
We're happy to bring you the second Kona Club Challenge tutorial!
The Kona Club Challenge is a little something we started here at Sew Sisters. Since we send delicious Kona Solids each month to our Kona Club members, we thought it would be fun to share tutorials for projects using those solids.
We approached quilting bloggers from the wonderful blogging universe and "challenged" them to design and create a project and a tutorial using four fat quarters from the Kona Solids we have sent out each month on Kona Club.
Today we are excited to have M-R Charbonneau from Quilt Matters bring you a great tutorial for an Improv-Pieced Laptop Case Tutorial.
Laptop Case Tutorial
Welcome to the next tutorial in the Kona Club Challenge series. I’m M-R Charbonneau and I blog at Quilt Matters. I’m based in Ottawa and have been quilting for about 15 years now. I love experimenting and trying new things – modern quilting, art quilting, surface design, etc. I hope you come visit me on my blog and check out my other tutorials.
This laptop case tutorial is based on my
laptop, which is 14.5” long by 9.5” wide by 1” tall. If your laptop is
significantly different in size, you may want to adjust the measurements you’ll
find below. I've indicated several spots where you might want to adjust the
sizes for your own computer. Please read
through all of the instructions before making this case. Also, I've used a ¼” seam allowance throughout
unless otherwise indicated.
Materials Needed
- 5 Fat Quarters of Kona Cotton Solids (I used Kona Cotton - Black, Kona Cotton - Charcoal, Kona Cotton - Coal, Kona Cotton - Iron and Kona Cotton - Snow)
- 22” by 20” Batting
- Adhesive-backed Velcro tabs (I used Unique Self-Gripping Fasteners)
- Thread (I used a charcoal grey and black)
Cutting Directions
1. From Kona - Charcoal, cut:
- 12” by the length of the fat quarter (LOF) (22-23”) for the outer laptop case top.
- 4” by the LOF (22-23”) for the outer laptop case top.
- Save the scraps for the outer laptop case top.
- 3.5" by 11" for the inside flap.
- 4 uneven strips 1.5" - 2.5" wide by the LOF (22 - 23") for the outer laptop case top.
- 2 – 3” by the LOF (22-23”) for the outer laptop case top
- 4 uneven strips 1.5”-2.5” wide by the LOF (22-23”) for the outer laptop case top.
- 4 uneven strips 1.5”-2.5” wide by the LOF (22-23”) for the outer laptop case top.
- 15” by the LOF (22-23”) for the lining.
- Save the scraps for the outer laptop case top.
Making the Outer Laptop Case
1. Arrange the Coal, Iron and Snow
uneven strips in pleasingly random order in sets of 3 so that both edges are
about even.
2. Sew each set together and iron
towards the darker fabric.
3. Cut each set into 5” widths. Cut
the scraps of charcoal and black into 5” widths by 1.5”- 2.5” uneven strips.
4. Intersperse the scraps of
charcoal and black in with the already sewn sets.
5. Sew enough sets and scraps into
a 5” by 22.5” strip. This is your feature scrap set.
6. Iron the 3” strips of Iron into
thirds length-wise.
7. Line the right fold of one of
the Iron strips along the left edge of the scrap set. Open up the fold so that
the Iron strip is overlapping the scrap set one inch. This fold technique is
one I learned from Alyssa at Pile O’Fabric
– check out her great tutorial
for more help if you need it.
8. With your rotary cutter, carefully cut a gentle curve along the overlapped section, cutting the Iron fabric and the scrap set underneath. Do not cut past the fold or past the edge of the Iron fabric.
9. Carefully remove the extra
piece of Iron fabric and the opposite scrap set piece so that the Iron fabric
and the scrap set curves match.
11. Slowly sew from the pin, gently bringing the edges of the Iron
fabric and the scrap set together as it gets to the presser foot. It will look
and feel wonky while you are sewing it.
13. Line the left fold of the Iron strip to the right edge of the 4” by
LOF Charcoal fabric. Open up the fold so that the Iron strip is overlapping the
Charcoal strip by one inch. Repeat steps 8-12 for this side and iron flat.
14. Depending on how wide you want your scrap set column, you may want
to trim it before adding the other Iron strip. I ended up trimming 1.5” inches
off the scrap set for my case. If you have a laptop that is longer than 14.5”,
then you’d probably want to leave the scrap set as is. If you have a laptop
that is smaller than 14.5”, then you’d probably want to trim off 2” or more.
15. Take the second 3” by LOF Iron strip and repeat the cutting and
sewing directions for the right edge of the scrap set, attaching it to the 12”
by LOF Charcoal fabric. This is your laptop case top.
16. Lay the laptop case top on the batting. Baste and quilt as desired.
I echoed the improv curves of the Iron strips and did a perpendicular improv
curve on the bigger charcoal side. Then I just echoed the improv curve stitch
line using my walking foot as a guide.
