Laptop Design

[blueheelenvet]

Hello All

I'm in the process of dreaming about building a laptop case for my 17" computer. I have never built a briefcase or messenger bag and I'm not sure where to start on how to design it. I figured I would have a spot for the computer in soft shell and divider for another spot for small notepads or papers. I was also considering putting on additional pockets but the main issue I have is drawing my patterns so the computer will fit. Can anybody out there lend me some patterns I can modify or give me advice on how to draw my own in order to account for thickness and such.

Thanks in advance and have a good weekend.

CW

[DoubleC]

Hi CW. I built a messenger bag a while back http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?app=galleryℑ=17299 I had no experience in this either. I used a priority mail box, seriously to draw the lines on the leather and get the shape right. I guess I'm kinda a 'try it and see if it works' instead of pattern person. I used chrome tanned on the outside and the inside on both the gusset and the bag is an embossed veg tanned for stability so it's not too floppy. I also used the veg tanned as pockets for folders, etc. I really beat mine up, take it every where, over load it with stuff and it's holding up well. You can see I left my flap the way it came from the supplier.

I cut the front panel using the rectangular large priority mail box as a pattern. This would work well for you too. Then I cut the back even to the priority mail box and left it longer and used the excess for the flap. I cut two pieces of veg tanned the size of the box and also a smaller rectangular piece I put under the flap to reinforce where the suitcase handle is. I cut a 4" gusset out of pig for the outside and the same veg for the inside. I glued all the edges together, veg to pig, veg to chrome and started sewing the gusset on. I had to make some modifications as I went along but since it was for me I didn't mind.

You could do the same with any kind of leather. If you're going to use all veg tanned use maybe 6 oz for the main body and then 3-4 oz for the pockets inside. Also if you want an outside pocket be sure and cut that and sew it on the back or gusset, where some people put them, before you construct the bag. If you're putting it on the gusset, you can start sewing the gusset to either the front or back and then still have room to line it up and sew the pocket on the gusset before the bag gets difficult to work with. If you want a flap on the pocket this is the time to sew it too. The bag will be the back of your pocket of course.

I put a sliding foam filled shoulder protector on mine. If you want that just make sure you make it up before attaching the second side of the strap.

This is probably more information than you wanted, LOL but the main thing is to work it out on paper first so you don't forget any steps and have to undo anything. After you list every thing you need to have to do it, make sketches of the finished project so you can remember where you wanted what! I hope this helped. Cheryl

[blueheelenvet]

DoubleC,

Thanks! That is what I was looking for. My initial plan was to draw everything out and then go at it. I'm not really sure what kind of spacing will be required for "leather thickness" but I guess this is something I need to play with. Once again thanks for the info, it is very helpful.

[WScott]

Made one for my wife's humongous Dell. I have some pics and notes about the construction in gallery here:

[kwelna]

I will try and get a picture of the one I made for my daugher (sort of), Lessons learned, remember that a lap top has a thickness not just height and width. So does the leather.....I forgot this when I made my first messenger bag and while it worked on paper, it was too tight for my lap top but worked great for my daughers Mac Book Air.........guess who got the bag....I would strongly suggest you get some heavy constructtion paper and glue up a model before you cut and stitch your leather. Make sure it fits! then add an 1" to the gussets . It takes a goodly amount of leather to make a bag. Mistakes can be expensive unless you have a daughter that has a really thin lap top... :-)

[blueheelenvet]

Thanks everyone and sorry for the delay. Life got a little busy and forgot to check back in. WScott thanks for the images, it helps to see a good example. Kwelna, I don't have a daughter with a laptop so I guess I better not mess it up . I made a paper demo and the thing is huge. I'm a little worried that this bag will be way to big to be worth it. What does everyone think? Kwelna, what size of bag where you trying to make? Around 17"? If anyone out there has made a 17" computer bag please give me some advice. After my paper demo model, I'm a little worried. I'll try and post a pic of it so I can get feed back.

Thanks again.

[Sporq]

I haven't made a leather bag for a 17" laptop...yet, but I do have a satchel for my current 17" beast, and it's pretty big. If you want, I can take pics of it with a ruler or something to give you an idea. It's just a store bought fabric one from Eddie Bauer, but it's a nice bag, and can give you an idea of the scale you'll be looking at.

[zorrow]

Try To establish your dims from the inside out. First measure the item you are building for. Add about 1" for ease of in and out. Also allows for gusset curling in. I use 1/2" seam allowance for construction. After stiching I go around the sewn seams and trim both layers with a rotary cutter so everything looks nice. Then I finished the edges. For a large laptop mabe consider running the large dim vertical so the bag dosnt end up to wide. Since everything I build Is one off I don't draw templets. I sketch out freehand on graft paper then add all the measerments. Once I have final number I go to material and cut out. Hope this helps. Steve

[kwelna]

sorry, just found your question, mine was for a 15" lap top. What if you turn the lap top sideways the bag would be taller but not a wide........