Before I left for my trip to Washington D.C. last month, I bought myself a new laptop computer. I knew my husband would be working part of the time I was there, so I wanted to be able to as well. The problem was, I didn’t have a padded laptop bag the right size to carry it in.
I wanted something that would only hold the laptop and the charging cord, so it would stay small enough to slip inside my larger carry-on bag. Luckily, it was a problem I could solve.
This bag fits a laptop that measures 13" x 9 1/8" x 3 /4", which is called a 14" when you’re computer shopping. The bag itself finishes at 10" x 14 1/2".
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To make this bag you’ll need:
fabric for the outside
fabric for the lining
12" zipper
From the outer bag fabric cut:
(2) 11 1/2" x 15 3/4" bag body
(1) 8 1/2" x 15 3/4" outer pocket
(2) 1 1/4" x 3" zipper ends
(1) 7 1/2" x 10 1/2" pocket inside bag
(2) 3 1/2" x 13" handles
From the lining fabric:
(2) 11 1/2" x 15 3/4" bag lining
(1) 8 1/2" x 15 3/4" outer pocket lining
From Flex Foam:
(2) 11 1/2" x 15 3/4" bag body
(2) 1 1/2" x 13" handles
From fusible interfacing:
(1) 8 1/2" x 15 3/4" outer pocket
(2) 1 1/4" x 3" zip ends
(1) 7 1/2" x 10 1/2" pocket inside bag
Fuse the Flex Foam to the wrong side of the inner bag lining and the center of each of the handles.
Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the outer pocket, zipper ends, and pocket inside bag.
Lay zipper ends with right side facing down on each end of the 12" zipper. Stitch 1/4" seam across the ends. Press outward. Trim each end as needed so that the entire piece measures 15 3/4" long.
Lay the outer pocket right side up. Add the zipper, face down, with the upper edges even. Top with the outer pocket lining, right side down. Pin the edge well. Stitch 1/4" from the edge using a zipper foot.
Pull the lining up and fold it back behind the pocket. The zipper should be at the top. Press the seam. Top stitch near the edge of the seam, below the zipper.
Draw a line across one outer bag piece, using a removable pen, 2 3/4" from the top edge.
Pin the outer pocket upside down on the outer bag, with lining side facing you and upper edge of the pocket along the line you just drew. Stitch 1/4" from the line, toward the zipper.
Fold the pocket down over the bag. Press the seam down. The bottom edges should be even. Top stitch close to the upper seam, near the zipper. I forgot that step, so my zipper tries to curl a little when it’s open.
Fold the handles lengthwise with right sides together. Stitch 1 /4" from the long edge.
Turn the handles right side out. Press with the foam flat and the seam centered. Top stitch down both sides of each.
Pin the ends of the handles 4" from each side of the bag front and back. Stitch 1/8" from the edge to hold.
Pin the 16" zipper right side down on the upper edge of the outer bag that now has a pocket. Make sure the pin heads are to the outside. Don’t worry if the zipper overlaps the bag.
Pin the lining right side down over the top. Stitch 1/4" from the edge with a zipper foot.
Fold both the lining and outside away from the zipper and press the seam. Top stitch near the seam, flipping the handles up so they don’t get caught.
Fold the pocket for the inside of the bag lengthwise with right sides together. Stitch 1/4" from the edge, leaving 2" open at the bottom.
Clip the corners. Turn right side out and press, turning in the opening. Place the pocket on the remaining lining piece, centered side-to-side and 3" from the top edge. Stitch close to the sides and bottom.
Lay out the remaining outer bag, right side up. Pin the loose zipper edge right side down, even with the upper edge. Pin the bag lining right side down. Stitch 1/4" from the edge.
Open out the outer bag and lining. Press the seam and top stitch close to the zipper.
Unzip the zipper at least halfway. Pin the two lining pieces right sides together. Do the same with the outer pieces. Make sure the edges of all layers are even.
Stitch around 1/4" from the edge, leaving 5" open at the bottom of the lining.
Lightly clip the corners. Turn right side out through the opening. Stitch the opening closed by hand or machine. I usually just zigzag over the edges. Who’s looking in the bottom of your bag?
Stuff the lining into the bag and it’s ready to fill.
What I love about this bag is that I can put it into my larger bag for travel, but it’s also cute and sturdy enough to use on its own. I’m ready for my next trip!