Sunday, November 22, 2009

$1.50 Laptop Case

Did I tell you Gerry gave me a present? He'd been socking money away in a virtual wallet somewhere, and surprised me with a shiny, red laptop last month! --squeal!-- Since then, I've been shopping around for a laptop bag or sleeve to protect my new toy, but none of them were exactly right. The cutest one, and the one I almost bought, was this flowery one from Built, but it's almost $30, and I just could not bring myself to do it.

So this is what I came up with instead. You might recognize the fabric from the camera case I made for Gerry a few months ago. I wasn't trying to be all matchy, but it was the only quilted fabric I had, so I went with it.

I thought it could use a little more padding, so I went to the thrift shop in search of something cushy to use for a lining. I was thinking maybe a fleece shirt, but none of them were quite nice enough, and they were all a bit pricey as well, so I ended up with this crazy flowered towel.

Let me tell you, Gerry is WILD about that lining! He thinks I'm a genius for using a towel. "It'll polish it when you put it away!" he said. I just thought it was cute, matched the denim, and added some padding. But if he wants to think I'm a genius...okay.

I think this is my favorite part. I'm not a big Velcro fan, so I used buttons and bias tape to make kind of an interoffice envelope closure. Winding the string in a figure eight to close those envelopes always sort of tickles my fancy!

In the end, instead of spending $30 for the neoprene sleeve, I spent a grand total of $1.50 (for the towel). The quilted fabric was given to me by a friend, and the notions were just part of the stash. Not bad!

15 comments:

Andreae Callanan said...

The figure-8 closure *is* genius! Very nicely done. I'm inspired!

Ellen said...

It turned out great. Maybe I'll make something like this for my next project.

bunting said...

Well, you did a fabulous job there. I'm very envious. Oh for a laptop.....
But I love my desktop Mac so I won't upset it by making comments.

Katie said...

That is adorable - I love the towel!

meredithp said...

I think we had those towels in my youth!

Really neat! I'm definitely borrowing the interoffice envelope closure idea.

Anonymous said...

I think this is a fabulous idea - especially the closure!

I'm totally with you on the *cringe* $39 neoprene covers! Yipes! And the can't even be washed, per the label on one I was looking at a while back.

Thanks for the inspiration. I need to go through my stash and see what I can come up with.

Angela Pea

Okay...the little word thingie is "frogityp". Who thinks up these security words? "Frogity P." sounds like a name for a dog.

julie k said...

The towel matches so well. Nicely done. I love the closure, too.

Denise said...

love it! I will have to get my butt in gear and make myself one. Great idea on the towel. Your a genius in disguise right? ;)

r4i software said...

It will be prove very great for us with this thing I am really impressed and try d to do as like this one thanks for this post.

patti said...

I love the bag! I am so stealing your closure idea.

Karin van Dam said...

What a great idea. I have been looking for a bag for my laptop for quite a while, but this looks so much prettier!

Melanie said...

This is brilliant! Why didn't I see this before I spent the 24.95 on the Built striped case! I like this even better than mine. I may have to make this even though I don't really need it. LOL

Kate S said...

Lovely - what a cute laptop case! So much nicer than anything store brought :)

Unknown said...

I made something similar a while back (sans the totally awesome frog closure) and I love it. NO way was I going to drop $40 on what essential amounted to an envelope of neoprene. I used the quilted material inside and plain fabric outside. I love your upcycled towel. I might have to make another so I can try it out!

Darling Petunia said...

Thanks to everyone for the nice comments!