My brother asked me just after Christmas if I could possibly make him a padded microphone case. On a few weekends a month he is the sound man for a few different Bluegrass and Celtic type bands/groups and needed the case for a new microphone he had bought. He gave me a quick sketch of what he had in mind and I told him I could probably come up with something.
I didn’t take pictures of every step but you can see a few along the way…
I searched for that gray foam like what’s used in guitar and gun cases, but ended up using a piece of 1/2″ foam…and a piece of upholstery fabric that had a decent backing to it. The case needed to be pretty sturdy so the mic wouldn’t get damaged. The inside liner was a very soft feeling fabric like minky dot…used for baby blankets.
The thing that took the longest was figuring out how I was going to make it. I debated and figured and refigured and finally just cut out some pieces and got started. I knew how I wanted it to look in the end but getting there was quite the challenge.
The black fabric was stitched to the foam to keep it from shifting or pulling out when the microphone was taken in and out.
…getting there…
…working on the flap is all that’s left…
One of the hardest things to do was turn it…it was murder on the fingers and my hands as I tugged and pulled to get it turned right side out…finally I got it and only had a bit more to go… although it took a while…
If you sew Velcro on something like a flap, you can get a better grip if you sew the strips in opposite directions.
So this is the finished case…
I suppose I can send this post to my brother and see if he likes it… :o)
Thanks for tagging along as I did some sewing that wasn’t dolly related.
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne! What a nice sister you are, to make a microphone case for your brother. It turned out really nice, too.
Two things spring to mind, a suggestion and an “aha!” moment.
Suggestion: When turning something like this, I like using what used to be called a “Bow Whip Tool” (now called a Turn-it-all), which comes in three different sizes. More info here: https://tinyurl.com/y9o4scpr The first video is pretty good. For this application, though, I would use something bigger–a piece of narrow plastic pipe for the tube, and a thicker dowel for the pushing tool. The theory is the same. Amazing how many times I’ve used my old Bow Whip in applications other than doll making!
Aha! moment: I did not know you got a better grip by sewing the Velcro on in different directions like that! Something to keep in mind for future use–thanks!!
Hi Charlotte,
Thanks for the link to the Turn it All. I watched 3 different videos while I was there. I have used the needle and thread one many times, depending on the fabric. I don’t have a turn tube but I do the same thing using a crochet hook…I just push the end in with the crochet and keep pushing till it’s all turned.
Thanks for the link…
Blessings, Jeanne
Very nice work, Jeanne! I think a lot of us could use a sister like you! That brother of yours certainly got into the right family for just about anything he needs!
I too, didn’t know about sewing Velcro the way you did for a better grip. Of course, that probably wouldn’t do on doll clothes, but sewing isn’t just making doll clothes, as we can see today! I remember vaguely a huge canvas cover you made for something for your church, and pictures of you making it outside? You can do it all!
Hi Linda,
We are the ones who are blessed to him for our brother. He really is wonderful!!
I repaired a huge 10 or 12 foot blow up slide for the kids in Vacation Bible School. That certainly was my biggest alterations job to date!
I hope your snow has meltd and you aren’t homebound anymore!
Thanks Linda
Blessings, Jeanne
What an amazing tool. I’d never heard of it and it’s so simple! The largest one would do for getting any size item started. Kudos to Charlotte for sharing this wonderful tip.
Hi Susette,
I used my arm as the “pusher” for the microphone case. I sent my brother the link to my post and he liked it…
It’s in the mail to him…
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Thanks, Suzette! It’s one of my favorites; I’ve had it for at least 20 years!
Great job! I’m sure your brother will be delighted!
Good choice of color/fabric too;)
You are so clever.. and such a sweetheart!❤️
Hi Shara,
Thanks for your compliments on the microphone case. I wonder what I’ll be making next? A few years ago he asked me to make buttonholes in an outdoor play set the boys had. Bob said it was a poor design and the wind kept blowing the fabric top off. I made buttonholes along the edge and he threaded bungee cords through them to help hold it on. He and the boys were thrilled.
