So when my aunt, two cousins, and I decided to take a tote bag sewing class locally, I thought it would be the perfect chance to make myself a new laptop bag!  It turned out better than I had hoped for.

I used a random assortment of fabrics I already had – some Heather Bailey, some Erin McMorris, and some Amy Butler.  It took a total of 36 charm squares (more if you add pockets), which I cut myself by simply cutting six 5-inch squares from each of 7 fabrics (I had a few left over, which I could have used for pockets but chose not to).

Each side of the bag is 4 blocks wide and 3 blocks tall.  I used 1/4″ seams, and once they were pieced together, I used fusible fleece on the backside.  I then did some free motion quilting on each side.

To make the handles, I pieced 10 squares together, backed with fusible fleece, then folded the long raw edges into the middle, and folded the entire piece in half.  I sewed 1/4″ from each side, and a line down the middle.  Then I just chopped the long strip right in half to make two handles.  These handles will definitely be easy on my shoulders!

For the interior I used some super soft Minky fabric.  I used fusible lightweight interfacing to give it some structure and reduce the stretch – it sews much better that way!

I also made a little flap to keep my laptop secure inside by using two charm squares, one lined with fusible fleece.  I attached the snap, then did some free motion quilting on top.

I then put the bag together, making sure to install the other half of my snap, and box the corners to give it some depth.  I used a box stitch over the strap handles to make sure they could hold the weight of my laptop.  And voila!  A lovely new laptop bag that took only a few hours.