18. Fold the squared up quilt top along the 22” side, right sides
together. Check that this fits around the width of your computer, taking into
account the height of your computer. This 22” worked perfectly for my computer
so I didn't need to trim.
19. Sew along the short side closest to the improv-pieced strip and
along the long side, making the sleeve. Clip the corners.
20. Turn the case right side out and insert the computer to make sure it fits. Make a mark ¼” from the edge of the laptop.
20. Turn the case right side out and insert the computer to make sure it fits. Make a mark ¼” from the edge of the laptop.
21. Remove the laptop and cut the case using the mark as the guide. Save
the extra quilted fabric for the laptop case flap.
Making the Lining
1. Trim your 15” by LOF black
fabric to same size as your laptop case top. I needed 15” by 22”. Fold along the
22” side.
2. Sew along the open 15” side and part way across one of the 11” sides. Leave a space the width of your hand to turn out the case and sew the rest of the short side. Clip the corners.
Making the Flap
1. Take the excess quilted fabric
from your outer layer and cut it to 3.5” by 11”. If you do not have enough,
take some of the remaining wonky scraps, sew them together to make a 3.5” by 11”
piece of fabric. Layer with batting and quilt it (no backing). Note: If your laptop is more than 1”
high, make your flap 4” or wider. If your laptop is significantly larger or
smaller than mine, adjust the 11” length of the flap to be the same width of
your laptop case, plus ½” for seam allowances.
2. Fold the outer quilted flap in half on the 11” side. Use a plate or something circular to mark a curve in the outer corners of the flap. Mark and cut.
3. Lay the quilted top tab on the 3.5” by 11” piece of Coal fabric and trace. Cut along the line.
4. Fold the Coal flap piece with the rounded edges together and iron a crease to mark the middle of the flap.
5. Unfold and place the loop side of the Velcro 1” from the top of the rounded edge of the flap. Add one to each side. Sew down. Tip: My machine did not like the adhesive on the Velcro so I ended up hand stitching the Velcro.
6. Put the Coal piece and the quilted charcoal piece right sides together and sew along the rounded edge. Notch along the curved edge.
7. Turn the flap right side out. Iron and topstitch around the curved edge.
2. Fold the outer quilted flap in half on the 11” side. Use a plate or something circular to mark a curve in the outer corners of the flap. Mark and cut.
4. Fold the Coal flap piece with the rounded edges together and iron a crease to mark the middle of the flap.
6. Put the Coal piece and the quilted charcoal piece right sides together and sew along the rounded edge. Notch along the curved edge.
Assembling the Case
You are in the home stretch!1. Pin the outside of the flap (charcoal side) against the back of the laptop case and sew 1/8” in to secure it to the outer case.
2. Insert the outer layer into the lining, right sides together and pin every 2” or so to secure it well.
3. Sew ¼” around the open edge.
4. Pull the top of the laptop case out through the hole in the lining and turn out the corners of the lining. Iron the open edge under. Top stitch the opening closed.
6. Put your laptop in the case. Place the hook side of the Velcro on the loop on the flap. Close the flap onto the case, letting the adhesive of the Velcro adhere to the case.
7. Carefully open the flap separating the Velcro sides so the hook side stays secure on the top of the case.
8. Hand sew the hook tabs to the case.
Insert your
laptop and admire your handiwork!
Giveaway!
You could win 4 fat quarters of the Kona Cotton Solids M-R used to make her Laptop Case!
Just leave a comment on this post for a chance to win.
If you are no-reply blogger please leave your email id in the post.
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M-R chose the colors we sent out in October last year to our Kona Club members. |
We will leave the giveaway open till Tuesday April 16th, 2013. Winner will be announced Wednesday, April 17th. Good luck everybody and enjoy making your very own Improv Pieced Laptop Case!

88 comments:
Love this project! Thanks for the tutorial & for the chance to win.
Love the wavy piecing and the case! Thanks for the tutorial!
Great case M-R! I really want to try this improv curvy stripe.
I love this! Of course, anything by M-R is great. :)
Great project. Can't wait to give it a try.
great tutorial M-R! thanks for the giveaway! these are some of my fav Kona colors :)
Love the use of multiple grays! I would be so tempted to add a pop of color, but I think you were so right to stick with the grays! Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win!
What a great giveaway project! I would love to try that :)
What a great case...can't wait to make one myself, and I love grays...what a perfect combo.
This would make a great case for a guy! Thank you for the tutorial and for the chance to win.
Thanks for the chance to win! :)
Great tutorial M-R! Definitely gonna bookmark this for future use. Thanks for the opportunity!
Great project. My hubbie stole the one I made for my laptop, so I might now make myself a lovely new one! :)
HELLO! REALLY LIKE THIS PROJECT!
