Bags, Uncategorized

Lilium Laptop Bag

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I haven’t released a new sewing pattern in over a month. Yes, I checked, because it felt more like 6. Clearly I should not sew anything else, lol. Anyway, I am very very excited to introduce you to the Lilium Laptop Bag PDF sewing pattern (also available on paper), now available in my pattern shop!

This pattern will allow you to make a laptop bag in two popular sizes. The small bag is perfect for a 13” MacBook Pro or similar sized notebook computer and the larger bag is great for most wide-screen laptops. The bag is padded with 1/2” foam on the front, back, and bottom, for maximum protection of your electronic device. There is also an exterior and interior zippered pocket. The interior is also separated with a divider, so you have room for both your laptop and charger. What a great way to carry your laptop around in style!

Of course, if you have no need of a laptop bag and just want to use this as a cute purse, it’s simple to omit the 1/2″ foam and make a regular bag!

The pdf pattern includes 18 pages of sewing instructions, complete with 38 step-by-step color photos.
Finished Size:    Small     13-1/2” x 10”
                           Large     17-1/2” x 11-1/2”
Supplies (the supplies needed in this list will make 1 bag, either the small or large bag)
1 yard of exterior fabric (allow extra for the large size bag for directional fabric)
1/2 yard for accents
1 yard of lining fabric
1 yard of fabric for divider pocket/lining pocket
1/2 yard of cheap fabric (will not be seen when bag is sewn together)
3 yards of Pellon® SF-101 Shape Flex® fusible woven interfacing (or lightweight fusible interfacing)
1/2 yard of By Annie’s Soft and Stable™, available at local quilt shops or on-line
(Soft and Stable is a 1/8” thick, foam sew-in interfacing; one of my testers also recommends automotive headliner fabric in place of the Soft and Stable; you can also substitute a needled fleece fusible interfacing for the Soft and Stable, such as Pellon #TP971F Thermolam Plus fusible interfacing)
1-1/2” metal rectangle and metal slider
3/4 yard of 1/2” foam (mine was 24” wide)
1/2” magnetic snap
Two 14” zippers (for small only)

Two 18” zippers (for large only)

 

Here’s a view of the inside of the small bag…there’s the 1/2″ foam on the sides (and bottom). I don’t have a small laptop, but you can see I staged the small laptop with the white box. There is the zippered divider pocket in the center of the lining, which is actually sewn into the lining fabric. I have my laptop charger on the other side of the divider, and that is followed by the handy pockets, which can hold smaller items like a cell phone, wallet, etc.

 

For the small version of the bag, I used ‘microMod’ fabric by Rob Bancroft/Green Bee Design for Cloud 9 Fabrics. The large version of the bag is Moda ‘Bella’ solid for the exterior. As always, I used Aurifil 40 wt thread to put the bags together.

 

I originally designed this bag for my friend Lisa, who wanted a laptop bag. In case you didn’t know, Lisa longarmed the Best in Show and also the Viewer’s Choice winning quilts at this year’s QuiltCon. I sent Lisa one yard of solid fabric, and she longarmed it to a piece of Soft and Stable. Lisa is one of the most genius people that I know. Everyone on Instagram was crying when they found out I was going to cut her masterpiece up.

Lisa and me. Lisa taught some longarming classes at the Quilt Expo in Chicago in April 2013.

 

Lisa chose her lining fabrics…these are ‘Asbury’ by Thomas Knauer. There’s the lovely zippered pocket on the back of the bag, shown below. My friend Kim calls this the ‘Tiffany Bag’. lol.

 

As you can see, quite comfortable to carry, and there is an optional padded strap, because I know that laptops can be heavy.

 

 

I’m so happy to introduce you to the pattern testers’ bags! They did such a fantastic job, and I’m excited about what they’ve accomplished here!

Laura from Quokka Quilts made this insanely good laptop bag from the Ghastlies fabrics. I just had to show you both the front and the back of her bag because she pieced those evil-looking ladies, and even accentuated it with a matching zip!

Tracy from I’ve Got A Notion made this awesome bag in really cool vintage-inspired sewing pattern fabric! She used Vilene H630 and a fusible heavyweight in place of the Soft and Stable, and omitted the foam to make a regular bag, not a laptop bag. You can read more about her experience with the pattern on her blog.

Peta made this beautiful golden version of the bag! Peta has a real flair for choosing fabrics and accessories to accent her bags, and this time is no different! Super polished look on this one Peta!!

Norma of Norma’s Clay made this chocolate and turquoise bag, without the foam to make a regular bag as well. Norma also makes really beautiful clay accessories, you should check them out!

Kelie from Craft Nurse Quilt made this crazy amazing version in Tula Pink ‘Salt Water’ patchwork. And isn’t her model adorable!! Seriously in love with this bag! You can read more about it on her blog here!

Mary made this beautiful large version of the bag using wool fabric, and she accented it with a black button. She said that her goal was to make a bag that was suitable for either gender. Fantastic looking bag, Mary!

Maria from Beautiful Blooms made this awesome bag in Patty Young fabrics. I think the dark flap really sets of the fabric print nicely! Maria says that the padding is more than adequate for keeping a laptop safe, and that she is using her bag to tote her iPad.

Emily from Half Square Triangle made this caramel-colored bag. She made this bag as a masculine gift, and I think it really fits the bill!

Athena of Mama of 4 Divas Designs made this fantastic bag with red accents and vertical stripes. Sometimes stripes can be tough to match up, but Athena pulled this one off with much success!!

