Doesn't your laptop deserve a new bag?
Computers go everywhere. Sometimes one wants to announce to the world who they are through their computer bag designs. Sewing a computer bag requires some sewing skill, but designing a truly original bag takes a lot more. Lovers of dogs, cats or flowers will find a wide choice of fabrics and notions to represent their interests. Sports fans can turn their high school or favorite team's sweatshirt into a one of a kind computer bag. Feeling like a cowboy? Get out those old jeans and make a new home for a lap tap computer.
Instructions
Sew a Two-Pattern Computer Bag
1. Measure the width and length of the laptop computer. Add 4 inches for seam allowance. Record measurements.
2. Fold first fabric in half, right side to right side. The "right side" usually is the side of the fabric where the pattern and the color are the strongest. Mark fabric according to measurements taken. Cut fabric with scissors. Repeat process with second fabric.
3. Pin the two pieces of fabric together with straight pins, right side to right side, and sew all the sides closed, except one of the long ends, using a needle and thread or sewing machine. This will be the opening to the computer bag.
4. Turn the computer bag right side out. Turn the open long end inside 1/4 inch and press with an iron. Turn the edge another 1/4 inch and pin with straight pins to form a hem. Sew with small, straight stitches by hand with a needle and coordinating thread or sew on a sewing machine.
5. Lightly press the homemade laptop bag with an iron.
6. Pin the twill binding to the bottom of the computer bag, centered on the seam using straight pins. Continue to pin the binding along the seam of the bag until the top is reached. Measure the length of the twill binding for the shoulder strap then continue to pin the twill binding to the other side until the bottom of the bag is reached. Continue pinning the twill binding until it overlaps where it began. Cut off the excess twill binding.
7. Sew along the right edge of the twill binding starting at the top edge of the computer bag. Remove straight pins. Sew along the left edge of the twill binding starting at the top edge of the computer bag.
8. Press the computer bag paying special attention to the twill binding.
9. Add hook-and-loop circles to the open end of the laptop bag.
Show Some School Spirit
10. Substitute fabric by the yard with a high school or college sweatshirt and a coordinating fabric for the lining.
11. Follow the same sewing instructions for the fabric bag.
12. Choose a coordinating color twill binding for the strap and add football or other shaped buttons for trim.
Denim Can Do It
13. Cut off the legs from a pair of jeans. Turn the jeans inside out and sew the legs closed.
14. Measure the width and length of the jeans "bag." Add 2 inches for seam allowance. Record measurements.
15. Choose a piece of flannel fabric, either plaid or 1950s cowboy print. Fold fabric in half, right side to right side. Mark fabric according to measurements taken. Cut fabric with scissors. Pin the flannel together with straight pins right side to right side.
16. Sew all sides together with a needle and thread or a sewing machine, except one long side.Turn the jean bag right side out. Keep the flannel bag wrong-side out. Insert flannel bag into jean bag. Turn 1 inch of the flannel under and facing the walls of the jean bag. Sew the flannel bag into the jean bag with a needle and thread and small stitches.
17.Add coordinating twill binding as on the other bags. Use an old cowboy belt or scarf to close the jean computer bag.
Tags: right side, twill binding, right side right, side right, side right side, straight pins
