Supplies Checklist:

• Interfacing (to make a simple pattern with)
• Sturdy Outside Material (probably about 1-2 yards will be good)
• Soft Lining Material (same amount as the outside)
• Batting (same amount as the two materials)
• Heavyweight Roping Material (for Handle)
• Thread, Scissors, Sewing Machine – the usual

Step-By-Step Tutorial:

• Gather the materials above.
• On the interfacing make an outline of your laptop, leaving a little space around the edges.
• Then add about ½” or so for the seam allowance around the tracing of the laptop. Also add directions on the pattern for yourself for later. The only thing that’s wrong on this pattern is that I cut 4 of the batting instead of 2.
• For the edges of the laptop bag I measured the width of the widest point and made a strip that long. Then I measured how long it is around 3 edges and made the pattern half of that. Then I instructed on the pattern to cut on a fold (so that when you open up the fold it is the length of the 3 edges). Be sure to add for seam allowances too.
• Layout both of the patterns on the material where you want them. Keep in mind the direction of the pattern.
• Cut these out. You’ll need 2 of the squares for the outside material and one on the fold of the long piece.
• Do the same thing with the lining – you’ll need the same amount of the lining as the outside material.
• Lastly do the same thing with the batting; however, cut 4 of the squares and 2 of the long pieces (both on the fold).
• Now, to make the sleeve a little more stiff we’re going to cut a piece of the top of a box to slide into the sides. You don’t have to do this, but I thought it added something extra. Plus, I always have boxes lying around. Cut two, the size of the large square pattern.
• Trim them down to be inside the seam allowances (later I actually had to cut it down even more to keep it from poking out the corners so keep that in mind for later).
• From the handle material you got, cut this strip in half. I think I got about maybe 12″ or so of this so cut them into 6″ strips. Basically I just folded them in half and estimated a good size for a handle.
• Sew the handles on the right side of the outside material with a little hanging over the edge. So now, when you flip in that seam to hem, the edges of the handle will go inside the bag and be hidden.
• Pin the long piece right sides together around three sides of the rectangle. Be sure to keep the handle on the top part where it will stay open.
• Sew this together.
• Then sew the other rectangle around the edges of the long piece as well (right sides together), so you have a pouch now.
• Do the same thing with the lining material.
• For the batting material you’re going to do pretty much the same thing, but this time you’re going to put two pieces of the rectangle pieces together and two of the edges. This just creates more cushion and you’re going to be putting the cardboard between the two pieces of batting on the sides.
• Then sew the other side just like you did for the outer material and the lining material – but with two pieces of batting instead of one. Now you should have 4 layers of batting.
• Flip the outside material right side out, then put the batting material inside that (it doesn’t matter if it’s right side or wrong side out). Finally put the lining material inside the batting material with the right side facing up so that when you look inside you don’t see any seams.
• Place the cardboard pieces inside each side of the sleeves, in between the two layers of batting.
• Fold the outside material and the lining material in towards each other and pin so that you see no more raw edges.
• You’re gonna hate this, but now hand sew all the way around the top (I didn’t end up using the zipper on this). I know it sucks, but just sit back and watch something you enjoy while you do it.
• All done! Put your laptop inside and carry her around.