Ruffled Case for MacBook Pro Tutorial

I have been wanting to make a case for my laptop ever since I got it for Christmas.  I needed something to cart it back and forth to the workshops Apple offers when you purchase one of their products.  Anything for an excuse to sew something!

I went shopping for some fabric the other day, and ended up buying laminated fabric.  I have used fusible vinyl before as a substitute, but the laminated fabric is so much nicer.  It is much softer and doesn't seem to crease or get scuffed as easily as the fusible vinyl.  It is a little pricey, so I was a little scared to cut into it.  I finally got up enough nerve, and I am happy to say it turned out much better than I had anticipated.  Lookie...

Here is how I made my case.

My measurements are for the MacBook Pro 17" computer.  If you have a different size laptop, you will need to adjust the measurements.

Here is what you will need:

2/3 yard outer fabric
2/3 yard lining fabric
fusible fleece
22" purse zipper (or one about 4" longer than the width of your computer)
rotary cutter, cutting mat, quilting ruler or scissors
sewing machine, thread, pins
gathering foot (optional)
zipper foot

Cut two 13"x18" panels each of your main fabric and lining fabric.
Cut 4 strips of main fabric 2"x40" for the ruffles.
Cut 2 strips of main fabric 3"x13" for the handles.
Cut two 12"x17" panels of fusible fleece, and fuse to wrong side of lining fabric following manufacturers instructions, making sure to leave 1/2" border on all edges.  This is to keep the seams from being too bulky.

Using your gathering foot, gather the 4 strips down the center to make the ruffles.  If you don't have a gathering foot, baste down the center of each strip using the longest straight stitch on your machine.  Don't back tack at the ends.  Gently pull the bobbin thread to gather fabric, working from both ends.

Mark the main fabric panel at even intervals where you want the ruffles to be.  Mine are about 2 1/2'' apart.

Sew the ruffles in place and trim excess from the edges.

Center zipper on top edge of main fabric, right sides together, and pin in place.

You will need to clip the edge of the zipper tape so it will round the corner of the fabric and extend down the side a little.

Using a zipper foot, baste the zipper to the fabric using a scant 1/4" seam.  Start and stop at both ends of the zipper tape.  You will sew the side seems later.  (No photo)

Close zipper and pin to other main fabric panel making sure to line up the corners of both panels.  Clip the other edge of the zipper tape for both corners.  Baste in the same manner as before.

Now you are going to pin the right side of the lining fabric to the wrong side of the zipper.

Sew in place just inside your basting stitch, which should now be a true 1/4'' seam.

This is what one side of the lining sewed in place will look like.  Repeat with the other side of the lining fabric.  Trim and clip corners.

At this point, you will have the zipper sewed in to the main fabric and the lining.  Hang in there, you are almost done!

OPEN the zipper.

Next, using a 1/2" seam, you are going to sew the main panels right sides together from one end of the zipper, down one side to the bottom, across the bottom, and up the other side to the end of the zipper.   ***Make sure you OPEN the zipper BEFORE you sew all the way around.***  Don't ask me how I know!  :)  Check to make sure the ends of the zipper tapes made it into the seams.

Repeat this step with the lining, but make sure to leave an opening (about 4") on one of the sides or the bottom to turn the bag right side out. (no photo)

Trim and clip all the corners, turn the bag right side out through the hole in the lining, and top stitch the opening closed.

Sew each handle right sides together using a 1/4" seam.  Turn right side out.  I stuffed a piece of cotton batting (1 1/4"x13") into each handle 'tube' to add a little softness and structure to them, then top stitched along each edge.

Pin handles a couple inches down from the zipper, and sew in place.

And that is it!  You have just made a one of a kind case for your laptop!

The back side.

Ruffles galore!


I have to say I think this is my greatest sewing achievement to date without a pattern.  I hope you were able to follow my directions, and let me know if you have any questions.

K

Linking up at Craftomaniac Monday Link Party,  Making the World Cuter Monday, and Do Something Crafty Friday