THANKS FOR SAVING!
msstitcher1948@yahoo.com
Great tutorial - thanks for the great pictures to go with it!! Konas are the best !
looks great - I think I will try to make one for my iPad mini
I love solids! Thanks
I love this project. I love solids so this will be right up my alley lol.
Thanks for this great tutorial M-R! I will make one for my laptop for sure!
I love this colours, and like the give-away
That's fantastic! Thank you for the really detailed instructions and photos - what a lot of work you put into this tutorial. Very much appreciated.
Cute project with great tutorial. Thanks for the chance to win.
Wonderful result. Definitely making this even if I don't win the fat quarters.
What a great project - Thank you!
Great tutorial and love the fabric combination, would love to try the tutorial if I win!
I am loving all the great projects that use solids. I would love to win these Kona solids to use in my next project. Thank you for the chance to win
Love these colors! Thanks for the chance to win!
Love this tutorial!!! I will making this for my laptop!!! Thank you for the opportunity to win!!
I love M-R's work! great tutorial and giveaway!
Great tutorial for a really cute laptop case. I love Kona Cotton.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
i really like the combo of the straight lines and the gentle curves... this might just inspire me to try it!
Great detailed directions! And love the colors. My mom has been searching for a tablet case without a zipper -- this looks perfect.
Love this case and great tutorial! Thanks for the sweet giveaway :)
What an adorable laptop case tutorial. Love the choice of gray, too!
Lovely laptop cover, that's a fun project! Guess the improv piecing is worth a try.
Thanks for the chance!
Oh my, I can't wait to make this case! Thanks.
What a great tutorial! I love the colours. I joined the Kona club in November so just missed receiving this great selection.
i love Kona grey colors. great to use on any project.
Love the design for this case. Great job. Thanks for the chance to win.
Quite a nice tutorial. I truly appreciate the great photos that go along with blog-published tutorials. A picture is worth a thousand words.
great case. thanks for the chance to win.
Just recently join the Kona Club and look forward to trying this tutorial. Love those colours.
What an awesome tutorial! Thanks for the chance to win.. Kona is a favorite of mine!!
what a great tutorial...thank you so much for it & the chance to win!!
Such a great tutorial and I love those colors. Love, love, love Kona solids - my go to solids every time. Thanks for a chance to win!!!
Ooh I've been looking for something like this! Thanks for the tut and giveaway!
I'd love to make that! Thanks for the great giveaway! :)
What a great case and a super detailed tutorial, M-R! Love it!
I can't wait to make this. Thanks!
Fantastic tutorial - love all the great itty bitty details! Thanks for sharing.
M-R! Surprised to see you over here but not surprised by the great tutorial. Lovely bag!
Very cool laptop case! Thanks for the tutorial.
Awesome colour set! Thanks for a chance to win.
That's such a clever method!! I'm scared of curves, but this sounds foolproof! Thanks :)
I love the modern looking laptop case! Thanks for the tutorial and the giveaway opportunity!
This is just awesome. I LOVE it! I have been searching for the perfect pattern to use to make my husband a tablet case and have not found anything. Now I have. This just looks perfect for him. I am not sure I'll be able to figure out how to reduce measurements though because I'm not that good at that type of thing. I'll see what happens but I do hope I can figure it out. Thank you so much
What a great project! Thanks for the tutorial! :)
very elegant tote case! love this kona color como!
I love M-R and I love this laptop case! Thanks for teaching me a new technique, too!
Great project. I would love the stuff to make it!
Great project. I would love the stuff to make it!
Thanks for the great tutorial and a chance to win!
My stash is lacking solids. Thanks very much for the chance to win some, as well as for the detailed tutorial.
Great tute! Thanks!
Perfect basic colours
Great project with versatile colours! Thanks!!
Great idea. Thanks for the chance to win.
I have never sewn with solids. Would love to give it a try!
Love this case. Looks very professional in gray and black.
I don't have a single solid gray in my stash, would so love to win!
A fantastic tutorial - thanks!
Nicely done!
Great! I'd love any KONA fabrics!
This is such a handsome project. Many of the projects I see are cutesy..this one is just modern and cool :-) Love Konas, and would love to win!
Great tutorial M-R! Thanks for sharing with us.
Love the wavy piece, and the great tutorial. Thank-You.
Love the wavy piece, and the great tutorial. Thank-You.
I love Sew Sisters and Kona cottons!
Love the case and the night time colours. Thanks Ladies.
Lovely project. The curved strip really adds something to the project. I don't know why, but the colours remind me of the TV show Beetle Juice I used to watch as a child.
Thanks for the tutorial and giveaway!
Take a bow for THAT tutorial!
A business-like laptop case using subdued solid colors yet with a naughty striped insert!
Anita E.
Great project! Love Kona! Thanks
I'm gonna try this as soon as I get free time! Yeah right I have 7 kids, what's free time?
I'm gonna try this as soon as I get free time! Yeah right I have 7 kids, what's free time?
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