How to Make a Padded Computer Case

How to Make a Padded Computer Case

How to Make a Padded computer Case

I have a work laptop that desperately needed a case. I decided to create this terrific and simple padded computer case to transport it back and forth to work.  This is a simple sewing project.  It is fun to make and comes together easily.  Why choose black when you can choose whatever color or pattern you want. Of course you can go an buy a black case but why?  You can make this terrific padded laptop case in no time with the fabrics of your choice. This is an intermediate to advanced project but well worth the try.  

I chose a nice contemporary floral cotton for the exterior of my laptop case and some bright Kona cotton for the lining.  I purchased them both at JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores.  However, I also recommend that you head to Hobby Lobby, Fabric.com and Onlinefabricstore.net for an even wider selection of fun fabrics for your laptop case. There is so much to choose from.  I also used fusible foam interfacing as the padding for this project.  You can get this product at any of these locations.  This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

What you will Need: How to Make a Padded computer Case 

  • 1 yd outer fabric and lining fabric
  • 1/2 yd of second lining fabric
  • 1/2 yd fusible fleece like Pellon TP971F
  • Small amount of Pellon SF101 or similar woven interfacng
  • 33″ #5 continuous zipper or 13″ zipper and 20″ zipper
  • 3 zipper sliders if using continuous zipper

Step 1: Cut Your Fabrics

Outer:

  • 14 1/8″ x 3 1/2″
  • 14 1/8″ x 7 1/2″ x 2 pieces
  • 14 1/8″ x 3 3/8″
  • 19 1/4″ x 1 1/8″ x 2 pieces
  • 26 1/2″ x 2″
  • 3 1/8″ x 13 7/8″ x 2 pieces
  • 1 5/8″ x 1 1/8″ x 2 pieces for tabs

Lining

  • 14 1/8″ x 3 1/2″
  • 14 1/8″ x 7 1/2″ x 2 pieces
  • 14 1/8″ x 3 3/8″
  • 14 1/8″ x 10 3/4″ x 2 pieces
  • 19 1/4″ x 1 1/8″ x 2 pieces
  • 26 1/2″ x 2″
  • 14 1/8″ x 1 5/8″ x 2 pieces (Bias tape)
  • 1 5/8″ x 1 1/8″ x 2 pieces for tabs

Second lining fabric

  • 14 1/8″ x 10 3/4″ x 2 pieces

Fleece and SF 101 

  • 13 1/2″ x 9 7/8″  x 2 pieces of Fleece
  • 3 long thin pieces of fleece to be described in step 8
  • 3 1/8″ x 13 7/8″ x 2 pieces of SF101
How to Make a Padded Computer Case
Cut your fabrics

Step 2: Fuse your Fleece

Round the corners of the fleece using the pattern piece as a guide.  Fuse the fleece following the manufacturers instructions to the second lining pieces.  Once the fleece is fused place the first lining pieces beneath the fused pieces and round the corners while keeping the seam allowance.  You should have four lining pieces two with fleece and two without that are two different colors.  

Fuse the fleece
Round the corners of the lining pieces

Step 2: Add the zipper tabs to the first zipper

Take the 14 1/8″ x 3 1/2″, the 14 1/8″ x 7 1/2″ outer pieces and corresponding lining pieces as well as the 13″ zipper and the zipper tabs and place them on your work surface.  Sandwich the zipper between the zipper tabs so that they are right sides together with the outer tab on top.  Do this on both ends.  Stitch the zipper tabs to the zipper using a 3/8″ seam allowance.  Open the tabs and press.  

Add the tabs
Finished Tabs

Step 2: Add the First zipper to your computer case

Place the 14 1/8″ x 3 1/2″ lining piece right sides up on your work surface.  Place the zipper with the zipper tabs right sides up on the lining piece and the corresponding outer piece right sides down on the zipper so that you have a zipper sandwich and pin or clip using wonder clips.  Stitch the zipper using a zipper foot. Next place the  14 1/8″ x 7 1/2″ lining piece right sides up on your work surface and the other side of the zipper right sides up on the lining piece.  Then place the 14 1/8″ x 7 1/2″ outer piece right sides down and stitch.  Press the outer and lining pieces.  Top stitch both sides of the zipper.  

Add the first zipper
Add second part of first zipper
Finished first zipper

Step 3: Add The zipper piece to the Fleece Piece

Lay the zipper piece you just created on top of the fleece lining piece you created earlier so that the right side of the lining piece is facing the wrong side of the zipper piece.  Round the curves of the zipper piece and clip off any excess zipper tab.  Zig zag stitch all the way around the pieces to attach.  

