Store bought laptop sleeves tend to be plain or pricey, and a handmade one takes an afternoon or less. These 21 DIY laptop bags and sleeves cover every skill level. Beginners can start with a felt sleeve closed with Velcro, a slim sleeve bonded from felt and fleece or a no sew vinyl case laced with suede ribbon. Confident sewists can try a padded sleeve clutch, a quilted case with a zipper down the side, a tumbler patchwork bag or a crossbody bag with a removable strap. Upcyclers get a thrifted sweater tote with a belt for a handle and a sleeve cut from a wool sport coat. Measure the laptop first, since almost every pattern here sizes to fit.
1. DIY Messenger Bag
This roomy messenger bag was first sewn as a diaper bag, but its padded divider makes it a natural laptop bag or travel bag. The divider is two lining pieces with a 20 by 14 inch slab of foam or thick interfacing inside. Two front pockets close with magnetic snaps, both side gussets carry pockets and a lined flap with rounded corners snaps shut over everything. A 44 inch strap finishes it. It takes time, but none of the steps are hard, and the full cut list is included.
Get the full tutorial at Kojo Designs.
2. Easy Laptop Bag
This easy laptop bag is basically a very large zipper pouch with a strap, so it is a friendly first bag. Measure the laptop and cut the lining pieces about three inches wider and longer, with rounded corners. Fusible fleece on every piece gives it padding, and a shorter, hemmed front piece forms an outside pocket. The strap is two 3 by 36 inch strips, or swap in webbing for extra strength. One yard each of two coordinating fabrics covers it, and it works as a book bag too.
Get the full tutorial at Crazy Little Projects.
3. DIY Sweater Laptop Tote
A $4.50 thrifted sweater and a thrifted belt become a cozy tote sized exactly to a laptop. Measure the computer and add 2.5 inches to each side, then cut two pieces each of sweater, lining and craft fuse interfacing. Ironing the interfacing onto the sweater keeps the knit from stretching out. Sew with a half inch seam, then serge or zigzag the edges. Leave a 5 to 6 inch gap in the lining for turning, and stitch the belt on as the handle.
Get the full tutorial at It's Always Autumn.
4. DIY Laptop Sleeve Clutch
This padded laptop sleeve clutch is sized for a 15 inch MacBook Pro, and the pieces resize for other laptops. Quarter inch foam such as Soft and Stable gives it real structure, double fold bias tape binds the edges and a large sew on snap closes the curved flap. The main pieces are 16 by 12 inches. The flap pattern piece comes by email through a form on the post. A walking foot helps through the thick layers, and the full make takes about three and a half hours.
Get the full tutorial at The Polka Dot Chair.
5. Quilted Laptop Bag Tutorial
Tumbler shaped patchwork in pink and gray makes this quilted laptop bag. For a 13 by 9.25 inch laptop the pieced topper measures 28 by 11 inches, which takes 40 tumblers, ten from each of four prints. Cut 4 inch strips and flip the template with each cut to save fabric. Number every row so the layout stays in order, and turn a directional print after the halfway row so it reads right side up on both faces. Two 3 by 25 inch strips make the straps.
Get the full tutorial at The Yellow Birdhouse.
6. Padded Laptop Case
Sized for a 13 inch MacBook Pro, this padded laptop case uses half a yard each of exterior fabric, lining and Flex-Foam or Soft and Stable. A folded, interfaced pocket is pleated and basted onto the back, and the top corners of the back, lining and foam are clipped three inches in for an angled flap. Baste the lining to the foam from the center out so it stays taut. A magnetic snap closes the flap, and three KAM snaps finish the pocket.
Get the full tutorial at Love You Sew.
7. His and Hers Laptop Sleeve
Two felt laptop sleeves, one per style, each sew up in under an hour and suit a beginner. Both start with two felt pieces about two inches wider than the laptop and 26 inches long, fused together with fusible webbing. The colorful version adds angled white felt strips and a Velcro closure. The gray version uses a wide band of elastic across the front instead. Fold the felt about an inch shorter than the laptop and sew a 3/8 inch seam down each side.
Get the full tutorial at The Felted Fox.
8. Quilted Laptop Case
Think of this quilted laptop case as a pouch with the zipper running down one side, so the computer slides in easily. Two front pockets hold headphones, a charger and notes, and two handles are optional. Each main piece is the laptop size plus two inches, backed with fleece interfacing and quilted in lines an inch apart, diagonal on the pocket and horizontal on the body. For an 11.5 by 7.5 inch laptop a 22 inch zipper works. Serge or zigzag the edges.
Get the full tutorial at The Stitching Scientist.
9. 1 Hour DIY Laptop Sleeve Sewing Tutorial For Any Size Laptop
A simple formula sizes this one hour laptop sleeve to any computer. For the length, add the laptop’s length, its height and one inch. For the width, add its width, its height and one inch. Cut two pieces of printed cotton for the outside and two of fleece for a soft inside. A curved strap about two inches wide closes the sleeve with a snap, though Velcro or a button and buttonhole work too. It suits beginners and seasoned sewists.
Get the full tutorial at Hello Creative Family.
10. Laptop Tote Bag
This laptop tote is designed to carry a matching quilted laptop sleeve, with inside pockets sized for a phone and a small tablet. It fits a 13 inch MacBook Air or Pro, and the 16.5 by 18.5 inch pieces adjust for other sizes. Very firm interfacing in the bottom keeps the bag in shape when it is full. Boxed corners add depth, and store bought purse handles hang from metal rings set through four large grommets. The lining uses a slightly wider seam so it nests neatly.
