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DIY: Laptop Sleeve from Leather Jacket
As you may recall from a previous project I posted, we still have the rest of the thrifted leather jacket leftover to something fantastic with! So with my Hubby's birthday quickly approaching, I decided to make him a homemade sleeve for his laptop computer. Sure you can buy one from the store - and I did scrounge up a tutorial for using some neoprene from an old wetsuit [and here, too!] (like I have many of those laying around!)...but I wanted to try a different material. Leather is cushioning and sleek - but if you prefer manmade leather or vinyl (or even fabric, corderuoy, or denim!) this project will work just as well. I was inspired by those wraparound manila envelopes - but you can always use a strip of material and velcro as a closure, or fashion a long strip with a parachute buckle around the entire laptop, or extend one side of the outer material and use it as a closure flap, or even add a couple inches to each end and use a zipper as closure, turning this sleeve into a simple zippered bag. The possibilities are endless!

Posted by carlyjcais from Portland, Oregon, United States • Published 27th June 2010 • See carlyjcais's 60 projects »

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Scott I. favorited Laptop Sleeve From Leather Jacket 30 Oct 02:06
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Step 1
Prep Your Parts

Place laptop on your sleeve material, right side up, front edge facing away from you. Trace around laptop on all sides, adding 1".
Step 2
Lift and rotate laptop up on its back edge towards you, then wrong side up on top of the material. (Front edge will be facing towards you.) Keep drawing 1" around all edges. (I know this sounds somewhat confusing, so I included the diagram above to show how the material was measured.)
Step 3
Cut the rectangle out of the material (cutting through both outer and lining if you are using a jacket), using leather shears. If you do not have a lining, place this rectangle on top of your lining material, trace around, and cut using fabric scissors.
Step 4
Cut a small piece of leather about 1" square.
Step 5
Unroll batting from package, and leave it doubled up as you flatten it out. Place rectangle of material on top of the batting. Cut a piece of batting the same size as the lining, then trim batting about 1/2" on the sides only.
Step 6
Time to Sew!

Fold material rectangle in half, and machine-stitch the edges together, using a needle for leather and upholstery thread. (Upholstery thread is not a must-have...but it is a lot stronger that regular cotton/poly mercenized, and is more suited to sewing leather and taking the stress of repeat usage. Also, f you have a walking foot or Teflon foot for your machine, it can help the leather from sticking.)
Step 7
Clip corners and turn right side out.
Step 8
Fold lining rectangle in half, and machine-stitch the edges together, using a needle for wovens and regular thread. This will make the lining into a "pouch." Do not turn right side out; the right side needs to remain on the inside.
Step 9
Wrap batting around the outside of the lining pouch. Fold upper edges of lining pouch down and overlap batting piece at top edges.
Step 10
(Trim batting top edges if they are too bulky or long.)
Step 11
Wrap batting around the outside of the lining pouch. Fold upper edges of lining pouch down and overlap batting piece at top edges. (Trim batting top edges if they are too bulky or long.)
Step 12
Machine-stitch the lining edges down over the batting, at about a 3/8" hem.
Step 13
Closing It Up

Sew button to the material pouch you made in Step 6), about 2" down from the top edge on the front of the pouch.
Step 14
Sew button to the material pouch you made in Step 6), about 2" down from the top edge on the front of the pouch.
Step 15
Slide the lining into the material pouch, and slip the laptop inside to check for sizing. On the back side of the material pouch, tape one end of the elastic cord to the center, about 2" down from the top edge.
Step 16
Wrap elastic cord around button, and bring the other end to the back, cutting it and gluing it down next to the other end. Make sure the cord is taut around the button and will keep the laptop from falling out.
Step 17
Trim the cord to meet the taped-down end.
Step 18
Re-tape cords down with the ends free. Place a dab of glue under the ends and press them into it.

Remove tape and glue the small square over the ends of the cords.
Step 19
Remove laptop and lining from the material pouch, and machine-sew the square over the elastic cord ends, first sewing a square around the edge, then an "X" shape in the center.
Step 20
Finishing

Spread glue on the inside of the outer pouch, close to the top edge. Turn down top edge about 3/8"; clamp until dry.
Step 21
Slip the lining back inside the outer pouch, pushing the corners all the way in.
Step 22
Stitch around upper edge of laptop sleeve to secure the lining to the outer material, using a needle for leather and upholstery thread.
Step 23
Et voila!

Finally, a homemade FUNCTIONAL accessory that my husband will actually use! (And it's unisex, so can be a great gift for a man or woman!)

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Comments

carlyjcais · Portland, Oregon, US · 61 projects 29th June 2010

@Jet H.: thanks! Do you have a link to that video you saw - I'd love to check it out!
Thanks for your comment-
xoxox
Carly

Jet H. · Haarlem, North Holland, NL · 108 projects 28th June 2010

awesome i saw this tute as a video on crafside and thought to bad i like the picts to see i have still problems to see and hear the explaination in english soooo i'm so glad with you!!!!
thank you very much!!!
it is well done and i liked the idea of recycling;-D

carlyjcais · Portland, Oregon, US · 61 projects 28th June 2010

Thank you @Lovette'sz-xoxo and @michelle G.!
xoxox
Carly