Add the second lining

Step 4: Add the Bias Binding to your computer case

Take the 14 1/8″ x 3 3/8″ and 14 1/8″ x 7 1/2″ outer and lining pieces and lay them on your work surface along with your binding pieces.  Start with the 14 1/8″ x 3 3/8″ piece and place the outer and lining pieces wrong sides together.  From the lining side attach the binding strip to the lining right sides together.  Stitch through all layers using a 3/8″ seam allowance.  Turn the binding to the right side.  Fold the long raw edge and press so that it covers the stitching.  Stitch along the folded edge.  Repeat for the 14 1/8″ x 7 1/2″ piece.  

Add the binding
Finished Binding

Step 5: Add The Binding pieces to the Fleece Piece

Add the two binding pieces to the other fleece lining piece and clip the curves.  Find the center of the piece and stitch a line all the way down the center.  Round the corners.  Zig zag stitch all the way around the raw edges to secure.  

Add the lining to the binding piece

Step 6: Create the handles to your computer case

Take the 3 1/8″ x 13 7/8″ pieces and fuse the SF101 interfacing to each piece following the manufacturers instructions.  Fold the long raw edges to the center and press.  Fold in half and press again.  Top stitch along both sides of each strap.  

Fuse the SF101
Finished handles

Step 7: Add the handles

Find the center of the fleece pieces and measure 2 1/4″ to each side and mark.  Measure in from the handle ends 1 5/8″ and mark.  Place the handles where the 2 1/4″ and 1 5/8″ mark intersect and pin.  Do this for all four ends.  Zig zag stitch the handles in place. 

Add the handles

Step 8: Add the second zipper

If you are using a continuous zipper add two opposing zipper sliders to a 19 1/4″ zipper.  If you are using a standard zipper shorten your zipper from 20″ to 19 1/4″ by clipping off both ends.  Make sure the slider is in the middle.  Take the 26 1/2″ x 2″ outer piece and lining piece along with the 19 1/4″ x 1 1/8″ outer and lining pieces and fuse fleece to the outer pieces that equal the size of the pieces minus the 3/8″ seam allowance.  Using the 19 1/4″ x 1 1/8″ outer and lining pieces attach the zipper in the same way you attached the first zipper.  You will end up with the zipper between two long pieces of outer and lining fabric as shown.  

Add the second zipper
Finished second zipper

Step 8: Add the second zipper placket to the GUSSET

Add the second zipper placket to the 26 1/2″ x 2″ outer and lining pieces.  To do this, sandwich the placket between the lining and the outer piece so that the placket is between the two fabrics and the fabrics are right sides together.  Match the short raw ends.  Stitch the ends using a 3/8″ seam allowance.  Turn right sides out and top stitch along the seam.  Zig Zag stitch all around one side of the piece.  Matching the seams mark the centers at either end.  Turn the band so that the centers match and mark the new centers.  You should have four marks.  

Add the placket
Finished zipper and placket

Step 9: Add the second zipper placket to the body

Take the body piece with the zipper and find the center of all four sides and mark them.  Repeat for the other body piece.  Place the placket to the body piece with the binding matching the marks. Clip the placket to the body piece making sure that the zipper is at the top.  Stitch along the bottom of the placket using a 3/8″ seam allowance.  Clip the curves and continue to clip the placket to the body.  Stitch around the rest of the bag. 

Add placket to binding side
Stitch the bottom
Clip the placket
Finished placket

Step 10: Add the lining piece

Add the 14 1/8″ x 7 1/2″ lining piece to the top of the body piece matching the raw edges.  Stitch around the body leaving the bottom open for turning.  Trim the seams but not the excess handle pieces.  Turn right sides out.  Turn the raw edge under and stitch using ladder stitch.  

Add the first lining piece
Finished first lining

Step 11: Add the other body piece

With right sides together place the second body piece on top of the first matching the marks and raw edges. Clip.  Stitch the bottom.  Clip the curves and clip.  Stitch the remainder of the body.

Add the zipper side

Step 12: Add the lining piece

Add the final lining piece.  Place the lining piece on top of the lining in the bag matching the raw edges and the marks.  Clip the lining to the bag.  Stitch all the way around leaving an opening in the bottom for turning. Trim the seams leaving the excess strap handles.  Turn right sides out.  Turn under the raw edge and stitch using ladder stitch.  Turn right sides out and you have now finished your padded laptop case.    

Add the second lining piece
Finished computer case

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How to Make a Padded Laptop Case

 

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