How to Make a Homemade Laptop Cover

It's time to customize the outside of you computer to refect the real you.

Computers enhance our lives and laptops have given us the freedom to take our computers anywhere we go. But let's face it: the outside of most laptops are...just plain boring. We customize the inside of the laptops by adding special screen savers, music and photos. But the outside looks just as it did when it came from the factory, but no more. Now you can make your laptop truly your own by creating a laptop "skin" and a homemade laptop cover. With some simple materials and a little imagination, you can have a laptop that is a true reflection of you.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Sheet of adhesive laminate or vinyl cling
• Permanent marker
• Masking tape, 1/4-inch wide
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Small paintbrush
• Mod Podge
• 1-inch foam brush
• Pictures, magazines, photos (for design collage)
• Fabric, 1 yard of quilted fabric
• Measuring tape
• Needle
• Coordinating thread
• Straight pins
• Velcro, buttons, snaps
• Embellishments, buttons, lace, ribbons, etc.

Instructions

Laptop Covers

1. Prepare first layer. Measure the top of the laptop lid with a ruler. Add 1/4 inch for border to each side. This border will allow for the removal of the laptop skin when desired. Measure and mark the cling vinyl or adhesive laminate with a permanent marker. Cut the cling vinyl or adhesive laminate with carefully with scissors or a craft knife.

2. Secure adhesive laminate to the laptop cover. Separate the layers of the adhesive laminate at one of the corners and carefully position on the top of the laptop. Press down slowly, squeezing out air bubbles until the entire adhesive laminate is smooth and secure on the laptop cover.

3. Secure cling vinyl to the laptop cover. Follow the same procedure as with the adhesive laminate except that there is no backing to remove from the cling vinyl.

4. When the adhesive laminate or cling vinyl is secured to the laptop cover, apply a masking tape border that is 1/4 inch wide to each side.

5. Create the background. Choose images with interesting colors and textures as solids do not make an interesting background. Try magazine covers or wallpaper samples. Cut the images to fit the laptop cover.

6. Place other images on top of the background. Pick larger images that will appear in the design and place them first. Add smaller images to soften the visual composition and to complete the design. Coat the back of each image with Mod Podge and a small paintbrush making sure to remove any air bubbles.

7. Seal the design. Paint an even, thin layer of Mod Podge with a foam brush over the design. The Mod Podge will appear hazy at first but will dry clear. Allow to dry. Paint several coats of Mod Podge.

   Allow to dry for at least 24 hours.

8. Remove the masking tape from the design. Touch up any of the Mod Podge sealing coat that may pull away with the masking tape and allow to dry.

Make a Laptop Cover

1. Measure the laptop with a measuring tape. Add 2 inches to allow for seam allowance and the thickness of the laptop. Fold fabric in half, right-side to right-side. Mark fabric according to measurements taken. Cut fabric with scissors.

2. Pin the two pieces of fabric together with straight pins, right-side to right-side and sew all the sides closed except one of the short ends using a needle and thread or sewing machine. This will be the opening to the laptop cover.

3. Turn the laptop cover right-side out. Turn the open short end inside 1/4 inch and press with an iron. Turn the edge another 1/4 inch and pin with straight pins to form a hem. Sew with small, straight stitches by hand with a needle and coordinating thread or sew on a sewing machine.

4. Lightly press the homemade laptop cover with an iron.

5. Add Velcro, buttons or snaps to the open end of the homemade laptop cover. Decorate laptop cover with appliques, ribbon, buttons or other embellishments.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with different designs and colors. Use family photos or copies of old maps.

• Change your laptop skin to reflect your changing interests.

• If you put the Mod Podge on too thick, it will cause the paper to wrinkle and curl and it will take forever to dry.

• You have unlimited fabric choices when making a laptop cover but the fabric should be durable. Consider adding a layer of quilting batting and a lining.

• Consider making a laptop "sweater" or "mitten" by recycling old sweaters. Use the buttons as embellishments.

References

• Artstechnica: Laptop Sleeves

Resources

• Frugal Upstate: Laptop Cover From Old Sweater
• Cool Laptop Covers: Tutorial Video