https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/diy-laptop-case • Posted by David Q.
DIY LAPTOP CASE
DIY LAPTOP CASE
1/2 yard of fabric for exterior — A thick fabric is recommended. Wool plaid works great; you could also consider using a vintage wool blanket or even a wool men’s shirt. 1/2 yard of fabric for lining — A thick, cushy fabric such as wool felt, fleece or other soft material. zipper, about 4–6″ longer than the width of your device sewing machine with zipper foot sharp scissors Ruler
Place the zipper right-side down on the right side of one of the exterior pieces, orienting the zipper so the overhang is equal on both sides. (Note: The zipper is being placed on the long edge of my sleeve, but you could just as easily place it on the narrow edge if you prefer.) Pin the zipper in place along the side edge.
At the corner, make small snips in the zipper tape every 1/4″, which will allow the zipper to bend around the corner more easily. (Be careful not to snip too close to the zipper itself.)
DIY FASHION BAG Now, sew the lining down, following the exact seam line you made in the previous step. I find I get the best results if I sew this piece with the exterior piece facing up, so I can sew right along that first seam line, assuring that the two seam lines will be lined up perfectly, trim the excess fabric from the corners
Turn your fabrics right-side out, and this is what you’ll have — the lining and exterior will be neatly attached to one side of the zipper, and the other side of the zipper tape will still be naked. We’ll be working on the naked side now.
Place the second piece of exterior fabric right-side up, then place the assembled piece over this, aligning the naked edge of the zipper with the new piece of fabric so that everything is aligned the same way it was the first time around. Remember to snip the corner curve on the zipper tape. Pin everything in place, then sew the naked edge of the zipper to the new exterior piece.
After sewing the exterior piece, place the remaining lining piece right-side down on top of the whole stack. So what you’ll have, from bottom to top, is: second exterior piece (which you just sewed), the zipper, the first exterior piece, the first lining piece and finally, the second lining piece. Pin the second lining piece in place and sew it, following the seam line you just made when attaching the second exterior piece.
Turn everything right-side out, and this is what you’ll have — the zipper is installed, but the bottom and sides of the sleeve are still unfinished.
Flip the piece inside out so that the right sides of the exterior pieces are facing each other. Pin the exterior pieces together around all three unfinished edges. Using the zipper foot on your machine, begin sewing at the center of the bottom edge, and sew up around the side, stopping at the point where the zipper seams begin. Backstitch at the end of this seam to secure. Repeat for the other side, again beginning at the center bottom and working up the side.
Finally, flip the piece again so that the right sides of the two lining pieces are facing each other (move the exterior pieces out of the way). Pin the lining pieces together as you did for the exterior and sew them in the same way, but leave a 6″ opening along the bottom edge so that you can turn the piece right-side out. After sewing these seams, carefully turn the piece right-side out through the opening in the lining. Finally, stitch the opening closed by hand or on the machine.