Tuesday, October 17, 2006

My Hi-Tech Tote



After several days of bits of sewing, I have finally finished my laptop tote, Hi-Tech Tote by Indygo Junction. It turned out better than I imagined and I am so very pleased with it. I am planning to make another one for a Christmas present. When I am constructing Hi-Tech Tote #2, I will make some changes. Here they are if anyone is considering making this one. Note: Blogger is not cooperating to load more than 2 pictures, I will edit sometime tomorrow. Drats, had all these plans for this post and my multitude of pictures.
  • Move the D rings on the side up, the bag isn't that steady on my shoulder, wants to wobble back and forth. My side looks like the picture but I think the D ring right below the zipper would be better. Here is a picture:

  • Consider the color of the zipper before buying the fabric. The pattern calls for a 22" sports zipper and an 18" sports zipper. These are limited colors so the zipper might be the determining factor in the fabric choice. Me? I had the fabric first, the navy looks fine, I think.
  • I did this change during construction. The pattern has you put the lining fabric wrong side up, then the 1/2" upholstery foam, then the outside fabric right side up. All unfinished edges are to be serged. Well, this not so nice looking serging shows from the inside. I decided to cut 1-1/2" strips of fabric. I sewed it down on one side of the serged seam, then wrapped it around the seam and hand stitched it down. Here is a picture of the serged seam and the wrapped seam:
  • For the bottom, I hand stitched the raw seams to the bottom of the bag. Then I measured the bottom of the bag, cut a piece of Timtex this size, covered it with a fabric piece. This was then stitched down to the bottom of the bag. Ta-da a much nicer inside of the bag.
  • I bought the required amounts of fabric as stated on the materials needed, there is very little left. I would have liked to make the padded wrap for the laptop but I will need to do some patchwork or order more fabric.
  • It is diffult sewing the upholstery foam "sandwich", Indygo Junction recommends using clothes pins to hold the "sandwich" together. I wonder about sewing 3 of the sides with the 1/2" SA, inserting the foam and then sewing the last seam. Sounds like it would work. I was using my dd's very basic Pfaff Smart machine and the needle position does not adjust. My Viking is in for cleaning and a few minor repairs, boy did I miss that adjustable needle position.

Now for the likes of this bag:

  • The zipper pocket (as seen in the first picture)
  • The divided side pocket
  • The attention to detail by Indygo Junction.
  • The padded sides, bottom, front and back. A very sturdy tote for your laptop.
  • The cute details: piping, the short handles and the general look of the bag.

This was a fun project that took some thought and time but was so very worth it.

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:59 AM

    Wow, wow, wow!! Very impressive :)
    Thanks for the tips on what you would do differently.

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  2. Anonymous7:49 AM

    Your bag looks fantastic - I had no idea that there was a pattern out there for a laptop bag! Thanks for all the suggestions too!

    If it's o.k. to ask, how much did it cost you to make this bag? Is it like the Amy Butler Weekender, where it costs more to make it (in materials) than what you can purchase it? I may have to try this out!

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  3. Love it, Lori! It looks fabulous.

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  4. Nice tech tote! Love the colors of the fabric.

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