A New Product Line…

Do you wish you had a soft case for your musical instrument that blends with the rest of your pre-21st century event luggage?  I am now offering custom work for that very purpose! I am introducing a new product line – custom made instrument cases, available exclusively through Leap Handmade!

This is an example of a case for a rebec. It was a collaborative effort with the customer supplying the textiles and I developing the design.  The case is padded and strategically quilted along the vining to secure the lining. I included a pocket inside the flap for a block of rosin, and an exterior pocket for the bow. It was a pleasure having this instrument in my shop so I could custom fit the case. 

This is a case for my hurdy gurdy, again my original design and crafted from a favorite wool coat. The end flaps include pockets for rosin, cotton and tuning tools, and closes with small cloak clasps.

My very first instrument case was for a drum that had been left at my house and needed to travel with me on the train to reunite with its owner. Flannel from my stash, and a shoulder strap, metal hook and eye closures, and a pocket on the front for sheet music, all came together quite nicely.

The next case was a lot of fun. Again a collaborative collection of textiles from two stashes, my contributions included a band of suzuri that I brought back from Istanbul, and a heavily embroidered upholstery sample that I cut into appliques which provided both decoration and additional padding to the front (head side) of the drum. It was also the first time I successfully seated a zipper…

The next case presented a challenge – the drum was about 26″ across and just over 100 years old. I found a beautiful piece of blue suede at a local thrift store that was super cheap because it had a 4″ diagonal slit every 13″ for its entire length. The crescent moons are patches for those slits, which made its owner – the director of the Orchestra of the Moon – very happy. The interior is hand quilted. The closures are buttons and elastics, which gave a military feel to this Revolutionary style drum.

I also offer flat cases for other instruments. Shown here is one I made for a krumhorn, which ended up being large enough to carry four other wind and reed instruments as well as a sheaf of music. I made the closure on this case from an old hinge, a brass ring, and a piece of lucet cord. I intentionally cut the flap on the diagonal to cater to the owner’s preference for asymmetrical design.

Every case is unique to the instrument it was made for, finished by hand from reclaimed textiles and found objects. If you are looking for soft cases that blend in with the rest of your medieval or renaissance luggage, I will be happy to assist! Since this is a new product for me, prices will be negotiable through the remainder of 2026. Contact me for details or see my shop at Leap Handmade!