Guitar cases can be very expensive and it is important to protect your guitar from damage.You can save money and get a custom fit by making your own soft guitar case out of fabric.This could be made to fit any style of guitar.
Step 1: Measure your guitar.
Measure the length and width of your guitar using a tape measure.You can use these dimensions to buy fabric.Choose a pattern or color for the exterior fabric.The interior fabric is optional for lining the case and could be in a contrasting shade to the exterior fabric.Duck cloth is a plain cotton fabric used for padding.
Step 2: Place your guitar on a piece of paper.
Take a piece of paper and trace the edge of the guitar with a pencil.To make sure the case isn't too tight on your guitar, make a second darker line that is 34 inch larger on all sides.The shape should be cut along the darker line.Measure around the outside edge of the pattern.If you choose to use it, half of this number is a good length for a zip up and the other half is double that.
Step 3: To make front and back panels, cut fabric to size.
You can use the pattern you created on paper to cut out 2 pieces of your fabric, a piece of duck cloth, and some fleece/batting.When sewing, cut the 2 pieces of fleece/batting to be 12 inch smaller.
Step 4: Put the pieces together.
Place one piece of your fleece/batting on top of the other, and then place another piece ontop of that.The second set of pieces should be done the same way.The front and back panels of your case will be in one set.Straight lines across the length of the fabric are used to quilt the pieces together.This can be done on both panels.
Step 5: You can attach piping.
If you want to add piping to the edging of your case for a finished look, you can do it by pinning it around the edge of the front and back panels and sewing it on with a straight stitch on your machine.
Step 6: Measure the guitar for the panel.
Measure the thickness or depth of your guitar from front to back to find the width of the panel.If you want your case to be roomier, add another 12 inch to your measurement.If you divide this measurement in half, you will need two pieces to put the zip up.The length of the piece you bought is half the perimeter of your guitar.The guitar depth is 1 14 inch and the length is 2 inches.
Step 7: Cut the fabric for the panels.
Cut two pieces of exterior fabric, two of duck cloth, and a piece of fleece/batting using the measurement for your panels.To reduce bulk, cut the fleece/batting 12 inch smaller all the way around.Place the exterior fabric on top of the fleece/batting and use one or two lines to quilt the pieces together as you did with the front and back panels.
Step 8: The pieces of the panel need to be sewed together.
The side with the exterior fabric showing is the right side of the quilted zipper panel pieces.Pin it in place, then sew it together using a sewing machine.Attach the other side of the zipper to the second piece.It's a good idea to press your panel open and topstitch on either side of the zipper, about 18 inch away from it, to hold it open on the back side.
Step 9: Measure the side panel.
Measure around the edge of the front or back panel that you have already quilted.The length of the side panel in your case is different from the measurement because it doesn't have a zip.For the seam allowance, add 12 inch.The width is the same as the completed panel.The width of side panel is the same as the length of front panel.
Step 10: You should cut the fabric for the side panel.
Cut a piece of exterior fabric, duck cloth, and fleece/batting using the measurement for your side panel.To reduce bulk, cut the fleece/batting 12 inch smaller all the way around.Place the exterior fabric on top of the duck cloth and use one or two lines to quilt the pieces together as you did with the zipper panel.
Step 11: Attach your sides panels together.
Line up one end of your panel with the other side facing each other.Pin and sew these ends together with a straight stitch on your sewing machine.You should repeat with the opposite ends of the panels.This will make a large loop panel.
Step 12: Attach the back panel to the loop panel.
Take the loop panel you created from connecting the side panels and sew an edge to one of the two panels you made for the front and back.The right sides of the panels should be facing in.Do you want the zipper to be in the middle of the stage?If you want the case to open in a certain way, you need to sew the section of the loop panel to the back panel.If you have trouble getting through the layers of fabric and duck cloth, use a heavy needle in your sewing machine.If you decided to use piping, make sure it is sandwiched between the two panels and that your stitch comes as close to the piping as possible.The sewing machine has a foot on it.
Step 13: Attach the panel.
The front panel should be pinned to the other edge of the loop panel.If you have a way to turn it right side out when all the sewing is done, you should make sure you unzip the zip first.
Step 14: The fabric needs to be cut.
You can use scraps or extra fabric to cut a rectangle.To sew it to the case, add and inch to either side of the length.To hide the raw edges, add about 14 inch on every side.To make it look finished, sew a straight stitch from each side.If you want to make the handle stronger, double or triple the fabric.A section of material can be rolled up to make a handle.
Step 15: Attach the handle to the case
Put your guitar inside the case and put the handle in the side panel.Pick it up from the handle and look at the weight of the guitar.Attach a 1 inch square on each end of the handle to the case by moving it to a place where the weight will be balanced equally.
Step 16: Cut the interior fabric.
To cut your interior fabric into 2 pieces, use the same measurements for each of the panels you made for the case.
Step 17: Attach the pieces.
The same loop can be created without the side panels.Place the two pieces next to each other and then fold back 14 inch where the zipper would be.You should sew the ends of the zipper pieces to the side pieces, but keep the small folds for a zipper in place.You sewed this loop to the front and back pieces of the main case.
Step 18: Attach the lining into the case.
Use fabric glue or hand sew the lining to the inside of the case to match the seam allowance in the main case.As you go, fold under the raw edges.