Quilted Laptop Case Sewing Tutorial
Sew a quilted laptop case with zipper closure and two straps using this sewing tutorial.
I created a new quilted zipper bag for my laptop because I love taking my laptop to the park or a coffee shop to work. This laptop sleeve is similar to the small zipper pouch coin purse but I quilted the outer fabric pieces with batting to give it more cushion. I also added two small straps, similar to the makeup bag, for easy carrying. Here are the laptop bag instructions:
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***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 18 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Laptop case sewing supplies needed:
- 1/2 – 3/4 yards of outer fabric (depending on the size of your laptop) – my favorite fabric shop
- 1/2 – 3/4 yards of lining fabric
- Two outer fabric pieces measuring 4″W x 9″H for the two straps
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Clear ruler
- Measuring tape
- Batting
- Fusible interfacing
- Zipper – see “add the zipper” section for length – my go to shop for zippers
- Sewing clips or straight pins
- Sewing gauge or ruler
- Sewing scissors
- Sewing machine
Measure your laptop
You’ll need to measure your laptop before cutting your fabric. Take your measuring tape and wrap it around your laptop in both directions and write down those numbers.
Now you’re going to take your measurements and divide by two and then add two inches to make room for the seam allowance and to easily insert and remove the laptop from the sleeve.
For example: my laptop measures 30.5″W x 20.5″H.
30.5 / 2 = 15.25″W.
20.5 / 2 = 10.25″H.
The width of the laptop is 15.25″W, add two inches = 17.25″
The length of the laptop is 10.25″H, add two inches = 12.25″.
Final measurements = 17.25″W x 12.25″H.
Cut your fabric pieces
Using your cutting mat, clear ruler, and rotary cutter, cut the fabric pieces based on your final measurements. For my laptop, I cut two outer fabric pieces and two lining fabric pieces each measuring 17.25″W x 12.25″H. Cut two outer fabric pieces measuring 4″W x 9″H for the two straps.
Attach the fusible interfacing
You are going to attach the interfacing to the two lining fabric pieces. My go to is Pellon 911FF Fusible Interfacing but you can use any lightweight interfacing.
Cut two pieces of the fusible interfacing measuring the same as your lining fabric pieces and two pieces measuring 4″W x 9″H for the straps. Attach the interfacing following the package instructions.
Add the batting and quilt
Now you are going to quilt the batting to the two outer fabric pieces. Cut two pieces of batting the same measurements as your outer fabric pieces.
Place one outer fabric piece on top of one batting piece. Pin or clip to hold in place.
I like to quilt using straight vertical lines to keep it simple but you can choose any quilting design you like. Be sure to sew all the lines in the same direction.
Find the center at the top and bottom of the fabric piece. You can draw a line connecting the two marks if that makes it easier. (You’ll need the top mark in a later step when basting the straps). Sew a straight line down the middle using your sewing machine. Next, you are going to sew straight lines in equal increments from the center to each edge.
Repeat with the other outer fabric piece and batting.
The above picture shows the quilted outer fabric pieces with straight line quilting.
I thought about adding an outside slip pocket for a notebook but decided to keep it simple. If you’d like to add an outside or inside pocket, follow these instructions on how to add a slip pocket to a bag. You’ll want to cut the fabric the same width as the bag and any length (height) you want. Quilt the fabric using the same quilting method you used to quilt the outer fabric pieces.
Make the laptop bag straps
Take one of the strap fabric pieces and place right side down on your ironing board. Fold the strap in half lengthwise and press along the fold.
Open the strap back up and fold the outside edge to the center fold you just made and press.
Turn the strap around and fold the other outside edge to the center and press.
Fold the strap in half again and press.
Using your sewing machine with matching thread, stitch along each edge lengthwise, using 1/4″ seam allowance.
Repeat with the other strap fabric piece.
The above picture shows what the finished straps should look like.
Baste the straps
Now you are going to baste the straps to the outer fabric pieces.
Find the center mark you made earlier on one of the outer fabric pieces.
Use your sewing gauge or ruler and make a mark 3-inches to the right of the center mark and 3-inches to the left of the center mark.
Take one of the straps and place the outside edge at the mark to the right and the other outside edge at the mark to the left. Clip or pin in place.
Baste the strap to the fabric (about 1/8″ seam allowance).
Baste the other strap to the other outer fabric piece following the same steps.
The above picture shows the outer quilted fabric pieces with the basted straps.
***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 18 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Add the laptop bag zipper
The zipper is measured from the top metal stop to the bottom metal stop. I am using an 18″ zipper but I will be shortening it to 16″ and keeping about 1/2″ tail.
Rule of thumb: the width of your fabric should be 1.5 inches wider than the length of your zipper. If your fabric measures 17.5”, you will want to use a 16” zipper.
If your zipper is too long, follow these instructions on how to shorten a zipper.
Place your zipper face down on one of the outer fabric pieces, right side up. Pin to hold in place.
Then place one of the lining fabric pieces on top of the zipper. Pin to hold in place. The zipper should be sandwiched in between the outer fabric piece and lining fabric piece, right sides together.
Sew the zipper
Before sewing the zipper, open the zipper about 1-inch – this will help with a smooth line of sewing. Be sure your upper thread matches the outer fabric and the bobbin thread matches the lining fabric.
Use your zipper foot for sewing the zipper. Begin sewing the zipper, then when you get to the place almost to the zipper pull, with the needle down, lift the zipper foot and move the zipper pull back to the top. Then lower the foot and continue sewing.
The above pictures show what the first side of the sewn zipper looks like.
Top stitch along the zipper – be sure the corners and edges are lined up. This gives the laptop bag a finished look and keeps the fabric from getting caught in the zipper.
You now have one side of your laptop bag finished.
Repeat with the other fabric pieces
Now you are going to repeat the same process to sew the other side of the zipper.
Place the zipper on top of the other lining fabric piece, lining fabrics right sides together. Pin to hold in place. I pinned the strap down so it doesn’t get in the way.
Place the other outer fabric piece on top of the zipper, outer fabric pieces right sides together. Be sure the straps are lined up, then pin to hold in place.
Sew the zipper, repeating the same process of opening and closing the zipper to sew a smooth line.
Top stitch along the zipper.
The above picture shows what your laptop case should look like at this point.
Sew the DIY laptop case together
Use 3/8″ seam allowance.
Open the zipper to about halfway – you will need the zipper opened for turning.
Fold the bag so the outer fabric pieces are right sides together and the lining pieces are right sides together.
Pinch the zipper so the teeth are facing towards the lining fabric and pin in place.
Sew around the perimeter of the bag, leaving an opening at the bottom of the lining fabric for turning.
Clip the corners using your sewing scissors.
Turn right side out
Through the opening, reach in and open the zipper all the way and turn the bag right side out.
Press the opening. Straight stitch along the bottom of the lining to close the opening using a 1/8″-1/4″ seam allowance.
Push the lining down inside the laptop bag. Press the bag for a nice finished look.
***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 18 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Pin for later!
You are finished!
I hope you enjoyed this DIY laptop bag pattern and can keep your laptop protected anytime you take it to go! Happy sewing!
Other sewing patterns you might like:
- Backpack Purse with Flap Closure Sewing Tutorial
- Fabric Trash Bag for Your Car
- Small Sling Bag with Zipper Closure
- DIY Pencil Case Zipper Pouch