Introduction: Laptop Sleeve From a FedEx Envelope

About: I'm and artist. I like to make stuff. Check out my website.

Here are basic instructions for making a laptop sleeve out of FedEx envelopes. I was looking for a strong and waterproof material to make my own sleeve from and remembered that FedEx and the US Postal Service both use Tyvek (or similar) material for their envelopes. My sleeve fits a MacBook, but the design is easily adaptable for other sized laptops.

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Step 1: Materials

Find yourself 3 or 4 FedEx envelopes. This sleeve takes 3.

Step 2: Padding

Cut your padding material to fit the inside of the envelope. I used felt. Then stuff it into the envelope.

Step 3: Trim

Trim the adhesive flap from the bag.

Step 4: Mark Dimensions

Mark the size of the sleeve. *Note* Leave some extra room on the sides and top (1/4-1/2") for the thickness of the laptop and the seam allowance).

Step 5: Sew Pocket

Pin and sew along your lines and along the opposite side edge (shown right). This leaves an opening for the laptop (bottom).

Step 6: Trim Seems

Trim the seams.

Step 7: Turn Inside-out

Turn the pocket inside-out. This is the basic sleeve without the flap.

Step 8: Start Flap

Measure and mark the width of the folding flap.

Step 9: Pin Flap

Sew the flap to size and trim the seam. Pin the flap to the inside back of the pocket. You may notice that I mistakenly sewed it to the front on my first attempt (sigh).

Step 10: Attach Flap

Sew the flap to the pocket. I also sewed around the top of the pocket to hold the padding in place.

...yes, I am using red thread on the spool and purple on the bobbin. So what, I liked it.

Step 11: Fold Flap

That's basically it.