Quilted Laptop Case Tutorial

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts. suzyquilts.com

Are you left with extra scrap fabric from your last sewing project? A DIY quilted laptop case is just the project for you! This tutorial can be sized up or down to fit any size of laptop based on your measurements.

As a professional photographer, shooting takes up some of my time, but exponentially more time is spent sitting and editing photos on my laptop. So when I had some leftover fabric scraps that were just too pretty to throw into the waste bin, I knew that a quilted laptop case featuring a Shine quilt block was just the project to make! 

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts. suzyquilts.com #sewingdiy #quilting

Not only is this quilted laptop case super cute (you know I'll be getting compliments on it when I'm out editing at my favorite coffee shop), it's also super functional! The batting/interfacing provides a cushy layer of protection while the velcro closure makes this quilted laptop case fast to make. Now your laptop is stylish AND protected.

Quilted Laptop Case Supplies:

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts. suzyquilts.com #sewingdiy #quilting

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Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts. suzyquilts.com #sewingdiy #quilting
Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts. suzyquilts.com #sewingdiy #quilting

Step 1: Measure Your Laptop

First things first! Since this quilted laptop case tutorial can be customized for any computer, this step is vital to ensuring it fits perfectly! 

Using a ruler, measure the length (longest side), width, and height of your laptop.

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(I have a 15" Macbook Pro, and mine measured 14 1/8" x 9 3/4" x 5/8".)

Next, use these formulas to find out the dimensions of the main part of your laptop case:

(Laptop Length + 1) + (Laptop Height x 2) = Rectangle Width

((Laptop Width + 1/2) + (Laptop Height x 2)) x 2 = Rectangle Length

Rectangle Width - 1/2 = Flap Width

(Here's what the calculations for my laptop looked like:

(14 1/8" + 1)  + (5/8" x 2) = 16 3/8" (Rectangle Width)

((9 3/4" + 1/2) + (5/8" x 2)) x 2 = 23"  (Rectangle Length)

16 3/8 - 1/2 = 15 7/8" (Flap Width)

To put this in perspective, check out the photo below:

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts

Step 2: Cutting & Sewing the Long Strips

Next, it's time to cut your fabric! Refer to Pages 3 and 4 of the Shine Pattern for cutting instructions. This is very important: If your Rectangle Width is larger than 12 1/2", you will need to adjust the length of your fabric strips. Your long strips should measure at least 1/2" longer than your Rectangle Width. 

Instead of just building one block, use the long strips to build a block as long as the Rectangle Length. Trim your rectangle to the Rectangle Width and Length.

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts

Step 3: Sew the Laptop Case Flap

After you've finished sewing your large rectangle, it's time to sew the flap! The flap of the quilted laptop case will be made of the shorter strips from the Shine pattern. Sew the strips together as directed on Page 3 of the Shine pattern until you have a strip as long as the Flap Width. Trim to square it up.

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts

Step 4: Joining the Flap to the Case

Place the small strip RST with the short side of the large rectangle. Sew together using a 1/4" seam allowance. 

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts

Step 5: Adding the Padding

Now it's time to give our quilted laptop bag some cushioning! I used two layers of fusible interfacing, but you could certainly use regular batting as well. 

Lay your assembled rectangle and flap on top of your interfacing/batting, trace, and cut out the traced shape approximately 1/4" smaller than the fabric piece on all sides. This will help to reduce bulk in the seams when we sew it all together. Adhere the interfacing one layer at a time to the wrong side of the fabric.

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts

Step 6: Quilt!

Is it just me or is quilting always the best step? Quilt your laptop case however you wish - I opted for a simple stitch in the ditch between strips, but can you imagine how good a little hand quilting would look on this??

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts
Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts

Step 7: Cutting the Lining and Assembling

After you've quilted the exterior of the laptop case, it's time to work on the lining. 

Place your quilted exterior RST with your lining fabric. Trace and cut the lining to match the exterior piece. Then, pin them together RST and sew around the perimeter using a 1/4" seam allowance, making sure to leave a 7" gap at the bottom.

When you get to where the flap meets the rectangle, stay 1/4" away as shown in the photo below.

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts
Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts

Step 8: Turn, Press, and Topstitch

Next, turn your quilted laptop case right side out through the 7" gap left in the bottom of the rectangle. Push your seams and corners out, then press to flatten the seams using your iron. This will help everything to lay flat when topstitching and assembling the case.

After you've pressed everything, topstitch along the bottom seam with the 7" gap 1/8" from the edge, backstitching at the beginning and end. Also topstitch along the sides and top of the flap, backstitching at the beginning and end.

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts
Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts

Step 9: Pin and Sew the Laptop Case Sides

We're nearing the end! Fold the bottom of your quilted laptop case up so that the lining is RST. Match the bottom corners of the rectangle to the corners formed where the flap meets the rectangle and pin or clip in place. Then, sew along each side as close to the edge as possible while still catching the front and back of the case in the seam.

I shortened my stitch length to add some extra reinforcement and backstitched at the beginning and end to finish and end my seams.

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts

Step 10: Add the Velcro

Lastly, let's add some velcro to keep our flap closed. I opted to use the peel and stick velcro for fabric, which is really easy and handy to use. 

Stick two or three pieces of the hook side of the velcro to the underside of the flap. Then, press the coordinating loop side to each of the hook sides (the sticky side will be facing up) and fold the flap down, sticking the adhesive side to the main portion of the quilted laptop case.

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts
Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts
Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts

Whether you're working from home, the office, or on the go, this quilted laptop case tutorial will ensure you have the perfect blend of functional and fashion wherever you go! 

Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts. suzyquilts.com #sewingdiy #quilting

4 thoughts on “Quilted Laptop Case Tutorial

  1. Tori Brown says:

    Hey Lydia and Suzy, I noticed a typo in the calculations section of the blog post.

    In this equation:
    ((Laptop Height + 1/2) + (Laptop Height x 2)) x 2 = Rectangle Length

    The first time it says ‘Laptop Height + 1/2″” it should say ‘Laptop Width + 1/2″‘.

  2. Kayla says:

    Hello! A laptop case is a great idea! Wondering if any of your pillow patterns could be translated into this pattern tutorial? Looking at the Maypole or Reflections pillow patterns.

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