Musical Instrument Cases
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Since 1990, when Jerry at Musicmakers asked me to create my first harp case, I have been making high quality yet affordable instrument cases. You can spend more on your case or you can spend less, but I believe that my cases are still the best value. My collection of instrument patterns now goes beyond Musicmakers to include Stoney End Harps, Timothy Harps, Westover Harps and Heartland Harps, as well as some smaller independent instrument makers as well. Feel free to e-mail me with your instruments make and model and I will let you know if I have a pattern for your instrument. If you have an instrument form Musicmakers, this link will take you to their web site and you can order directly from them.

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Pictured to the left is my case design for Musicmakers’ Shepherd lap harp. It includes an outer shell of 630 denier PVC polyester laminate and a 210 denier nylon liner. Sandwiched between the two is a 1/2 “ urethane foam padding.

To the right is pictured my case design for Heartland Harp’s Dreamweaver floor harp. It includes the “A” design handle system, removable shoulder strap and expandable pocket.

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My custom instrument cases are all individually crafted so that their features reflect your needs.

Design Options

Exterior shell:   PVC Laminate or 1000 Denier Nylon

Foam Padding:   Light or Heavy Urethane Foam

Pocket:               Flat or expandable

Colors:           Forest Green, Navy Blue, Gray, or Maroon

Removable Shoulder Strap

Wheel Pocket:  Pictured at the left is Jerry Brown from

 Musicmakers demonstrating this option with his Regency Harp.

Please contact Musicmakers for the wheels

Prices for custom instrument cases start at $120 for lap harps and $275 for floor harp.

If I don’t have a pattern for your instrument here is is how you can make a tracing that will enable me to make your case.

How to make a tracing of your instrument

Think of the case as being made from two basic parts. First is the side panel, which is pictured below. To measure this part, simply place the instrument on its side on a large piece of paper and trace its outline. Include all parts which jut out from the smooth edges.

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The second part I call the boxing, which is pictured below. This part is a little more challenging to measure. With the instrument still side down on the paper simply work your way around the perimeter of the side panel measuring, the height of the instrument at 4 to 6 inch intervals. The challenge is to first, mark the spot on the paper from which you make the measurement, and then make sure your ruler is perpendicular to the paper.

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You now should have an outline to scale of the side panel and measurements of the boxing at 4 to 6 inch intervals. For most instruments this is enough information from which I can make a soft-sided case. This will also give me accurate measurements for pricing.

Forward this tracing to me at: BT Sewing, 1204 Oak Street, Hastings, MN 55033

If your have any questions e-mail or call me at: 651.438.3306