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The making of a laptop bag (pictures)

We went to a local factory to see exactly how our custom-designed bag was put together.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Josh Miller Senior Photographer
Jessica Dolcourt
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How do you make a laptop bag? We went to San Francisco bag-maker Timbuk2 to find out (read our story here).

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Spools of thread hang on the wall, waiting to stitch bags together.

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First, they cut fabric panels.

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Customers can choose from fabrics to suit their style.

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Colored panels are sorted for small, medium and large-size bags.

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The red and gray panels needed to make our large bag.

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Singer and Brother sewing machines do the actual stitching.

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Bag-makers cut extra threads as they go.

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The binding here finishes and reinforces the bags' edges.

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The laptop sleeve we ordered goes in while the bag is still one flat piece.

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In the warehouse, finished bags are ready to ship out.

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Upstairs, designers sketch new models.

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The finished bag, complete with laptop sleeve inside. Like it? You could win it in CNET's Crave giveaway on February 12, 2016. Check back!

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