So far I've only acquired one 1950s case. It's branded New Home and looks to be covered with a combination of an embossed paper and (possibly painted) fabric for a two tone cream and green effect. I think it may have actually been made from Masonite, not actual wood. I'm almost sad that it's in decent condition. A torn up one would reveal more of the construction details I was hoping to find. The inside of the top is covered with more paper.

An attractive cloth or paper covered case is certainly doable but getting that truly vintage look is a challenge.
Jim mentioned Tolex as a suitable covering. It's usually used for guitar cases and has been around forever. Art supply stores and scrapbooking stores may have suitable papers. Another option may be bookcloth.

I'm working on a case right now for my 1903 Singer model 27. This one is a light colored mystery wood that my brother and dad found years ago on the beach with mahogany doorskin panels on the sides. I think it'll look good but it won't look vintage. The base is mostly done and I'm starting on the top. I'll post pictures when it's done. Future plans, when I get a design finalized will be a tutorial on building an entire case.
Rodney

I would like to try to make one with wood and leather.

I like the square-shaped portable tops better than the curved bentwood type. When I stacking portables due to lack of space, it’s tough to go over 3-4 domed cases high without having an avalanche.....

CD in Oklahoma



(just kidding)

I much prefer those molded cases to the cheap hard plastic ones they make today that won't hold a heavy vintage machine. The molded cases are the ones I'll go after at thrift stores and give the machine back to them. The cases hold the weight of the vintage machines and are so easy to clean up. I clean them out in the yard with car wash, a scrub brush and the hose. Or in the bath tub.
I agree though that the nice black machines just don't look right in these cases.

Cari

Now that would look cool. I have a couple older cases that need repaired. They're just covered plywood. I've seen some nice ones that have been re done but I don't really care what they look like on the outside so haven't done anything with mine. I think I'd prefer just stripping them and putting a finish on the wood even if it is just plywood.

Cari

never thought about the different types of paper you could get. yes that would beat fabric's. you me doing visuals on all the old school wall papers that where around. the very heavy textured one with floral and other patterns

The guitar stuff would be the vintage look. The elec white FR's I have had there cases where like a guitar case, but that was a fabric. I'm thinking of torn guitar cases way back those were also a fabric or a fabric type of paper ?

went to a TOGA event this weekend and came home with one less machine and acquired these two AWESOME collections of stuff..

This first box is what looks like kindling...
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491699&stc=1

It is actually the long lost original bonnet/coffin lid for this Wheeler & Wilson #10
I see repair work in my near future....
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491700&stc=1

The second "pile o junk" is this.... SO COMPLETELY COOL pile of parts for the machine of my dreams! Now I just need to find the rest of the machine.. (Anyone care to guess what machine it is for?)
http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=491701&stc=1

Well SteveH, I can find pictures of the machine both in yahoo and pinterest but no name!
It is very interesting! The pic showed it up on wooden blocks, did it have a case or was it in a base?

The machine that those parts went to is a Singer Model 46K1

http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...s0-99/46k1.jpg

http://needlebar.org/cm/displayimage..._display_media

here is the more recent version the Singer 91K5
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...s0-99/91k5.jpg

Cool! Singer made machines for everything. What was this one used for?
Rodney