Make a case for your laptop at home on the cheap.
Inner core foam, or foam core, is a flat polystyrene foam sheet sandwiched between two thick pieces of paper. Typically, it is used to mount artwork and as a base medium for promotional signs. However, the rigidity and shock-absorption capabilities of the material make it ideal for fabricating items such as a laptop bag. The foam core will protect the computer from bumps and scratches and can even be personalized with paint or decoupage.
Instructions
1. Measure two rectangles on the foam core board a half inch larger than the laptop in width and height, and mark with a pencil.
2. Measure two rectangles a half inch thicker than the laptop and a half inch longer than the short side of the laptop. Mark with a pencil.
3. Measure two rectangles a half inch thicker than the laptop and a half inch longer than the long side of the laptop. Mark with a pencil.
4. Using the measuring stick as a guide, score the board on each pencil mark.
5. Bend the board at the scores, and cut the board until all rectangles are cut out.
6. Drill holes every half-inch around the edges of each rectangle, one-eighth inch into the board. These will be your sewing holes.
7. Thread the nylon cord through the darning needle. Sew one large rectangle to one small, long rectangle so that the edges line up.
8. Sew the other large rectangle onto the other side of the small, long rectangle so that the edges line up.
9. Sew one small, short rectangle to each short side of one of the large rectangles, so that the edges line up.
10. Fold the other large rectangle over to meet the small, short rectangles. The small, long rectangle should also meet and align with the small, short rectangle.
11. Sew each aligned edge together. You should now have a box that fits your laptop.
12. Sew the remaining small, long rectangle to one top edge of the box, with a long edge aligned with the box's long edge. Sew it loosely so that it can move up and down.
13. Cut a rectangular flap the width of the large side of the box. The length of the flap is variable and can be suited to your aesthetic desires. Drill holes along one edge that equals the width of the box, every half-inch.
14. Sew the flap to the remaining long edge of the loose rectangular piece at the top of the box.
15. Cut the fabric fastener to the width of the flap. Stick the male side to the end of the flap and the female side to the box surface, where the flap rests upon closing.
Tags: half inch, long rectangle, small long, small long rectangle, edges line, foam core
