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.
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| 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! |
