Laptop Bag for your Asus eee pc

This project recycles an IKEA laptop bag (it's called FLORT and costs $9.99 at IKEA) into one perfectly sized for your Asus eee pc. Specifically this one fits my eee pc 1000 but I think you could modify this project to fit any small netbook.

The computer originally came with a nice black zippered sleeve and you can still use it with this case for added protection.

I originally bought the IKEA bag for my larger Sony Vaio but the bag was a little too short for the laptop to fit comfortably. As a result, the bag eventually ended up in a closet. When I got my new eee pc, I started to shop around for a nice travel bag. What I found though is that most of the bags out there are too big or if they fit my netbook there is no room for peripherals, like my mouse and all those cords.

Suddenly I remembered my IKEA bag and thought maybe I could customize it. For free.
The following steps take you through my journey.

Step 1: Disassemble the bag

The tools and equipment you'll need for this project are a sewing machine, scissors, snap-off blade knife, a seam ripper, a metal ruler, marking pencil, and sewing thread. The fabric is sturdy but not too heavy, so I was able to use a needle for heavy-weight fabrics and a polyester-wrapped cotton thread.

Take apart the bag. This took a while but well worth it. There are many parts to recycle for the project and I only used parts from the original bag. I didn't have to add any new hardware or fabric.

Here are are all the components.

Comments

[synchr0nize]

Not bad.

[asuseeepc]

 I'm using this nice strechable sleeve bag for my ASUS eee PC 1008HA netbook. I used to put this on my 11" laptop, but now I'm using this with my new netbook and it just fits very well.

[Yerboogieman]

My brother just got an Eee PC 900 a few minutes ago. Which i am using, lol. I have a really nice polyurethane snowboarding coat i'm not sure i want to cut up, it was $300 and doesn't fit anymore. What do you think?

[kathleenhenri]

If the coat has a nice big pocket with a flap maybe your brother's 900 would fit into it (with a bit of modding of course!). You could cut  the pocket out, hem up the edges and sew on a strap.

[Xamu]

Very nicely done! Gold star for you!

[limpach]

Guy at my college uses a Dialisis bag for his.

[tdwd]

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee pc

[fraggle]

I have an Acer Aspire One... small netbook like that. I just got a portable dvd player bag. fits perfect. $19.

[kickaha]

Happy coincidence: I saw this project the day before I took my wife on her first trip to Ikea (she's from an area where they don't exist). We're working on the project together this weekend, and it's coming along rather nicely. The sateen inner lining seems to slip over the sewing machine foot a bit. As a result, we're holding the bag bits and guiding it as much as letting the machine push the fabric through. One design choice that made production even easier was to leave the 'depth' of the bag the same (about 3.25", by my measurement). This lets me tuck the power wart, my insulin supplies and my eyeglass case into the main body of the bag. Thanks for the concept. The bag looks great, and it's very nice to have a sleek bag to carry the eee around in.

[kathleenhenri]

Thanks for letting me know about your project. The slipperiness of the liner is such that I found I had to baste everything before sewing to keep the layers from slinking around while stitching them together. Hope the final outcome is a success.

[locofocos]

I really wish somebody would make a laptop bag for the Eee PC. I have the 1000H model and currently use a bible case to carry it around in. It provides almost no padding, so I hesitate to carry it around where it might get bumped.

[unclesam]

locofocos, I found an inexpensive padded case that fits my eee PC, a case sold for carrying a portable dvd player, includes shoulder strap . Cases sold at all electronics stores, but not in the computer section. Cases available in several sizes, so best to take your computer with you. The case I chose had no extra room for accessories, but I wanted it just for protecting the PC while it was stuffed into one of the compartments of a larger shoulder bag that can carry accessories and extras. Unclesam

[buchd]

Excellent timing! I am actually headed out to buy an eeepc this evening...

[rosquillo]

Thanks. I've just found my next weekend project!

[kathleenhenri]

Good luck with it. I'd love to see pictures when you're done with your project. If you have any questions or run into any problems please let me know.

[FreshPineSent]

Or you could put it in the pocket of your cargo pants / ScottE Vest.

[jcfan120893]

I have that bag I got it for $ 5 i don't why the lady at ikea gave it to me for 5 instead of 10.

[Joe Martin]

I bought this manbag for my eee, I haven't changed it though as the size is right for my books and food and eee for college. The only problem with it is the strap on the last picture.It kind of bundles up but some stitching above and below nearer the plastic bit should sort it!

http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FEH/LPLN/FR123H8R/FEHLPLNFR123H8R.MEDIUM.jpg

Did you get the matching cd case and pencil case, oh the crap you come home with from ikea!

5*

[kathleenhenri]

Yes, I bought the pencil case and the zippered pouches too.

[jeoncs]

I wish the 900ha came in white. That design is the bomb and makes a sweet bag

[kathleenhenri]

Thanks. I am already looking around to see if there is another bag I can alter!

[cheating-master]

looks good.