When I take my laptop anywhere I carry it in a grocery bag...
Yes call me a fashion icon!
I figured it was about time I stepped up the cool quotient and made myself something a bit more stylish to carry my computer in.
(Note this would make a ROCKIN' diaper bag too!)
$3.00 alpaca thrift store sweater meet my laptop...computer this is Mr. Sweater! I am hoping you all will be very happy together.
First I determined if I had a sweater big enough to hold the computer...this dark turquoise blue sweater that I had previously felted would fit nicely.
Next I picked out a fabric for the lining...
Being as I was in no mood for something soft and feminine I went with bold and fun...I think the sweater approves!
I laid the laptop on the sweater and used a piece of paper to determine the distance apart and the arc of the handles...
pinned and then cut...
After I cut out around the neck I used the piece I cut as a template for the next cut at the shoulder.
Cut out both sides at the shoulders
(The underarm side seams will be the center front and center back of your bag)
Lay the bag out on the fabric you will use for the lining.
But around leaving about 1/2 inch for seam allowance...leave 1" at the top of the shoulder strap. Cut two.
Next lay out your lining piece on some fusible interfacing and cut it out...cut two.
With your iron fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the lining pieces.
Stitch your sides together. Turn lining so seam is in front facing you...put aside.
Cut two rectangular pieces for the interior pockets. Mine I made 8" tall.
Fold each one in half short end to short end right sides together. Sew around the edges leaving a small opening for turning.
Turn right side out by pulling fabric through the opening.
My secret to really sharp corners is my handy dandy orange chopstick! I have no clue how to eat with them but they are certainly handy for sewing...
Press the pockets.
Pin pocket to the lining. They go over the from seam that is facing you...center the seam on the pocket
Stitch around the sides and bottom leaving the top of the pocket open.
I stitched through the pocket making little sleeves for pens.
With right sides together stitch across the bottom.
Turn right side out. Slip the lining into the sweater turning under the top edge and pin.
Stitch along the top edges...
Here it is all stitched up...
Next cut open the sleeves. Cut a rectangle 6" wide by the length of the sleeve. This is going to be your ruffle.
Sew a long gathering stitch up the middle of the rectangle. Gather it until it is the length that will fit on the front.
Pin it to the outside of your bag.
Sew on the center line to your bag attaching the ruffle.
Use either a ribbon or another piece of fabric to cover the center stitching.
I used a piece or the lining fabric that I made into a tiny ruffle.
Hand stitch in place and...
You're done!
Slip your laptop in and you are good to go!
Much prettier than a grocery bag!
And for those of you that really know me know that I hate to sew ruffles and I don't wear them either...ruffles are just not my thing.
So why a ruffle on your laptop bag?
Well with 3 college age sons living at home right now, each with their own laptop. None of which have a laptop carrier.
I figured a bit of ruffle would discourage my bag from getting up and walking away with one of them!
Now I have two bags that my sons won't steal...
A girl has got to stay one step ahead of those boys!
Note...the tutorial for the felted wool sweater rose bag is here.