Thanks Shara,
Blessings, Jeanne
Well, Jeanne, again my comment is a no show! I wrote right after Charlotte, but it isn’t there!
What a nice microphone cover you made! Your brother has been blesses with being born into a family that can do most anything!
I too, have never heard of sewing Velcro two different directions for a better grip, but I don’t think that would work for doll clothes. Of course sewing is not just doll clothes, and I remember you making some large canvas cover for your church out in the yard. You seem to have sewing skills that cover a large variety of jobs!
I’m sure your brother will be thrilled with the case, and you should be too! What a sweetheart of a sister you are!
I don’t know what happened, but my first comment just popped up after I wrote the second one! Golly gee!
HI Linda,
I see you needed “double time” today for your comments! :o) No problem… Thanks again for your kind compliments!
Blessings, Jeanne
Adorable! A sleeping bag for a microphone. What a nice sis! I was thinking that adding a detachable cord at the top would make it easy to carry around the neck while setting up things.
And I too had to take a look at Charlotte’s bow/whip tool. Guess I’m behind the times as I have always used a safety pin, closed and pushed it through the same way. However, I’ll now be on the look out for a suitable piece of plastic and a dowel. Looks like a much easier way to turn fabric. 🙂 I forgot to add, my favorite turning tool is my hemostat. Love that thing.
Still haven’t painted the inside of that closet. Amazing what other things can come up that have stopped me from getting down to business. Like moving and reinstalling three smoke detectors from outside the bedrooms to inside to be code ready. Heater inspector is to show up tomorrow. 🙂
HI Joy,
You always think of the funniest things… a sleeping bag for a microphone… :o)
I texted Bob and asked if he wanted a handle or a strap and he said it was great just the way it was!
I do the same thing as the tube, minus the tube and just push it inside out with a crochet hook… it does the job for me… safety pins too… the backward needle way too… and I’m with you on the hemostats. I couldn’t live without mine either!…especially turning those tiny Twinkles bodices!
I know how you feel with the interruptions… my life has way too many!
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
That’s a very handsome microphone cover. My favorite picture, other than of the finished product, is of the black fabric with the hand print.
Many thanks to Charlotte for the bow whip tool. It looks much easier to use than the classic safety pin trick.
I’m also enjoying hearing about the progress on Joy’s house.
I hope everyone is safe and warm today. Stay well and avoid the flu.
Hi Marilyn,
That black fabric was incredible to touch.. I want a pair of pants made out of it… some to wear around the house when I’m sewing… of course the black might not be the best color with all the threads that jump on me when I’m sewing! :o)
We were safe and warm in our house today… I got some things done that I had hanging over my head for a while. When I finish with these comments…I’m heading to my sewing room to see what I can find to do… or make! :o)
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow! Thanks Sis! Can’t wait to try it out. Here’s a link to the music programs I’m recording for WTVP in Peoria IL. https://www.wtvp.org/state-water/
HI Bob,
Thanks for the link to the artists/bands… I listened to a few of them… gets your toes to tapping! :o)
I checked on my Dashboard and it looks like 7 people clicked on your link!
Love you, me
Amazing, Jeanne! What an accomplishment. I’m sure your brother will be so pleased. You have such diverse talents in your sewing world- like the large play thing you repaired for your church. ( I can’t remember what it was exactly. ). I’ll never forget the picture of your sewing machine sitting out in the yard!
Hope the snow storms have simmered down. Everyone stay safe and warm.
Hi Paula,
Well, I sent him my blog post and he said it looked great. I mailed it off and it should get there tomorrow…
That big thing I repaired was a water slide for the kids at Vacation Bible School a few years ago. It was definitely my biggest alterations job…
Our snow is all gone now, but we’re supposed to get colder temps now… I was secretly hoping for Spring… guess not!
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne