Laptop cozy
Issue #25
Pamper your trusty sidekick with this handmade carrying case, and maybe it’ll stop eating your term papers
By Susan Beal
Published: September 1st, 2005 | 1:38pm
Just in time to go back to school, stitch up an easy envelope-style padded case to keep your laptop safe and sound. You’ll measure the fabric depending on your laptop’s dimensions. For a 12-inch iBook, I used three pieces of 16-inch-by-26-inch fabric for the outer part and linings.
SUPPLIES
- 1 piece of heavy fabric for the outside (I used vintage quilted fabric)
- 2 pieces of padded inner lining fabric (I used fleece)
- 1 pocket about the size of your power cord (I used an old jeans pocket, but you can also make a patch pocket out of your outer fabric)
- sewing machine with a heavy-duty needle
- straight pins
- Velcro or snaps
INSTRUCTIONS
- Fold your laptop within all three layers of fabric like an envelope, so the computer is well padded. Mark the approximate dimensions of the laptop on the sides and note where you fold the envelope “flap” to close it.
- Pin the pocket in place, centered about one-third of the way down on your long rectangle of lining fabric. Sew it in place with a straight machine stitch. This will be on the back of the cozy.
- Pin the three layers of fabric together with the right sides (the sides you want to see) facing in, with the outer fabric on top. Straight-stitch all around the perimeter of the fabric to join them, leaving a two- to three-inch opening (parallel with one side of the pocket) to turn it right side out.
- Trim the edges of the fabric and turn it right side out, so the stitching and raw edges are hidden inside. Hand stitch the opening closed.
- 5. Pin all along the shorter ends of the long rectangle and topstitch along both edges. If you are using a puffy lining, such as fleece, you can create a piping effect to show the inside contrast color.
- Now fold up the long sides to create the “envelope” and pin or hold them together so your laptop fits closely inside. Stitch up each side, going slowly due to the thickness of the layers. Put your laptop inside again, and if it’s loose, just sew another seam on each side to hold it more closely.
- Hand stitch Velcro or attach snaps to the flap and body of the cozy to create a secure closure.
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Check out more of Susan Beal’s how-tos and other cool stuff at susanstars.com and pdxsupercrafty.com.
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