Laptop Backpack
Since most of what is available at the store for carrying a laptop is black vinyl, a friend commissioned me to make her a backpack for her laptop. She wanted it to be held vertically, instead of having a backpack converted messenger bag. So here is what I came up with. Click on any of the pictures to see them a little bigger.
The freeform wavy lines I used to quilt the whole thing were inspired by the asian print.
You can kind of see the flap over the hidden zipper for the front pocket that I put in the flap. It was a fun challenge to line up the prints and line up my quilting lines.
And here is the inside view. All padded and cozy just waiting for that laptop. There is another pocket in there for holding the battery and power cord. I really love the way this bag turned out and, Christy, if it isn’t working out, I would be happy, happy, happy to take a return :-)
Since the Whiplash theme this month is conveniently “bags”, I am entering it into the competition. Check out the list of links on the Whiplash site to see all of the amazing entries. Fun! Fun! And since I have to choose a category, I guess it is going to have to be SKILL since it doesn’t seem to fit any of the other categories.
I should add that there was a whole lot invested in this bag, from the fabrics imported from the Philippines taking up precious cargo space, to the actual design from scratch. I may not be a crafter, but this project was pretty impressive. I know I sleep with her, but B has an attention to detail that makes me swell with pride everytime. This was a product of several months of calculating, designing and planning, not to mention the actual sewing part. I know I am biased, but I think she should have charged at *least* 3 times more for it. It is a work of art.
Bethany- this is just so beautiful! Not only are you skilled in sewing, but incredibly creative. Way to go…nice bum, by the way! :)
Hah! Thanks, Carol. That is what I get for asking the man to take pictures of the backpack. I was frustrated that he didn’t seem to be focused on taking “good product shots” but a little flattered that after 11 years I can still distract him a little ;-)
What a great bag! I do hope you win the Whiplash contest.
Wow, I’m definitely not entering the skill category now! This is really stunning. The design, the construction, the materials, everything. Great job! Really beautiful.
Wow! Beautifully designed and executed. I entered a bag in the SKILL category as well, and now humbly step aside :-)
Truly great backpack - I want one too…
Wow…this blows mine out of the water in terms of skill! I love the lining in this bag…it’s fantastic! Great job.
This is awesome! Just caught up on all your blogs back to mid-April and am blown away by your creativity and attention to detail. Keep on keepin on!
What a nice bag!!
This is absolutely gorgeous! Love it ;)
Great bag. Love the colours!
Wow! Thank you for all the encouraging comments. I was feeling pretty discouraged this week and you guys have definitely cheered me up. I love Whipup.net for the community it creates. These competitions are such a fun way to find new and amazing crafters on the web. So seriously… follow the links from the Whiplash Competition page or the links above to see some amazing people and their creations. It is so nice to not feel alone in this world, even when I sometimes feel alone in this town.
I agree with Mr. B that it is a work of art, one that I see daily. As fun as it is, it is also amazingly subtle. When Christy whips out her laptop everyone seems surprised that such a pretty backpack is functional. And I never even noticed the printing and quilt line alignment until I read it on here, which speaks to how smooth it works. High quality. Though it is probably worth a lot more, I am also quite glad you only charged what you charged. ;-)
wow! that’s very nice! Very well done!
that bag is so beautiful! you def should win the skill section. I found you via your comment about making things in multiples. I have exactly the same problem. It even goes as far as having shop owners offer to take stock from me based on something I am wearing or carrying and I STILL can’t produce more than one!!! I wish I knew the answer. Keep crafting you are seriously talented!
Your bag is incredible, I love all the details - the asian print, the quilted inside pockets, the form (*gush*)! I hope you win the competition, and look forward to visiting again to see what other beauties you cook up!
This is a stunning bag…you have worked really hard and deserve a prize! Love the mix of colours and fabrics…beautiful.
Great job and very detailed work. Looks very difficult. Your friend is a lucky one.
Oooh.. I got here from a comment you left on my blog some time ago. Trying to catch up now with the online crafting community :)
Hope to see more of you work!
As the bag recipient, I guess it’s about time I commented. :)
Sorry for the delayed response, this is the first time I’ve checked any blogs in what seems like forever.
I am totally in love with this backpack. Every place I go I get compliments. Very few stop long enough to appreciate the kind of intense work that went into the quilting, pocket elastic, and finish seaming. Mostly they just stop in their tracks and say “Wow, where did you GET that?!”
Every time I open it I see some new detail I didn’t appreciate before. I can’t believe how blessed I am to be the commissioner of such a piece of art.
I am so incredibly impressed by this bag! You are such a skilled seamstress.
Wow! That looks utterly amazing…from the design, the fabric, the free form quilting. You have my vote for whiplash :)
I want one! Will pay big bucks for such a magnifico piece of art!
Congratulations on winning over at WhipUp. You deserved it!
This is wonderful! It’s so hard to find a neat laptop bag and your friend is very lucky. Hurrah for winning on WhipUp!
Congrats for winning whiplash!
wow! matching the fabric and your quilting!
you are immensely talented. best wishes to your growing business.
i’m sure if you made these bags they would sell very well!
Took me a while to find the winning page, but there you are. Congratulations! I’m so excited for you. I knew all along how blessed I was to have such an incredible bag, but now everyone else knows it too! Double and triple congrats! What was your prize?
Are you making these backpacks? I would be interested in knowing your price….it is lovely!
thank you
suzanne ryan
that´s the bag where i´m looking for since years!! it could be so nice, to have such bug!! a wonderful work, very great!! congratulations! respect! one can see the love to the detail! i think i´m a little bit jealous…