Homemade DIY Guitar Protector

Guitar cases come in many styles and designs.

A guitar case is an essential tool for any hardcore guitar player. The purpose of the guitar case is to provide protection for your instrument from the elements, from dings, scratches, and accidental drops. Guitar cases come in many different styles and designs. Some are designed more like soft, insulated bags that zip up around your guitar, while others are hard cases that encase the guitar in foam on the inside and a hard shell on the outside. You can make a guitar protector case at home with a few tools and supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Chalk
• Nylon fabric
• Fabric scissors
• Pressed foam
• Nylon handle
• Heavy-duty thread
• Sewing machine
• Zipper

Instructions

1. Use a tape measure to measure the length of your guitar. You will need these measurements so that you will know how much fabric and material to purchase for your protector. Make sure to size materials at least 6 inches more than your measurements so that you buy enough material.

2. Spread the nylon fabric on a flat surface such as a table. Place your guitar down on top of the fabric. Use a piece of chalk to trace the outline of the guitar, making sure to add 3 to 4 inches to the outline.

3. Place a piece of nylon fabric beneath the piece you traced your guitar on. Use fabric scissors to cut along the outline. Repeat steps 1-3 until you have four guitar-shaped pieces of nylon fabric.

4. Lay out a piece of pressed foam and place your guitar down on top of the foam. Use the fabric scissors to cut the foam around the guitar. Try to add at least 3 inches to the shape and size of the foam as you cut. Repeat this step on a second sheet of foam.

5. Take one of the nylon pieces you cut and put one of the foam cutouts on top of it. Put a second nylon piece down on top of the foam. Use a sewing machine to sew up the edges of the nylon pieces, sealing the foam in between the pieces. Repeat this step for the other nylon and foam pieces.

6. Place both halves of the guitar protector you have just made and put them on top of one another. Sew the halves together beginning at the bottom where the guitar body goes, all the way to the top. Only sew up one side so that the other side is open for the guitar.

7. Use the sewing machine to sew a zipper up the other side of the guitar protector. Use the sewing machine to attach the nylon handle to the protector so that you can carry it around. Place your guitar into the open side of the case and zip up the protector.

References

• "Make Your Own Electric Guitar"; Melvyn Hiscock; 2003
• "How to Use a Sewing Machine"; Marie Clayton; 2010