Laptop Sleeve made out of some used military fabrics

I like to reuse old materials and to put them into a new context
So I made a custom sleeve for my MacBook Pro out of a felted woolen blanket and a tent canvas. Both materials I bought in a swiss military shop during my last trip to my home country.

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Step 1: What you need

a woolen blanket and a tent canvas from the swiss army shop

of course the usual sewing supplies...
some ruler (take the long one)

as well you will need a drill with a 4mm drilling bit
gripper
rivets
hammer

and lots of patience

deadairman says: Nov 23, 2012. 11:52 AM

not related to this instructable but from Mein Fundus Blog. Ich spreche nur ein bischen Deutsch. What is this and what did you do to/make out of my oboe? i have looked at this for a long time and i can't quite figure it out.

uersel (author) says: Nov 24, 2012. 11:31 AM

I made this as a prop for the opera "the magic flute". The set-designer wanted something in the style of steampunk (the whole opera was set in a trainstation). So I took an old flute (not in working order anymore), some copper-fittings an old phone-set, and that's what came out.

cameraoperator says: Aug 6, 2012. 3:23 AM

This looks great and was done in such a way that a guy would use it . I would and I wouldint be seen dead with a MAN BAG. but this looks great !:)

verdastel says: Dec 23, 2010. 2:47 AM

I like this instructable, thanks for sharing!

Jess27 says: Dec 5, 2010. 2:04 PM

This is awesome! I think you should make these and sell them on Etsy. You'd make a fortune. And I would get to buy one! =]

Calorie says: Dec 5, 2010. 3:20 AM

I've considered doing this for some time. Nice job. I do have to caution you with the wool though. Although unlikely, you could build up a charge and zap the computer. Unlikely, but expensive if it does happen. I think a more likely case is that wool will pill off after time and you might get some in the air cooling ports. Other than that, rock on!

uersel (author) says: Dec 5, 2010. 10:19 AM

The good thing on these blankets is, that they are actually lightly felted, so the static charge shouldn't be much of a problem.
I also made a jacket out of a blanket like this, and even wearing it almost all the time from late autumn to early spring in the fourth year now, there is almost no pilling off. So also nothing to worry about that.. ;-)
But thanks for the thumbs up anyway!

tbcross says: Dec 3, 2010. 9:58 PM

Love this ible, I was wondering what kind of machine is that you're using?

uersel (author) says: Dec 4, 2010. 2:56 AM

For most of my sewing projects I'm using a elna #1 (aka elna grasshopper, see also here: http://tinyurl.com/2a3kmyp) from around 1946. It's a small but very sturdy and strong machine, and hey, it's swiss! ;-)

Arbitror says: Dec 3, 2010. 7:54 PM

Awesome, I love the look!

and-reas says: Jul 19, 2009. 9:07 AM

You're sooo genius! I love the 'tough' style of the sleeve with the kinda softness a laptop has. It's a shame that in Holland (where I live) you would be called a racist if you wore anything with a dutch flag from the army (like my jacket). Other wise I would make!

keithwarburg says: Apr 11, 2009. 9:04 PM

I want this. By far the coolest, most original and best-made laptop sleeve I've seen. Thanks! I'd like to see your patterns, if you still have them.

uersel (author) says: Apr 14, 2009. 11:37 AM

Thanks for the flowers! :-) As of the patterns: I never made any. I just placed my laptop on the fabric and outlined it with chalk... (see step 2)

clavicula says: Dec 27, 2008. 6:49 PM

very stylish :) I love it!

brabantia says: Oct 22, 2008. 5:00 AM

where did you get the blanket? (I'm in France and traveling to Switserland regularly)

uersel (author) says: Oct 26, 2008. 6:08 PM

In some cities you have this so called "Army Liq Shops", where they sell used army supplies. The blankets cost 20 SFr and the canvas for 15 SFr. Check www.armyliqshop.ch for the nearest to your next stay in switzerland.