FREE Quilting Patterns, Tutorials, Magazine

Choosing a fastening device for the quilted laptop sleeve, 5 options

Choosing a fastening device for the quilted laptop sleeve, 5 options

by Jennifer Houlden

I had so much fun this week creating my awesome quilted laptop sleeve and yesterday I completed the applique stitching and conquered metallic thread! It’s a great feeling to start and finish a project in the same week. If you’re like me, the last thing I need is another UFO.

I wasn’t sure how to close the end of the sleeve but after doing some research there are several options to choose from. Choosing a fastening device for the quilted laptop sleeve is my goal today. There are a few options to choose from.

Array of fastening devices

Array of fastening devices

Option 1 Zipper. A very secure way to close the sleeve and ensure the laptop or tablet doesn’t slide out accidentally. I’m not the best ‘zipper putter inner’ and have probably done less than a dozen in my lifetime. I’ll do it if I have to but…

Option 2 Buttons. There are so many awesome buttons from plain to novelty but they do require buttonholes to be made. I’m not a buttonhole connoisseur so I think I’ll move onto the next option.

Option 3 Snaps. I think these I can do – snaps just require needle and thread to be attached – easy peasy.

Option 4 Velcro. The answer to all your closure needs. Just remember to get the sew-in Velcro rather than the sticky Velcro – you can’t sew the sticky type down – trust me I tried.

Option 5 Snap Tape. A friend suggested snap tape and seeing how I have never used it before I set out to my LQS to acquire some to use in my laptop sleeve.

Adding the snap tape

To finish off the top edge of the sleeve and have something to attach the snap tape to, I cut 2 pieces of fabric 2½″ in width x 12″. A bit longer than the width of the sleeve but they can be trimmed.

After pressing the fabric strips in half with wrong sides together I pinned the snap tape to the center of the fabric.

I used my zipper foot to stitch in place otherwise the snaps got in the way of my other feet which would cause me to break a needle I’m sure. With the zipper foot I could run along the snaps and move the needle where stitching was needed with no worry about breaking a needle.

Once in place I pinned the strips to the outside of the top edge of the sleeve pieces.

Fabric strip with snap tape pinned to top edge of sleeve

Fabric strip with snap tape pinned to top edge of sleeve

And then I used my seam ripper and removed them as I had put them on the wrong way. The snaps need to be facing the piece so that when the fabric is flipped over to the inside the snaps are facing out. Once sewn in place then press the fabric piece to the inside. Use steam for a nice crisp seam.

Fabric strip pinned with snap tape facing sleeve

Fabric strip pinned with snap tape facing sleeve

After trimming of the excess fabric I stitched the two sleeve pieces together and did a zigzag stitch along the seam allowance edges so they wouldn’t fray. A Surger or Overlocker would work well for this step if you have one.

Raw edges of the seam secured with a zigzag stitch

Raw edges of the seam secured with a zigzag stitch

The laptop fits like a glove in the sleeve.

Quilted laptop sleeve completed

Quilted laptop sleeve completed

Now to make one for my tablet and Kindle as well as a ditty bag for all the chargers. Then of course my husband will want one or two I’m sure. Choosing a fastening device for the quilted laptop sleeve turned out to be quite easy and with 4 fasteners left I can make at least 4 more projects.

This is part 5 of 5 in this series.
Go back to part 4: 4 essential tips for success with metallic thread

[shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”23735596″]

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.