The Laptop Case is Finished!

Actually, it's been finished for a couple of days and I am just getting around to posting about it . . . . I've had a sock knitting catastrophy, a black out (the electricity, not my brain), an emotionally distraught daughter. . . you know . . . life just got in the way.

So here it is-- drum roll please:



It is not perfect, but I love it anyway. Here are the problems I need to correct if I am going to make a pattern to sell:

1. It is too tight a fit. I need to make it wider. I'm hoping this one will stretch out a little. (Hmmm -- maybe Pete will let me get a Macbook Air . . . only .76 of an inch thick and $3,098 for 1.8GHz. Yeah, right.)

2. The finishing was difficult -- more than what most people would be willing to do. I wanted the design to wrap around and match up (which it does! Hooray!), so I only had one side seam which I stitched it by hand with strong linen thread -- the kind used on braided rugs. I was left with backing showing through, so I then hooked matching wool strips where needed -- a major pain in the you-know-what, since it was all sewn together and couldn't go back on the frame. I have some ideas on how to make that easier.

3. Although I like the opening on the short side for this, my own personal laptop case, I think people would find a case that opens on the long side, like a briefcase, easier to use.

4. The built in handles are probably not a good idea. I reinforced these with some strong stencilling plastic, but I think most laptops are too heavy and need leather or wooden handles.

That said -- look at the lining! Don't you just love it?



It is all stitched in by hand. (I was the best hand stitcher in 7th grade home economics class at Fair Haven Middle School. Thank you, Miss Johnson.) I tacked the bottom to the hooked part so it won't turn inside out whenever I take the laptop out.

I am pleased as punch. Now I just wish I had somewhere to take my computer so I can show off the case.




Also -- I received my prize from Lana of Honeysuckle Lane. She had a giveaway after posting for the 100th time on her blog.

Arent these lovely?



They remind me of Alice in Wonderland. I love the deckled edge and the softness of the printing. They came just in time, too, because even though it is almost February 1, I haven't written my Christmas thank yous yet!

You can see more of Lana's work on her website and on ebay, too. Everything Lana touches turns to gold. Her artwork is always thoughtfully conceived, beautifully executed, and technically perfect. And she is as sweet as can be. Thank you, Lana!