CD/DVD CASES
Sure, CDs are so 20th century, but those of us who
use tons of CD-Rs to back up JPEGs, or have collections of DVD-R videos, need somewhere to store
them. Besides, not everyone has an iPod! So turn
that case for super-old media into a case for semi-old media (Figure I) — retro on so many levels.
You’ll need: 1 album sleeve, six 2-sided CD pockets
with holes on one edge (you can grab a big pack at
an office supply store for a few dollars), and a strip
of elastic or velcro. Pick up some thin frosted vinyl G
material (optional) if your case will endure a lot of use.
1. Cut your LP’s front cover into a rectangle a little
less than 12" long and about 5½" wide (or lay 2 CD
pockets on top to determine how wide and long the
case should be). Cut a rectangle a little smaller from
the back cover — this will be the inside of your case.
2. Use a scissor blade to lightly score where you want
the case to crease — on the front side of the cover
piece, and the backside of the inner piece. You’ll
want 1"– 1½" between the score lines, and less for
the inner piece, so they fit together. Fold the pieces. H
3. Cut 2 sections of vinyl about 1½" longer and
wider than the 2 cover pieces — enough extra to
wrap around all 4 sides and sew securely. Sew the
vinyl around the LP cover pieces, making sure to
stretch it tight (but not too tight!) as you go around.
You’re sewing through a layer of vinyl, the album
cardboard, and a second layer of vinyl.
If you’ll be machine sewing, before you begin with
these materials, test what works best with your
machine by using scraps of album cover and vinyl.
Practice until you feel comfortable — it can be tricky. I
4. Line up the 2 pieces to sew them together, first
placing the elastic between them near the edge of
the backside (Figure G). Sew the elastic into the case
as you attach the pieces, but be very careful as it
stretches across the second side — you don’t want
to sew it down where it shouldn’t be sewn down.
You’ll have to break your thread to move past the
elastic and continue. Go very slowly, as you’re sewing
through 2 layers of cardboard and 4 layers of vinyl.
5. You may prefer to use velcro flaps for the closure
instead of elastic. Sew 2 squares onto the outside
corners of the case, and make 2 flaps with the vinyl
material and the matching velcro squares to fold
over and close the case.
6. Now your case just needs CD pockets. This part
can be tough because the pockets are so slippery
and difficult to work with. Line up the hole-punched
edge strips so that half the pockets are on the left
and half are on the right, then sew the pockets
together (Figure H). Finally, sew the complete set
into the case.
