Easy DIY Laptop Sleeve

Not long ago I bought a new laptop, and I want you to know that I have never dropped my laptop. Well, within 3 days of owning my new computer I dropped it and bent the corner just ever so slightly. I needed a protective sleeve! You know, we spend hundreds of dollars on our electronics and often times we don’t spend the money to protect them. Now, you can make your own Easy DIY Laptop Sleeve for not a lot of money but a lot of safety!

This Laptop case project is simple and functional! It can be customized to any tablet or laptop! It is completely customizable with fabrics and colors of your choice. You can use quilted cotton as I used in this tutorial or you can use cotton and felt. Pick your favorite colors or try something new (it’s so cost-effective that perhaps you’ll want to make a few). Let’s get started!

Supplies

• The fabric of your choice – I chose quilted cotton – it already has batting in it to protect your device and provide a little more structure to your sleeve)
• Thread
• Scissors
• Rotary cutter and mat
• Sewing Pins or clips
• Sewing Machine
• Iron and ironing board
• Sew-on Velcro
• Extra Wide double fold bias tape

Note on how much fabric you’ll want to purchase: You’ll need measurements of your computer or tablet to calculate how much fabric to buy. I ended up using around half of a yard.

Easy DIY Laptop Sleeve

To make your easy sew sleeve, you’ll need to measure your laptop or tablet that you wish to cover. Each device will vary in measurements, so this step is necessary. Be sure you have enough length, width, and height to fit all the way around your computer with a tad bit of extra room. Then add about an inch on each side for seam allowances.

Using a rotary cutter and mat makes it so much easier to cut fabric while measuring. Cut the width of your fabric according to your measurements. Wait to cut the length in just a moment! You’ll be there soon because this tutorial is pretty quick.

Lay your computer on top of the strip you just cut out. We will be creating an envelope-style pocket to insert your computer into. You’ll want your pocket section to come just above the edge of your computer – but also add about an inch to this length to allow for hemming. Don’t worry about the top flap at this time.

On the bottom edge of the fabric (which will become the top inside edge of the pocket), we need to hem the raw edge. Fold this edge down about 1/2″ and press well.

Then, fold it again and press well. Pin a few times to hold this in place.

In this easy sewing tutorial we are going to do a straight stitch across the folded edge you’ve created – very close to the edge of the fold.

Now, lay your computer on your fabric again to ensure the envelope flap comes up high enough. This will ensure that your DIY Laptop Sleeve is the correct size and the flap is long enough to hold your computer inside.

Next, we will need to attach the soft part of the Velcro. Cut two 1.5″ strips of sew-on Velcro and separate them. Set the rough sides aside, as you will need them in a moment.

Lay the Velcro onto the “right” side of the fabric underneath the hem you just made, right where you’d like the Velcro to attach to when the sleeve is finished. Pin once in the center.

Using your sewing machine, stitch these soft pieces down to the fabric to complete the next step in this easy DIY.

Once more, lay your computer on the fabric and fold up the hemmed edge which now has Velcro attached. Gently, slide your computer out and pin the fabric along each edge, leaving the top two inches or so unpinned. At this point, the fabric should be “wrong” sides together (this will create a French seam).

Before stitching these sides together, let’s work on the flap for a moment. First, we need to make sure it is the correct size. Fold the top fabric down over your pinned pocket and decide where you want the flap to reach. Mine goes between 1/3 and 1/2 the way down the pocket. Helpful tip: mark your desired spot with a pin, then line up your fabric on your cutting mat and cut where you marked! Trim off excess.

I liked the look of rounded edges for my flap. If you’d rather have square edges, skip this step. Find a rounded edge that is the appropriate size for your flap. I used one of my children’s drinking cups.

Trim the corners along the edge of your rounded surface.

Take a look at your bias tape. In this tutorial, the bias tape adds to the completed look of your finished project. There is one side that is not quite as wide as the other – this is the top edge of the tape and should be sewn on the “right” side of the fabric.

Unfold the bias tape once.

Then unfold the “narrower” side of the bias tape, exposing the inside of the crease.

Next in making your DIY laptop sleeve you need to line up the raw edge of the bias tape on this “narrower” side with the raw edge of your flap. You’ll want to go down into the envelope section just a bit to encase the end of the bias tape once it’s finished. Take caution when going around the rounded corners. Clip a few times to hold the bias tape in place.

Stitch directly on top of the exposed crease, removing clips as you go.

Fold the bias tape back over the raw edges.

Fold the bias tape again to where the wider side is now on the underside of the fabric. Finger press and clip to hold. On to the next step in this DIY laptop sleeve tutorial.

Stitch again on the narrower side of the bias tape, very close to the edge of the bias tape where it meets the fabric. This will close the tape together around the raw edges of the flap fabric.

Now, we will need to stitch up the sides you previously pinned. Remember, the fabric should be wrong sides together, right sides out. Sew along each side edge with just under 1/2″ seam allowance.

Carefully snip off the corners of the pocket fabric, but NOT your stitches!

Turn your pocket inside out, taking care to gently press out the corners. Using your iron, press the sides well.

Stitch along these same side edges now with 5/8″ seam allowance. This will encase the raw edges from your previous stitching.

Flip the pocket right sides out again. Be sure to push the corners out and press the edges well again.

Lastly, we will need to sew the last pieces of Velcro onto the flap. Put your computer into the envelope part. Fold the flap over the top of the computer.

Take note of where the Velcro is and where it’ll attach tot he top piece when it is finished.

Gently lift up the flap and try to position the rough part of one piece of Velcro where it is supposed to go. Pin once. Repeat for the opposite side of Velcro.

Sew the Velcro down to the flap.

Finally, you are done! Your laptop sleeve will now keep your laptop safe, all while being customized to your taste. Now, you can breathe easy because your laptop will be protected! And your finished product is not only fashionable but something you will enjoy using knowing that you made it yourself.

If you enjoyed this how to make a DIY Laptop Sleeve tutorial take a few seconds and pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make the laptop sleeve take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices others make.

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