My husband has a hand drum that he wanted a drum cover for, so I offered to make him one. It took me more than a year - I kept doing a tiny bit and then putting it off because I was scared I was going to mess it up.

I didn't have a pattern, I made it up on my own. Before this, about all I'd done was quilts (and not many of those!).

I'm just very proud of it now that I finally finished it.

That looks great! I am so glad you shared it and you did a wonderful job too.

That's lovely. Went to my first drum circle tonight. May have to copy your idea!

OK, THAT is cool! I love that fabric! I made dh and DS camp shirts out of that. :)

That looks wonderful!! :thumbsup:

I think that's great! I know it's challenging to create without a pattern.

Awesome job, I'm really impressed! :monkeydan

Nice job mama. :)

That's fantastic!! WTG creating it without a pattern, and the perseverance to finish it! I love the fabric choice, and the way you brought the flame shapes down. I hope you show more now that you've "outed" yourself from lurking :)

Awesome Job!

wonderful sns -- you are officially no longer a lurker now!

wonderful sns -- you are officially no longer a lurker now!


Now I just have to make sure I keep up with everything and share, too. ;)

Thanks guys! My poor dh is hoping I'll shut up about it soon. I keep saying, "You know - I made this really kick ass drum cover...." He just smiles and nods. LOL

That is so cool!!! Do you have any hints and tips??? 2 of my sons have drums, and I bought the fabric, but never have gotten up the nerve to make them the covers. I would LOVE to make them for Christmas presents. Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

LOL @ hints & tips!! ;)

I just measured the height of the drum, then measured the circumference of the top and bottom. It was easy since it is goes straight down.

But anyway - I decided how many panels I wanted (I think I ended up with 6), then divided my numbers (the circumferences) to see how long each end of the panel would be.

That gave me triangles, almost - the long lengths were the same as the height of the drum plus the extra height I needed to make the draw string work. (I guessed on how much I needed.)

Each end was 1/6th of the circumference of it's corresponding circle (top or bottom of the drum).

Then, I used that panel and traced the shape onto my fabric. Then slid it over to match the sides and drew another one - I did all 6 connected. That way when I cut it out, the two raw edges could be sewn together and it would make a pouch (I just sewed all the way around the bottom edge, too, so it was a lot like a pillow case.)

But - before I sewed the edges together, I cut out the batting (two layers for added fluffiness) the same shape, and added the backing fabric. Then I hand-quilted around some of the dragons with black embroidery thread. I also sewed the edges together and sewed across the seam where the black fabric meets the flame fabric.

The orange flames around the bottom are hand sewn. I think maybe a type of embroidery, but I'm not sure. I made that up, too. I just cut out some of the flames from the fabric and traced them onto the black. Then sewed along the lines.

Once it was all 'quilted' I sewed it up pillowcase style. After that I did the drawstring (I'm sure there's a better way to do it - I just folded the edge a couple of times and sewed it.)

Then I added the strap - it's just canvas with some fabric & batting added for padding.

I need to add a black flap inside the top of it to lay across the drum head when it's closed (I had intended for it to be a bit taller than it turned out so that you couldn't see the drum head, but my calculations were off a little bit.)

So, that's the long winded version. ;)

Thanks so much for explaining! I really want to do this :) I always have such a hard time coming up with gifts for my older sons, and I know that both of them would really appreciate this. Thanks again :monkeydan :monkeydan

No problem! I hope it turns out grand! Please share pics. :)

Great Job! I bet your dh is thrilled with it! :)