TUMBLEWEED HANDYMAN CORNER

    This page will be more of a gallery than an instruction since I have so little to say on the subject.

    All the flute cases presented here are nothing more than PVC tubes of different sizes with fabric glued over them. I've found (of late) that there are stores such as the Habitat for Humanity recycle stores that sell these pipes cheap (I bought several for a dollar each that's sufficient to make two or three such cases). Look for the thin  drain pipes if you can find them. I used standard pipe and they tend to be a bit heavy for my liking, but they are strong.

    There are two ways I've found of making the end pieces. The most obvious and the most expensive way is to use the caps sold for the purpose. One end, the opening, will require this purchase. Be sure to drill a hole in the cap through which to insert a handle or a loop of leather or rope before installing this cap once the other end is sealed. Remember you're creating a vacuum tube, and once you have the tube sealed the vacuum will prevent the cap from coming off. Besides, the tightness of the cap is sufficient to make removal difficult, even without the vacuum. A little silicon or other such lubricant may be needed, but it might also be a bit messy if too much is used.

 
    When wrapping the tube with fabric, remember to allow for the cap since the cap won't fit over the fabric.

    In order to cause the finished product to have an appealing appearance, fold over all selvages, that is the raw edges of the material that will otherwise fray.

    For the end cap on the bottom end of the tube you can either use a cap, or you can cut a circle of wood (or find something of that shape) just a hair smaller than the hole and wrap it with a matching fabric. Remember to compensate, not only for the thickness of the fabric (both on the tucked-in outer pipe and over the end plug), but the folds of fabric as it tries to make that difficult turn over the plug.

    In the last, the smallest, of the cases, I used for a cap (removable) a smaller cap that goes inside rather than over the outside of the case. This I also covered with fabric. It's the case I use when riding my bike. The flute I carry in this case has to have a small fetish (bird) installed because of the restricted space.

 
    For a carrying strap, a strip of matching fabric (preferably doubled to give it stiffness) sewn along the edges with a loop at each end is all you will need. You can adjust the strap to a degree by moving the rope or leather thong along the case itself. It's best however to measure the strap carefully on yourself before finishing because making it longer if too short is counterproductive.

    If the quiver is be much more than a show piece, make sure the edges (especially lengthwise) is either sewn (hand sewn using a whip stitch) or (and) glued using a good glue intended for this purpose. If the case is going to be used where it might get wet or experience moisture, you might consider spraying it with a fabric seal. This I did with the small case, the others were more for the having made them, satisfying the obsessive-compulsive side of my nature, than for any other purpose.   
 

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