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Thursday, April 1, 2010

Episode #5: Laptop Cover Tutorial & Giveaway

With my DS crawling, standing up and scaling the living room furniture now at 7 months old... my days of sitting at a computer for uninterrupted hours (or even one hour) are looooooong gone! I researched netbooks (a.k.a- subnotebooks, mini laptops) for almost a year before finally deciding on my new Acer Aspire One from JR Electronics when it was on sale for $299.99 and free shipping.  I love it! It's small, lightweight (only 2.76 lbs), and the battery lasts me about 8 hours! INSANE!

I love that I can sit on the floor, couch, or bed and get work in all the time.  It's pretty crazy that I'm admitting this....but I actually read emails, grade assignments, and blog while nursing. ::cheeks turning red:: But hey, I gotta get it in where I can.  

I can't really throw a netbook in my diaper bag backpack and expect it to come out in one piece. So, I wanted to make a separate quilted case with handles to tote my mini around in. Specifically for the days when my DH gets off work early and I can run to a coffee shop for some undisturbed time to prep my class lectures. 
I had fun making my new netbook cover and I'm glad I put this pretty batik fabric to good use. I made it wide enough to fit the charger so I make sure I don't leave the house without it..... hate it when your laptop dies and you left the charger at home..... ah, law school memories.

I think this is a great beginner project especially for any sewers who are thinking about dabbling into the quilting world but claim to have no "patience."  (p.s.- if you think all quilters are patient... meet me,  I'm Vanessa, I'm a quilter with very little patience. I used to have no patience at all and then I had a baby...)

For Episode #5 of the Crafty Gemini show I show you how to make your own quilted laptop cover. I walk you through all the measurements you need to take for a customized cover for any size laptop.  There is also an accompanying tutorial on making and attaching your own binding to any quilt.

Here's a little giveaway for those of you interested! Post a comment below and be entered to win your very own CUSTOM LAPTOP COVER!  One random winner will be announced on May 1, 2010.  That means you have the entire month of April to enter.  Tell your friends!



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31 comments:

  1. I love Crafty Gemini! Pick me for a free laptop cover :-) -Brooke

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  3. You make quilting seem so easy. Makes me want to tay to make a cover for myself. It would be nice to win one though.

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  4. Yo quiero ser como tu cuando yo sea grande!!! Pick me!

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  5. Vanessa,
    You did a fabulous job on these videos.
    Cheers,
    Michele

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  6. I can sooooo relate to what you said above about "I used to have no patience at all and then I had a baby" DITTO =)

    AWESOME videos...so easy to follow! Move over Martha Stewart, Vanessa is the REAL DEAL =)

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  7. Love watching your videos!! Great job!!

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  8. Impressive sight-great instructions & good examples of re-using old fabric & scraps. Appreciate the detailed instructions to customize the size desired. You do a good job & I appreciate the info on the sponsors, cuts down on search efforts. Thanks for the advice.
    Sarah

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  9. I just started sewing so I don't feel confident enough to try this project yet, but I'm definitely going to bookmark this and try it after a few more smaller projects! Very cool!!!

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  10. I am just getting started on my sewing journey but I've always fancied quilting as well. A laptop bag would be ideal as a forthcoming project. Thanks for posting such a cool tutorial.

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  11. Yippie... If I could win one it will save time for me to make some other great project. I am so happy I found your website, thanks for the tips

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  12. Excelente tutorial, Aunque No entienda tu idioma ... lo haces ver facil. Incluyeme en tu regalo GRACIAS POR Compartir.

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  13. Siempre te leo DESDE colchas blog, chico Pero Una de soja "seguidora" oficial.Gracias Por Compartir

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  14. I have looked at many tutorials on making a laptop cover and this is the easiest by far. I luv how you did the binding. Great Job! I'm gonna attempt to make one. I'll let you know how it turns out.

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  15. This is awesome! Thanks for the idea! I know how you feel about having no time for anything. My son just turned 2 and my daughter is 6 months. I stay up very late for me time hehe

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  16. Its a shame I missed out on seeing this in time for the giveaway but may just have a go at your tutorial, it looks great

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  17. I just found you, while surfing the web for this exact thing, laptop cover-case.
    I love it... thanks for sharing

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  18. Just stumbled on your blog while looking for iron cleaning tips.... then I found the next thing I was looking for..A laptop case. Needless to say, you rock and I will now be following you. Thanks so much for sharing so much.

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  19. Hey Vanessa, you're so creative! I love the detailed procedures in making a laptop bag presented on the videos above. Reading your blog made me remember a heart-melting film of Winona Ryder which is How to make an American Quilt. Hope you've seen that, if not try to watch it and I'm sure you can relate to it.
    To give you a head start about the story, it tells about the bittersweet memories that lies on ever patch of the quilt. The quilt that was made was not just about thread and fabric but rather memories of joy and sadness, it was actually about life.
    I was inspired by the movie that's why I make quilt now a day while staying joyfully here in Canada. Laptop deals now on my friend's store include quilt made covers for laptops and mobile phones. I love it whenever I see one on the street.

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  20. Thanks so much for your videos. I would love to know how you made and attached your handles.

    Thanks and have a blessed day!

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  21. Hi Vanessa I'm working on this now and was also wondering how to attach the handles. I kept looking where you showed this and nothing. Thanks

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  22. I didn't plan on those handles so I didn't get to include that part in the video. It was just a matter of laying the laptop case open with the backside facing up and playing around with the strap until I got it to be as long as I wanted and that it would be even when the laptop was inside and the flap closed. Sorry I don't have more instructions on it.

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  23. Did you sew the strap on?

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  24. Yes. I did. I sewed along the edge of the long sides.

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  26. I just stumbled upon your blog while googling ways to finish up the quilted laptop cover I'm making. After looking around at a couple of your posts, I will definitely be booking marking your blog! And it's so cool to find someone from my town too!

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    Replies

    1. Thanks for stopping by! I'm glad to help! :o)

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  30. Hi Vanessa,

    I'm new to quilting and have been watching a lot of your tutorials. I would like to say that your tutorial on bindings is one of the best I have ever seen. Thank you!

    Kris (also from Florida)

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Drop me a line.. I love to hear from you!

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