How to Make a Musical Instrument Case
Though they come in all shapes and sizes, most musical instruments have three things in common: they are expensive, they are breakable and they are vulnerable to water damage. Good instrument cases are frequently expensive; the inexpensive ones tend to fall apart under continuous use. One solution is to make your own musical instrument case. Making your own means you can tailor the case to your particular needs and the shape of your special instrument.
Things You'll Need
- Large pieces of paper (newspaper will do)
- Ripstop waterproof nylon (amount will depend on the instrument)
- Stansport sleeping pads (or similar padding)
- Heavy cardboard or thin wood (optional)
- Sewing machine
- Silicon seam sealer
Instructions
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Spread paper on a level work surface and place your instrument on top of it. If it is a single-piece instrument with a basic shape, such as a guitar, harp or banjo, just draw around the instrument, then measure the thickness of the instrument and the distance around it on the thin edge. If you have an odd-shaped instrument or one with a large bell, such as a tuba or bass horn, you may have a little more trouble creating a good pattern. For large brass instruments, trace around the bell, then lay it down and trace around the rest of the parts. For flutes, and other instruments that come apart for carrying, trace around the pieces.
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Trace a line 4 inches out from the original tracing, all the way around it. For stringed instruments such as guitar, measure a strip 2 inches wider than the instrument's thickness, and 2 inches longer than the perimeter of the pattern you traced around it. Cut out all the pieces.
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Tape the patterns to the ripstop nylon. Cut at least two pieces of everything. For stringed instruments, cut two for the bottom and two for the top. Save the scrap to make tie closures.
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Place the patterns or pieces on the sleeping mats. Cut matching pieces of camp mat. These mats are sturdy, and will give better protection to the instrument than plain foam. If the instrument is a flute, you may want to create a simple box shape with the nylon, and use layers of mat to form shaped spaces for the pieces.
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Sew one layer of the nylon together using a sewing machine. Be sure to create an opening of sufficient size and position to easily put the instrument inside the case. Place the camp mat pieces inside the shell, fitting them into matching places. If extra stiffness is needed, cut a shape of appropriate size and shape to fit between the mat and the outside shell. Sew the second set of patterns together to make a lining. Fit the lining inside the first shell, covering the camp mat padding.
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Hand stitch between the sections of camp mat to hold the padding and any stiffening material in place. Use the save scrap to create ties, and sew them at the opening so that it can be tied shut. You may want to create a flap or overlap for good closure.
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References
- Photo Credit Pencil case image by Ellanorah from Fotolia.com