Get the full tutorial at Just Crafty Enough.
11. Felt & Fleece Laptop Sleeve
Wool felt outside and soft fleece inside make a slim sleeve for a lightweight laptop. Both fabrics are thick, so fusible web bonds the layers and avoids bulky seams, and neither one frays. Two front pockets hold a phone, business cards, cables, a USB drive and earbuds. Work out the width with this formula: laptop width plus depth, plus two seam allowances, plus a little ease. Elastic is ideal for the strap, though a knit belt from an old cardigan works in a pinch.
Get the full tutorial at She's Got the Notion.
12. Easy Laptop Case Pattern
About 20 minutes and around $6 in materials make this modern case, compared with roughly $30 for a similar one online. Wool felt forms the outside, cotton lines it and an inside pocket is built into the front. Cut the front pieces two inches larger than the laptop, then add four more inches to the short side for the back so it folds over as a flap. Fleece interfacing is optional for extra padding. A three inch strip of Velcro closes it.
Get the full tutorial at The Stitching Scientist.
13. Back to School DIY Laptop Bag
This laptop bag works two ways: swivel hooks let the strap clip on for a crossbody bag or come off so the case slips into a backpack as a sleeve. Pre-quilted fabric, a double layer with batting already stitched in, gives it cushion, and 1.5 yards covers it. The pieces fit a 15.6 inch laptop at 11 by 17 inches. For another size, add 1.5 to 2 inches to the length and width. A zipper of 18 to 20 inches and two D rings finish it.
Get the full tutorial at The TipToe Fairy.
14. DIY Geometric Laptop Sleeve
Triangles of fabric in different colors are pieced into squares and sewn end to end to make the bold front of this geometric laptop sleeve. A thin cotton lining goes inside, and the outer sleeve and lining are pinned and stitched around the top opening before the lining tucks in and gets pressed. For the closure, punch a small hole 3.5 inches down from the center top and set a rivet and button stud. The summary links to the full instructions.
Get the full tutorial at Shelterness.
15. Slim Laptop Bag
This slim laptop bag carries the computer plus its power cord and a wireless mouse. It has a zippered top, a full lining with no raw edges and a pleated outside pocket that closes with a ten inch strip of Velcro. Craft Fuse interfacing and batting give it body. Size the main pieces as height plus one inch plus one inch plus thickness, and the same for the width. Swivel hooks and metal rings let a 34 inch strap ride crossbody.
Get the full tutorial at Best Fabric Store Blog.
16. Netbook Case Tutorial
This padded netbook case has two pockets: a padded main pocket for the computer and an unpadded front pocket for the power adapter. A Velcro flap closes it, and a webbing handle on the side makes it easy to grab. One 30 by 10.5 inch piece each of outer fabric, lining and cotton batting forms both the body and the flap. Right triangles trimmed off both ends of the flap add a pointed shape. Measure the computer first, since the sizes scale to any laptop.
Get the full tutorial at clearlytangled.
17. Soft Shell Laptop Bag
A laser cutter does the cutting, and the engraving if wanted, on this softshell laptop bag. Softshell or another synthetic fabric at least 800 by 400 mm works. The downloadable template fits a 14 inch laptop and can be scaled. Cut the outer piece, then turn it and laser mark the seam line. Test the material before engraving. Set an eyelet before closing the side seams, then thread a knotted elastic band through it as the closure. The sample was made on a Speedy 400.
Get the full tutorial at Trotec Laser GmbH.
18. Handmade Macbook Air Sleeve Case Tutorial
No sewing machine is needed for this MacBook Air sleeve. A piece of leather look vinyl, 34 by 32 cm, folds like an envelope with 13 cm left for the flap. Draw a guide line 1 cm in from each side, mark dots half a centimeter apart and punch a hole at each one. Lace soft suede ribbon through the holes, snug but not tight enough to pucker. Knot and glue the ends, then add a magnetic snap. A faux fur version suits winter.
Get the full tutorial at A Cup Of Sparkle.
19. 10 Minute Laptop Sleeve
Ten minutes and under $5 in felt make this laptop sleeve. Cut pieces about an inch and a half wider than the laptop, with a 3/4 inch margin on each side, and double them for extra cushion. Two more pieces, six to seven inches longer, form the back and the flap. Rounded corners are optional. Sew around the outside with the smallest seam possible, stitch across the middle through the two flap layers only, trim the edges clean and add Velcro to close it.
Get the full tutorial at Crazy Little Projects.
20. DIY Wool Sportcoat Repurposed Into Laptop Sleeve
The back of an old wool sport coat becomes a sleeve for a 13 by 9 inch laptop, lined in flannel. Cut two 15 by 11.5 inch pieces each of wool and flannel, plus two pieces of extra stiff interfacing. A decorative baseball stitch along the jacket’s center back seam holds the wool in place and adds detail. Wrap the wool over the interfacing, fold the lining edge under and stitch around all four sides. Join the pieces on three edges for a snug fit.
Get the full tutorial at Jaime Costiglio.
21. Easy DIY Laptop Case
No pattern is needed for this laptop sleeve, since the shape is a simple rectangle and the same steps fit any laptop, tablet or phone. White fleece lines the inside, a patterned fabric covers the outside, and a strip of patchwork textured leatherette plus a trim band add style. It is meant as a splash and scratch protector rather than a drop proof case, and it has no strap on purpose. It slips straight into a larger tote or carry on.
Get the full tutorial at Moms and Crafters.
