best possible protection. The material should be firm and flexible, such as Styrofoam bricks (which you can carve), Latex foam (which you can cast) or Craft "Model Magic" clay (which air-dries into a fluffy foam). Design both a top and bottom for the compartments to fold together and create a "clamshell" method of opening and closing the case.

3. Decide on a material to use in covering the molded portions. Velour or velvet fabric are common choices, and both are not only attractive, but will add an extra layer of protection. You also could choose another type of fabric that is thick and soft, such as felt, dense cotton or fleece.

4. Choose a material for the hard outer shell of the case. Instrument cases are typically covered in a rigid material such as wood, metal, or plastic. With a homemade case, you can carve your own wood, attach pieces of sheet metal using liquid weld, or recycle flexible plastic from items such as storage bins or large beverage bottles.

5. Choose a mechanism to hold the case closed. Any closure will do, as long as its secure and easy to operate. You might favor a zipper, a sturdy leather strap with buttons, or strong metal buckles that fasten directly into the hardware.

6. Select a handle for the case. The handle can be strong and flexible, made from tough fabric or leather, or made from a rigid material such as wood. The handle will not only make the case more convenient to carry, it also will make it harder to drop and, thus, will better protect your flute.

References

• Flute Cases