How to Make a Laptop Sleeve: Dress Your Laptop in Style

After precariously schlepping my unprotected laptop around for work, I figured I’d better not tempt fate any longer and this is what I came up with! I used a piece of lawn furniture fabric (think water resistant) and some cowhide leather, I keep around for just such projects. I lined it with canvas and used ½” foam for the protective cushion between the layers.

I was making this for a 13” laptop (that actually measured closer to 12.5”x 9.5”). I cut my outer fabric about 2.5” wider and longer than the laptop. Because I wanted the bottom to be seamless, I cut my piece 12” wide x 30” long with the intention of folding it in half.

I cut two pieces of lining canvas at 12” x 15.5”. I then used a small glass dish to round the two bottom corners of the lining, giving myself a ⅜” seam allowance.

Pin the two lining layers together and stitch, leaving a large opening on the bottom edge (between markings). Make sure to backstitch at the top edges and again on either side of the opening on the bottom edge. You will only be sewing three sides together, the sides and the part of the bottom (leave the top edge open).

Clip the excess fabric from the corners. Set the lining aside.

For the leather corners on the outer piece, I used a soup bowl (I know, super scientific.) This bowl is about 6” across and can be used as a circle template that can then be cut into two halves, or in my case, I used it to draw two halves on smaller scraps of leather I had on hand.

Fold your outer fabric in half and mark the center on both sides (in my case it was at the 15” line). Place your two half circles centered over those markings.

You won’t easily get straight pins through the leather so I opted for some tacky glue spray to hold my pieces in place while I sewed them down. This is Aleene’s Tacky Spray and it works pretty well.! (I’m sure there are other brands that would do work just as well.) Spray a small amount on the backside of the leather, just enough to make it tacky and press them back in their places. Stitch them down along the curved edge (no need to stitch the straight edge, we will do that with the side seams).

Cut a small rectangle of leather for the button tab: I cut mine 1.5” x 3”. Use the tacky glue again to secure it to the front middle of the outer cover. I placed mine about 4.5” from the top edge and halfway between the two sides. Stitch this down close to the edge.  

I used a denim button pounded through the leather and the cover fabric. These are easy to install, all you need is the front and back of the button and a hammer to pound the two together!

Fold the outer fabric in half and pin along the two sides. Use the glass dish as before to curve the bottom two corners leaving a ⅜” seam allowance on the two sides only, letting the curved line drift off the bottom edge. Sew the two side seams curving at the bottom and backstitching at the top on both sides. Cut away the excess fabric from around the curve. Turn the cover right side out at this point.

Now for the flap. I cut the canvas piece the same width as the body of the sleeve (in my case that was 12” x 3 ¾”.) Use the same glass dish to curve the two bottom edges of the flap. Now, press under the the two sides and the bottom edge around the curve about ⅜”. Use this as your template to cut out a matching flap in leather.

Cut a thin strip of leather to be used as the tie (about ¼” x 20”). Mark the center on the canvas side of the flap for the tie placement. Use the tacky spray, again, to secure the two sides of the flap together tucking the tie in between the layers where the marking is. Stitch these together along the two sides and across the bottom. I did a little backstitch over the tie to be sure it was secure.

Place the flap along the top edge of the back of the outer cover centered between the side seams (leather side towards the cover fabric). You may need binder clamps to hold this in place while you stitch. Stitch it in place with a ¼” seam allowance.

Stuff the outer cover into the lining matching the side seams and pinning it all along the top edge (use the binder clips again where the leather flap is). The fabrics should be right sides together at this point. Stitch the top edge all the way around with a ½” seam allowance.

Pull the outer cover and flap through the hole in the bottom of the lining fabric, turning the lining fabric right side out as you do.  

Cut two pieces of ½” foam just bigger than your laptop (mine were 11”x14”) Curve the bottom and shape the edges on both pieces to soften the harsh corners. Stuff both pieces of foam though the hole in the lining and arrange them in the outer cover side (they should be a snug fit).

Pin and topstitch the hole closed, close to the edge.

Now stuff the lining down into the sleeve in between the two layers of foam. Be sure to get the corners nice and pushed in so there’s no extra fabric in the way.

Voila! You’re done!

POST BY:

My Quilted Life

The Day I Decided to Make Sandals

Binding Inside Angles

Also find Krista on Etsy, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest!

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Now I didn’t include the super obvious ones like Pinterest, Instagram, etc – they’re a given right?!

Some of these you might have heard of and others might be brand new to you!

Do you have a favorite that we didn’t include? Please share it below!!

PROJECT LIFE

This is one of my very favorite apps on this planet. I literally scrapbook on my phone while I’m waiting in a long drive thru line or picking up the kids from school. I even order my 8×8 prints directly from my phone and they are shipped in a few days. Does scrapbooking get easier than this? I think not.

Cost: $2.99

Have access to DIY projects galore at your fingertips, video tutorials, and of course coupons. A favorite feature? There is a place where you can enter what craft products you have on hand and you can explore what you can create using those items. Cool right?!

Cost: Free

STANLEY LEVEL

State-of-the-art level on your smart phone at all times? Yes! Comes in so handy when doing gallery walls, hanging art, shelves, etc.

