How to Make a Laptop Tote Bag

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Select your materials.

   You might, for example, use a Cardboard Laptop Case as a guide for size.
   
   If not, simply measure all the way around the laptop from the hinge side to the opening and then back to the hinge (as opposed to just the top); this will be the length of the fabric.
   
   Then, measure the width of the laptop plus each side; this will be the width of the fabric. , One should be large enough to cover the laptop all the way around plus an inch (2.5 cm) in every direction; this will be the inside layer of the tote.
   
   The other should be half an inch (1 cm) larger than the first all around; this will be the outside of the tote.
   
   They can be the same colors or different coordinating colors. (If the outside layer is a durable water-resistant kind of fabric, so much the better.) ,,,, Flatten one corner of the bag so that the seam visually “splits” the triangle in half.
   
   Then, sew across the corner, keeping the new seam perpendicular to the existing seam (as seen below).
   
   Repeat this process on the other corner.
   
   When you flip the bag right-side-out, the corners will be blunted. ,, Make adjustments if necessary., Be sure to align them carefully. ,,,,, Make any necessary adjustments for proper fit. ,,,, This forms a roll of cloth, hiding the raw edges of both layers. ,, Make them whatever length is pleasing and comfortable for you (12 inches or 30 cm for a short handle, 24+ inches or 70+ cm for a shoulder strap)., Fold the bottom edge up to the center of the strip.
   
   Fold the top edge down to the center of the strip.
   
   Fold the entire strip in half lengthwise and iron for a smooth finish. ,, Mark the thirds with pins., Be sure to leave plenty of excess handle hanging below the hemline on either side, as you will be rolling and sewing this in the upcoming steps. ,, In this example, the handles are zig-zagged across the top edge and single-stitched along the sides and bottom.
   
   Choose whatever appeals to you. , You now have a custom carrying case for your laptop. , If you use batting or foam rubber to reinforce the bag, keep that in mind; later, you'll have to pull that bulk through to complete the bag.
   
   There is really no right or wrong size for the “pull-through hole”; it just depends on the project and materials being used.,,,, What you'll have now is a tote with the lining right-side out on the outside, the exterior on the inside (looking down into the tote, you'll see the wrong side of the exterior fabric), and the strap sandwiched between the two., Now the strap and the exterior fabric are on the outside (right-side out) and the lining is on the inside (right side showing)., It doesn't matter if it's not perfect because that seam will be on the inside of the bag.
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   Step 2: Launder and iron the fabrics to be used.

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   Step 3: Measure the laptop to be carried.

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   Step 4: Cut two layers of cloth.

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   Step 5: Cut two thicknesses of quilt batting the size of your smaller (inner) piece of material.

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   Step 6: Cut a layer of interfacing material the size of the smaller (inner) piece of material.

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   Step 7: Sew the sides of the outer layer of material together

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   Step 8: leaving the top open.

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   Step 9: Miter the corners.

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    Step 10: Fold and sew the tips of the miters to the seam line.

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    Step 11: Turn right-side-out and test-fit.

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    Step 12: Layer the interfacing

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    Step 13: batting

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    Step 14: and inner material.

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    Step 15: Quilt the three layers together by hand or by machine.

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    Step 16: Fold the quilted layer in half and sew the sides together

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    Step 17: leaving the top open.

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    Step 18: Clip the batting and interfacing close to the seam.

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    Step 19: Miter the corners as above

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    Step 20: sewing the mitered tips to the seam line.

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    Step 21: Test-fit by sliding your laptop into the inner layer.

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    Step 22: Insert the bag interior into the bag exterior.

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    Step 23: Clip the inner layer so that it’s 2 inches (5 cm) higher than the edge of your laptop (or box

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    Step 24: in this case).

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    Step 25: Clip the outer layer two inches (5 cm) longer than the inner layer.

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    Step 26: Fold the outer layer twice – once in and over itself and once again over the inner layer – and pin for sewing.

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    Step 27: Sew the layers together along the inside

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    Step 28: lower edge of the rolled/folded outer edge.

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    Step 29: Cut 4- to 5-inch (10- to 13-cm) wide strips for your handles.

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    Step 30: Fold and iron the handle strips.

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    Step 31: Top-stitch the strips to hold their shape.

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    Step 32: Measure the top of your bag and divide by 3.

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    Step 33: Place your handle ends just inside the pins.

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    Step 34: Pin the handles in place

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    Step 35: fold the raw ends under themselves

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    Step 36: and pin the folds into place.

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    Step 37: Top-stitch the handle ends in place.

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    Step 38: Trim all threads.

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    Step 39: When sewing the lining

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    Step 40: leave a hole in the bottom.

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    Step 41: Flip the lining so that it’s inside-out and sew the handles to the outside.

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    Step 42: Flip lining right-side out with strap/handle on the inside.

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    Step 43: Put exterior shell inside lining

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    Step 44: also with the right side facing out.

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    Step 45: Sew seam around the top connecting the inside and straps of the bag to the exterior shell.

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    Step 46: Reach in the hole you left in the lining

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    Step 47: grab the strap or exterior fabric

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    Step 48: and pull it through.

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    Step 49: Machine- or hand-sew the hole shut in the bottom of the lining.

Detailed Guide

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