Laptop Heat

Sewing a laptop sleeve/accessories??

Since I can't find a sleep for my laptop (outside of $100plus custom jobs) and I'm a good sewer, I've decided to make my own! I might pop over to Joann's to see if there are any bag patterns, but otherwise thinking of prequilted material and lining it with flannel (soft and shouldn't scratch). Ideas/hint? If anyone has done this, I'd love to hear from you! These are really great ideas! Didn't think of waterproofing it. I have some rubber lined flannel (for burpbibs and such) that might work. Looking forward to seeing what others crafty chicks are thinking!

Public Comments

1. You might want to have some sort of padding like foam. I haven't tried it yet.. I did buy a pattern from Joann's and some of the materials. The pattern is Simplicity #3889, if you're interested.
2. I currently have my own cut out, but haven't gotten around to sewing it up yet. Ooops. I was considering adding a layer from a waterproof bedsheet (available in baby supply stores) but haven't gotten that yet. The one I'm making is going to slip right into my regular briefcase, where I also carry a waterbottle, hence the layer of waterproof bedsheet. If you want details on this pattern, please email me the following measurements for your laptop, all taken when it's closed: measure its height by width, and then measure all the way around it longways. If this doesn't make sense, email me for further explanation. For my old laptop (a 1996 model affectionately referred to as my 'baby dinosaur') I made a carrying case. It had its own case, but had only a small handle and no shoulder strap. I was trying to figure out how to add a shoulder strap to the case it came with, but found it easier to make a case for the case. The purchased case had a good zipper seal, so it just sat inside the homemade case, which was about 3/4 the height of the purchased one. I made a security strap that went over the purchased case and through the little handle on top of it, buttoning securely to the homemade case.
3. Hi: I don't think you need to buy a pattern to make a sleeve for your laptop. The reason I say this is because I made sleeves/covers for my sewing machine, toaster, scissor sharpener and other items -- and did not use a store-bought pattern for any of them. When I made my sleeves/covers, I measured the item I wanted to cover, adding an inch on all sides, tops, or bottoms, to allow for the 5/8 inch seam. Then I used newspaper and a black felt tip pin to draw the measurements onto the paper, and cut it out, drawing my seam allowance line on each piece. To be sure I cut the pattern correctly, I pinned each paper piece at the seam line together first. If the fit was good -- not too tight or too big, I laid out my newspaper pattern on the desired fabric, and cut it out. Being a stickler for perfection, I basted my cut fabric pieces together first, then fit them onto the particular item. If the fit was good, I re-stitched everything with a smaller stitch, back-stitching at the beginning and end of each seam. For my toaster and scissor sharpener, I used the same fabric I used for my curtains and chairs because these are all in the kitchen. I used fabric that matched my curtains in my sewing room for my sewing machine. You can buy rip stop to make a cover for your laptop because it is waterproof. This is fabric used to make flags. For added safety, you could line your cover with batting, but you will have to allow for the thickness of the batting. You might want to personalize the cover even further by embroidering or writing your name or initials on the top of the cover. If you write your name, use a pen especially made for marking on fabric. These are available at any fabric store, and will not run on the fabric, or wash out. Or you could choose an applique your favorite flower, pet, sports group, etc. and sew or glue that to the top of the cover. This is a very easy project. Good luck!!!