Friday, December 19, 2008

Laptop Cases DONE!

Like the fat guy up in the North Pole I've been hard at work in my workshop, pulling some late nights to try and make a dent in my (overly ambitious) homemade gift list. Well, it's December 19th and I've finally finished something! Take a look at these two laptop bags:


Made from the Amy Butler pattern, I guess you'd call them protective cases more than bags. I knew I wanted to make one for my brother's girlfriend who recently got a brand new Macbook (not that I'm jealous or anything). While I was buying the materials, I figured I'd go ahead and get enough to make two ... you know, assembly line style.


It opens up and the laptop nestles inside atop a few layers of stabilizer and fusible fleece. I was hoping to have a nice, new Macbook as a prop for my photo, but my work computer will have to do. Again, I'm not jealous or anything.


I was dazzled by the array of Midwest Modern 2 at my local shop and could decide on two exterior / lining combos, but I'm pretty happy with the ones I chose.



So this project really, really pushed me out of my comfort zone. Layers upon layers of canvas duck cloth, extra firm stabilizer, fusible fleece, sew-on Velcro ... it wasn't quite the "quick and easy" project I was hoping for, but I consider it a huge accomplishment not only that I finished, but that the computer fits and the Velcro actually lines up!!


Ah, another shot that would be lovely if it featured a beautiful, functional new Macbook ... Santa, are you reading this?? I've been a good boy this year ... I promise!

Are they perfect? Of course not. But if I wanted perfect, I would have just bought one, right? As for the second one, I'm not sure yet who I'll be giving it to. Or, maybe I'll wait and see if there's anything special under the tree next Thursday ...
Posted by at 9:44 PM
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35 comments:

  1. Subtle! Nice work though!
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  2. I love them! Great work! If mine wasn't such a hunky piece of junk (we're talking HUGE) I'd love to have one. As for now, I'll wait until I get a laptop that actually fits on my lap.
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  3. I have been wanting to make one of these too, but they sound a little more complicated that I thought. We will see. I love yours and the fabric is so great. I understand your want for the Macbook, it is awesome. I have the Macbook Pro and I couldn't live with out it.
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  4. Congratulations on completing such a challenging project - twice! Great choice of fabrics... hopefully Santa is reading and will give you what you want for Christmas!
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  5. I love the fabric combinations you chose. First time I've seen these made by someone and you did a great job.
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  6. They came out great John! Sewing through those layers can be a real bear!
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  7. They're lovely, but they *really* would look better with a Macbook. Perhaps you should splurge?!
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  8. I love the Laptop Bags!! You are completely right, they would look nice with a Mac Book in them. We just recently got an iMac and I can see why you want Santa to bring you a Mac Book. I hope all your wishes come true.
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  9. Love the fabric. Great job. Something tells me you would like a Macbook. I'm sending you macbook vibes.
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  10. They look great, but what a hopeless begger you are....*L*
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  11. I am getting the feeling that you would like a Mac. Huh. Does Santa bring stuff like that? Man, if I knew that I would have been asking for one too. I did get the iphone for a birthday/Christmas gift. Fun, but not the same.
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  12. Very nice! I love the pink one. I hope Santa is good to you this year!
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  13. Love the cases - let's just hope "santa" reads your blog. Have a great Christmas - although it would be nice to have some colder weather this week and just for this week only.
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  14. I love my Imac. Hope you get your Macbook. The covers are great. They would look much better with the Macbook. LOL.
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  15. Beautifully done. Nice job!

    Jen
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  16. They look great, John! I hope you get your Christmas wish!
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  17. Well done John. They look fantastic. Best of luck with getting a new laptop.
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  18. nice job on the lap top cases! I had an overly ambitious handmade gift list, too. lots of it went by the wayside. what do you do, right?
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  19. What great cases!! Congrats on doing homemade gifts! I'm sure they both will love them!
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  20. Love 'em! If I had a laptop, I'd love one of these. Santa, are you listening?
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  21. Great job John...love them!Is it ok to add your blog to mine?

    Thanks,
    Cathy
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  22. Everyone deserves a MacBook! But you can't have mine. LOL

    Love those cases. Good luck with Santa. :-)
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  23. And since I can never resist adding another 2 cents...

    Don't be afraid to shop the refurb items. Just about all of our Mac stuff is from Apple's refurb shop and it's no different from new (except for cost of course). Also (IMHO) go for the aluminum. The edges of the plastic cases are sharp!

    Jingle bells, jingle bells......
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  24. Those look great! I once made a sleeve for someone but I've never seen these before.
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  25. These are beautiful! Merry Christmas and hopefully there will be some wonderful presents under your tree!
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  26. heheheh MacBooks Rock!!! i have one...not that im bragging or anything ;)
    but if you dont find one under the tree, you could always send me your extra one :) hehehehe
    Merry Christmas!!!
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  27. good for you! have a lovely christmas!
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  28. I don't speak english only a little.I have visited your blog.
    You do some nice work.I'll visit your blog.I will write a new post.
    Greetings from Spain
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  29. I hadn't seen these made by anyone yet. They do look great and I love the fabric you used.
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  31. Those bags are AWESOME! I love the fabrics you chose as well!
    Cheers,
    Dionne
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  32. Hello,
    My name is Bethany and I am a fellow quilter. I have a longarm gammill business and love to free-motion quilt. I am obsessed with blogging and have a couple. Thanks for sharing your ideas. Your blog is fun to read...I really like the laptop cases.
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  33. I haven't stopped by in a while. Just wanted to say hi! So Hi! I love the laptop cases.
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  34. Very creative!! You choose some awesome fabric too!! Wonderful job :o)
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  35. Oh my, I love the laptop cases. I just recently received a GREEN Dell for Christmas. I have my fabric picked out to make a cover/protector. I even had a design picked out and then I saw yours and liked it much better. Hmmmmm.........which way to go. How about I send you the fabric and you make it for me. HAHA, just joking. It looks great and you did a wonderful job.
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