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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Laptop Case

I received a new laptop for Christmas.  It is the Apple MacBook Air.  It is super sleek and super light.  It is perfect for me to blog each evening while I sit in the lobby of my kids tennis center.  


However, with it being so light and sleek, I needed a case to carry it to and from tennis.  I went online to check out what they were selling that might work.
source
That case was $34 plus shipping, and honestly, it just wasn't that cute.  So I decided I could make a case. Using left over fabric from a chair I recovered, batting I already had and white felt I had,  I started by measuring the case and then cutting fabric, batting and white felt two inches wider and 2 1/2 times longer than the computer measured.





I took all three layers and laid them on top of each other with the felt being on the inside, then the batting and then the felt.  On each of the long ends I folded and sewed the decorative fabric so that there would be a finished edge for the flap and end of the case.

Because all three layers were so thick, it was easier if I sewed it all around first before I tried to fold it over.  I started sewing at my normal pace when bam...I broke a needle.  These three layers were pretty thick, so I slowed down the sewing process and had no further trouble.  Lesson learned...with thick fabric or several layers...slower is better.
When all four edges were sewn together I laid the computer on the fabric and folded it over right sides together (the floral fabric - the picture shows the computer laying on the felt but I flipped it over to the floral side).
I sewed it together and then had to make a closure of some sort.  The case I saw online used a string attachment like an inter-office envelope.  I didn't love that idea.  In my stash of sewing supplies I had fusible velcro.
Although the package said it was fusible, I decided to sew it on instead. I figured it would stay better since I knew I would be opening and closing the case on a daily basis.
I sewed the velcro onto the flap top and onto the case as shown above and below.
Here is the finished project.
Since it has a center layer of batting it's very cushy.  I love how it came out and it works great.  It also it perfect to keep on my lap and then have the computer on top of it when using the computer.  It was a quick and easy project and since I already had all of the materials, it cost me nothing.  Let me know what you think.  I always love hearing from you.

-Judy

11 comments:

MadeInCanarias said...

What a great tutorial! Thanks for sharing!

Jennie said...

Beautiful job. I am very impressed with your creativity and resourcefulness. Now, how about a strap or handle to make it easier to carry back and forth to tennis?

Tru said...

Great project. It looks soooo much better than the store bought thing. If you gotta carry something around, you might as well be "stylin"!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi Judy~ What a darling case! You did a great job on it- I am thinking maybe some for Etsy? Who wouldn't want a super cute case for their laptop?
Yay for your Macbook! I love my Mac~they are the best! :)

Lisa said...

Jealous of your laptop...and case! I have an older model but it's too big to fit in most cases. I'd love to try to make my own cute case for it. Thanks for the idea!

Peeters Liliane said...

Looks great I love the collors and the fabric.
Greetings from Belgium,
Liliane

Traci said...

Judy I love it!! You're so talented!

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

Well aren't you just so clever?! Love it!

Samantha said...

Love it! My hubby wants a mac book air (we have a mac book pro now.) I really like the fabric you used - looks remarkably like your blog background :-)

Christina said...

I love this!! Thanks so much for your comment on my pillow :) I would love it if you would link this to my new party "20 Below Thursday"...it spotlights thrifty and cute projects just like this!!
http://christinasadventures2010.blogspot.com/2011/01/20-below-thursday-3.html

Christina said...

Thank you so much for linking to my "20 Below Thursday" party! I really do love this project!! :)

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