Aylin of Aylin-Nilya made this crazy good texty fabric with a monochromatic print for her accents. I think it’s a gorgeous bag and she pulled it off with such style! You can read more about her experience making this bag on her blog.

Robin of Crafty Musings made this beautiful dark teal bag with the cute cat fabric! Robin was super-detail oriented when testing the pattern, which I really appreciated! And what a beautiful bag!!

Cindy made this darling chicken bag…my gosh, I squealed just looking at it! She did a fantastic job with this clucker! 🙂

Nancy made this bright bag, and I feel kind of mesmerized by this fabric. I actually love the accent fabric, I think it cuts into the main print just enough but not too much! Fabulous bag again, Nancy and great job as always being a tester!!

Brenda made this darling jungle-themed bag. I think it’s just perfect, and that animal print on the accents is just genius! Fabulous job Brenda!!

Natasha of Houseful of Nicholes made her bag out of this great modern graphic fabric. I really like that she added her label on the front of the bag, it looks extremely professional!

Maria made her bag out of ‘Tsuru’ by Rashida Coleman-Hale. It’s so awesome, and I love the accent fabric that she chose…it really ‘shoots out’ from the corners of the bag! So awesome, this bag just rocks!

Teresa made this pretty pink floral bag, the small version of the pattern. She used automotive headliner fabric in place of the Soft and Stable and she said that she liked the firmness that it gave the bag. And it’s a winner with the polka dot accents too!

Corrina of Another Thing Off the List is pretty much an all-star tester…she’s made just about every bag I’ve come out with. Here she is with another winner, her bag done up in Rashida Coleman-Hale’s ‘Washi’ fabric! It looks awesome, and love the printed accents too!

Thank you testers, thank you so much!! Thank you for catching my mistakes and producing such lovely things!! ::standing ovation:: Check out this pattern right now in my pattern shop!

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23 thoughts on “Lilium Laptop Bag

  1. kateuk says:

    Always love seeing the pattern testers bags- looks great whatever fabric, but that ‘tiffany’ version is awesome.

  2. Wow the quilting on that bag is absolutely gorgeous!!!! The bag tester bags are always fun to see how different they can look in the chosen fabrics.

  3. Congrats on the new release Sara! All the testers did a great job 🙂 It’s so fun to see how one pattern looks in a variety of fabrics.

    Cindy

  4. beaquilter says:

    these are AWESOME bags! I love the quilting on the teal one 🙂 where do you find all your testers from?? I would love some tips

  5. Lisa Mather says:

    I wish I tested this now! lol They’re all beautiful!

  6. Unknown says:

    It’s always fun to see the different “takes” by the testers. The creative juices have really been flowing!

  7. Jess says:

    Gorgeous design Sara! I’m always in awe of Lisa’s quilting – and it looks ah-mazing on her bag! And yeah, don’t know how you could bring yourself to cut it up ;o)

  8. pennydog says:

    What an awesome bag, love Lisa’s the best!

  9. Maria says:

    Everyone has done a wonderful job. Beautiful fabrics and the quilting on your bag is amazing.

  10. Loving that woolly one!

  11. Sharon Dawn says:

    Cute, cute! I love the trim accents and shape on the flap! Once again, amazing samples by all!

  12. vexa says:

    Great parade but that quilting version is the best! You are so innovative and I love your approach!

  13. Kelly says:

    All the bags are beautiful – but the quilting on Lisa’s bag – FREAKING AWESOME!

  14. Katy Cameron says:

    Loving the long armed one, although I can see why people were freaking out when you took the rotary cutter to it – bwahahahaha!

    Obviously Laura selected fabrics after looking in the mirror one morning (she says, from a very safe distance ;o) )

  15. paqui says:

    Menudos bolsos bonitos !!
    Son todos preciosos . Enhorabuena a todas !!
    Un saludo

  16. james says:

    Great idea to add the pocket on the outside, Emily. There’s always so many ‘extras’ to carry along with computers
    touch-screen-laptops

  17. Actually I was looking to get in such quality of bag and finally found here. I want to keep my laptop on in such bag to keep it save and I hope that now I will get in such bag to keep my laptop. Its quality and design are really perfect. Thanks
    Wii Repair

  18. Lissa says:

    This is a really neat pattern and seems to be exactly what I’m looking for in a laptop bag! I was just curious if you or any of the testers kept track of the approximate cost of materials? I know that it’s going to vary greatly depending on fabrics used but if you could give me a rough idea I’d really appreciate it 🙂

  19. Susan Aszman says:

    I’m wandering why you don’t use a quilt batting, because foam has a tendency to break down from heat and moisture and could wear out a laptop by clogging its mechanisms up with foam particles. Batting last longer and doesnt break down like foam.

  20. Lily says:

    Haha that chicken bag is adorable! I love it! I need to find some of that fabric for myself.

  21. Penny says:

    Great bag! Of course, the quilted bag is the absolute winner. Fortunately, there are quilted fabrics available. My Janome would beg for mercy if I tried anything that detailed (actually, she would survive, but I would just about slump over in sheer agitation) .

    I appreciate this post because I have some quilted fabric with an adorable pattern. I have been trying to figure out what kind of bag I can make with it to honor the stitchwork. Now I know. Thanks For all the awesome Tutorials,Tips and the Free Oslo Craft Bag Pattern! Super Big HUG to ya!!!

  22. penny says:

    Forgot to mention that the Texty bag is my 2nd favorite bag, it looks so solid and professionally done. Also luv the gray picture bag, the woolen (corporate-looking) bag and the fashion dresses bag.

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