Another New Bag

I have a laptop that I have made a fitted, heavily padded pouch, with a padded full flap that is secured with Velcro, that I use when I take my laptop outside the house, in a padded carry bag. I don't know of any quilted/padded bag that will allow a laptop to withstand being dropped. Therefore the rule is, " Don't Drop Your Laptop". For that I think you would have to have one of those aluminum/ foam cushion interior/ suitcase type of carrying units. There would be no guarantees with that, even. But, that is not a soft case, and presents it's own problems of ease of carrying, and what do you do with it when you have the laptop out of the case. What this will do is cushion it from random bumps and bruises that might come to it, like putting it down a bit harder than intended say on a table. We haven't decided on whether it needs or what kind of closure is wanted. She is going to use it as is, for written research data, and see how it goes. It is always easier to retrofit a closure system, than to take one off and leave evidence of it's former presence. The flap is heavy enough due to the thickness of the Cotton/ Drill backing, and the large overlap of the flap, to keep it in place with gravity, for the time being. Possibly a high wind situation might cause it to fly open, but what is inside the main compartment is encased enough to be safe from blowing away. I think that if it is used for the laptop, I would install closures, if for no other reason than for some security. I guess you could say, that it is still a work in progress, though, I believe it will remain in this profile, for a long time, unless she decides otherwise. That would be her call, as she stated she doesn't want any right now. That is about where it stands, or lays right now. John

In message , John writes

Very nice indeed. I could do with one of those when I go to my genealogy class. I have just found that my DH has 9th 10th 11th great grand fathers who were Sir's. One of whom was Sir William Crich. Hugs Shirley

Like I always say about genealogy. My wife has traced her ancestors all the way back to Adam & Eve. She also has traced mine back to "The Snake" John

John, very nice and just what my daughter wants. Do you have a pattern to share or do they come from ideas you have? Is it three layers? What did you use for the inner - i e batting?

Just one of my oddball creations. The lining is a heavy Cotton/Twill that is often known as Cavalry/Twill. The sort of fabric that mens kaki pants are made from. You could also use denim, like Jeans are made from. The batting is some very nice wool batting that I use for special projects. But, any batting that will give it a nice loft will work. The reason I use the wool is that it is a bit weightier, when the whole thing is assembled. The reason I use the weightier stiff is, that gives the bag more body than some of the lighter weight fabric. I have tried some of the thinner stuff and the bags feel flimsy. The big problem with the weightier stuff is that the seams are rather thick. You must use a #16 needle to assemble it and go slow over the seams that join the sides to the one piece front and back. I either grade the seams and fold them over into a french seam and then sew them down flat, or overcast the seam really finely, and leave it at that. More often I overcast the seam because if it isn't seen then who cares. I use doubled canvas for the strap, which I pad with the same batting to act as a cushion. It is sewn to the sides all the way down to the bottom and then criss-cross tacked at the top of the side where it leaves the bag. I make these for a specific person, so I only sew one side of the strap and then try it on the person to get the best length of strap, that they like, and then cut it and sew it in place. These are kind of tough to sew as when they are almost put together, they represent a significant amount of fabric to be handling and pushing through a machine. Just take your time and it will work, but it is a bit of a struggle on some of the seams. I overall quilt by stitch in the ditch. After that is done I attach the piece for the pockets across the front bottom. But first, make sure you bind the top of the pocket before you attach it to the front. A square quilting pattern of whatever type lends itself to this type of arrangement. Other types of patterns might come into conflict with the attachment, but if you don't care if it has the crazy quilt look then by all means go ahead and make it crazy. Octagons are probably a no-no because of the difficulty of attaching the pockets to the underlying pattern. I am working on one with a log cabin pattern right now, and it is for myself. I chose not to make a closure for it, but a button, toggle, or velcro or a magnetic sort of catch would work if you feel the necessity. I like the utility of this sort of bag. Computers, books, workout clothes. Anything you want. It is only restricted by the width of the side pieces. Good luck! John

Thank you John, I am going to try and make one. Will post pic when done.