Cost: Free

Forget your coupon in the checkout line? Pull out your phone and save big time! Easily find a store near you and see the latest weekly ads, too.

Cost: Free

This one might be really obvious. Crafters love Etsy! Most of us have crafts we love to make, and crafts we’d rather buy right? Etsy is a place to find endless creativity and find those perfect, one-of-a kind gifts. The app is fabulous because you can customize what you’d like to see. It’s also a perfect on-the-go way to check on your stores and your sales!

Cost: Free

Hobby Lobby is a one-stop shop for craft supplies and you’ll want to have this on hand for coupons and promotions. The app is fabulous because you can shop directly from the app!

Cost: Free

CREATIVE BUG

If you haven’t watched Creative Bug classes you need to head on over there. I LOVE the high-quality DIY videos and tutorials. Beautiful. The instructors are top-notch, too. Watch them all from your phone with this app!

Cost: Free with optional upgrades

HOME DEPOT

I really like Home Depot’s app for a few reasons. You can shop online from the app, pick up items in store, find reviews, watch videos, and it has a built-in shopping list!

Cost: Free

HOUSE DESIGN 3D

Wonder what your home would look like if you added on to it. Maybe you want to move furniture around or try new paint colors? This app is awesome!! Walks you right through your new designed home.

Cost: Free with optional upgrades

CRAFT PRICING CALCULATOR

Enjoy making your handcrafted items to sell without the hassle of knowing what to charge customers! This calculates cost, time, and does all of the calculating for you!

Cost: Free

The post The Best DIY & Craft Apps appeared first on U Create.

I’ve bought a few accessories for my tablet.  A silicone skin cover (hot pink of course), tablet stand and screen protector.  The only thing I still needed was a protective case for when I wasn’t using it or when traveling.

I looked around on Amazon, but I wasn’t finding anything I liked online. (Gotta get my money’s worth out of the Amazon Prime membership I just paid for.)  After contemplating what I wanted, I decided to just make my own padded Tablet Cover.

Here is how I made the tablet cover:

Materials needed :
-2 Fabric pieces, one for the outside and one for the inside.  For my outside fabric I pieced together some fabric scraps I won from giveaway on the Modkid Blog by Patty Young.  This fabric is from her new line, “Lush”.
-Quilt Batting (You could also use fleece or felt)
-Elastic cording
-Button
-Thread
-Cutting mat and ruler with bias markings (you can manage without bias marking, but it sure makes it easier)
-water soluble marker
-scissors
-fray check

First, you need to determine the width to cut your fabric.  Here is how to get measurements for your device:

I could give you a long mathematical computation for the length of fabric needed, but it will be a lot easier if you just cut the fabric to 3.5 times the length of your device.  Then just play with how big you want your pocket and how much you want the flap to fold over.  Once you have the pocket and flap size to your liking, add one inch for seam allowances and trim off any extra fabric.  (I did work out the formula, so if you work better that way, leave a comment and I will send it to you.)

I didn’t take a picture of this process, but here is a close up of how mine looks in the pocket and with the flap folded over:

Next, cut  your second fabric piece to the same dimensions as the first piece.  Cut the batting to the same width and 1/2 inch shorter on the length. (This helps when we finish the open end.)

Lay your fabrics together in this order:

Top fabric right side up,

bottom fabric right side down

then the batting (fleece or felt)

Next, sew the 3 edges together, using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving the top open as shown:

Clip the bottom corners and trim away extra fabric from the sides.

Then flip the cover right side out, so the batting is on the inside, sandwiched between the top and bottom layer.  Use a pencil or point turner to help get a crisp corner.

Iron the seam edges flat.

Remember how you cut the batting 1/2 inch shorter and left the short edge open?  Fold the fabric edges in 1/2 inch all the way around the opening and press the edges as evenly as possible.  Pin in place.

Cut your elastic cord to about 7 inches. Find the center of the pocket flap and mark it.  Fold the cord in half and tuck in about an inch between the folded edges at your center marking.  Pin securely.

Sew the edge closed 1/4 inch from the edge.

When you get to where the cord is tucked in, back stitch over the cord 2 times, so it is extra secure.

Next, we will mark the quilting lines with our disappearing ink marker.  Line your fabric up on the cutting mat, then line up your ruler using the 45 degree bias markings.

With your marker, draw lines 2 inches apart all the way across the fabric.

Then flip your fabric around and draw more lines going the other direction.  You will end up with a criss-cross pattern like this:

Sew all the way across, edge to edge, along each line you drew.  Pull all your treads to the back/inside piece, tie securely and trim.  Use fray check on the knots to ensure they are extra secure.

Next, lay out your fabric out flat.  Use your to judgment on how much room you want in your pocket and how much overlap you want with the flap.  Mark the edge of the pocket and pin in place.

Start sewing from the top of the flap to the bottom edge of the pocket, about 3/8 inch from the edge.  Repeat on the other side.

You’re almost done, the only thing left is to sew on the button.  Just close the flap and use the cord loop as a guide for button placement.

 

Ta da!   You’re Done!  Now sit back and admire your new handmade Quilted Tablet Cover!

 

Thank you so much Kari for having me at Ucreate today!

If you like this tutorial and want to see more, I’d love to have you visit me at my blog, Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.

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