The Handmade Laptop Bag

  

I made a foolish decision. I purchased a 17” laptop.  This was foolish, because almost no where, on God’s green earth, can one find a laptop bag big enough to fit such a monstrosity of a computer.  At the time, I had no clue I would run into such a debacle.  I, blinded by the large screen and number pad, possessed not a clue into the lack of portability that would ensue when purchasing these features. So I’m sure you can figure out what I did…

I graciously helped myself to my stash of fabric make a perfectly sized laptop case for my over-sized, “portable” computer.

If you can manage to follow my steps, you may be inclined to try to make your own.  I used a 1/2” seam allowance and happily finished with a functional laptop bag.

	I decided to use one of my prized Heather Ross fabrics, Natural Roses from Far Far Away 2, and some leftover blue fabric from the back of a quilt I haven’t quite finished yet…
	I based the construction of the bag on a box with an open top.  I carefully measured around each edge of my laptop, then cut each side, adding to the length and width an 1 inch for seam allowances and 1/2 fudge factor.  (I couldn’t imaging going through all this trouble for the bag to be too small!)
	I made two sets of fabric boxes, one for the inner lining and one for the outer.  I made the inner lining first to test my design.  I sewed together the four sides of the box, then the bottom.  Before sewing on the bottom, I carefully pinned it in place.
	I anxiously “tried on” the laptop bag by slipping my computer into the lining.  It fit!
	Next, to add a little extra padding, I basted batting onto the inside of each outside bag piece.
	Using the top edge of my largest side, I sketched a creative shape for my handles on some trace paper.  With some fancy folding (in half) I was able to make them symmetrical.  (Please be aware that these handles serve a more aesthetic purpose than functional.)
	For fun, I was inspired by the Velveteen Rabbit and appliqué a little bit of whimsy on to my bag. I created the outer shell of my laptop bag by duplicating my inner lining box construction, and sewed together the sides, then pinned and sewed on the bottom.
	I created a flap for the top of my laptop bag, being careful to make sure it fit between my handles.  I made the flap close with a button hole, because I was nervous that if I tried velcro, the pieces wouldn’t line up.  I’m mad at myself for forgetting to switch from my basting thread to my finish thread.  Luckily, I remembered before stitching around the edge.
	After basting on the flap between the back handle, I put the exterior bag into the lining and sewed around the top.  Through a hole in the side of the lining, I flipped the bag right sides out and lining sides in.
	I edge stitched around the top for a finished look, then carefully attached the button into place
	Now, I have a super cool, handmade, and one-of-a-kind laptop bag.  I think it’s really awesome!

A Niece Gift

I don’t have a new baby to show off, but I do have a cute baby gift basket to share!  I made this little gift basket for my new baby niece who’s 8 days old.  I got this cool Fisher Price Ocean Wonders bath caddy, and filled it with lots of things for a baby girl!  A hooded towel, wash clothes, bath soap, lotion, pink onesies, a cute outfit, little socks, a bib, and of course, SewBean’s custom onesies and burp burp cloths! 

Lions and Tigers and Applique! Oh my!

It's Saturday, so I'm devoting my time to conquer something big!  No, the bathrooms can wait till tomorrow...  I've finally started my first real applique project.  You know, the kind where you use freezer paper and actually turn the edges under.

This quilt project with "easy applique" began nice and strong a couple weeks ago.  With determination I cut all the blocks out, made my applique templates, ironed on the freezer paper and cut out all my shapes.  Then, I proceeded to prepare the circles first. 

Surprisingly easy and fun, I finished half of my circles in one night while watching tv!  I used pre-cut cardstock circles, pinned them onto the fabric and cut a generous 1/4" seam.  With a needle and thread, I sewed small stiches around the edges, then gathered the thread taut to my circles.  A little bit of spray starch and a hot iron and these circles are looking great!

Now, on to the rest of the shapes!  I sprayed starch into a small lid, then using a q-tip, I spread the starch along the edges of the fabric peaking out from under my freezer paper template.  With my regular, big iron, I proceeded to fold over the edges of the fabric onto the freezer paper.  Ugh!   The iron was so clumsy, I kept pressing open the edges I had just pressed closed.  Frustrated, I put the project aside for a little bit...

Unfortunately disgusted by the thought of applique, I still needed to get back into this quilt!  Well, who said money can't buy happiness?  I've always had my eye on those cute little irons in the quilt and craft stores, and it occurred to me that this is what my notion collection was missing!  So this morning, I heated my new little Clover mini iron for the first time.  Wow!  The little edges continually folded over.  An immense improvement, I now have a positive outlook on applique, but I think I will still need some practice. 

So while I'm hacking through the rest of my pile of ironing today, please, if you have any applique tips or tricks for me, I can still use them!

 

Can you figure out what I'm making??