Howcast

How to Craft a Duct Tape Backpack

Howcast — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:15:49 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make front and back Lay out a strip of duct tape 15 inches long, sticky side up. Add more strips of tape, overlapping one another by ½ inch, until it is 11 inches wide. Then add another layer of tape, sticky side to sticky side onto the first sheet to create the back of the bag. Make an identical sheet for the front.
TIP: Use colored duct tape for one of the layers to have a bag that’s colored on the outside and gray on the inside.
Step 2: Create the sides and bottom Create the two side pieces of the bag in the same way, but measuring 5 inches wide by 11 inches long. Then make the bottom piece 5 inches by 15 inches.
Step 3: Tape pieces together Assemble the front, back, sides, and bottom, taping the short sides of the two side pieces to the bottom; then tape the 15-inch sides of the front and back pieces to the long edges of the bottom. Fold the sides up and tape them together.
Step 4: Finish edges Trim uneven sides and finish the top edges with folded tape to reinforce the seams.
Step 5: Create top flap Create a trapezoidal top flap, 16 inches high, 15 inches wide on one end, and tapering to 10 inches wide on the other end. Affix the 15-inch end to the back piece.
Step 6: Attach magnetic clips Push in the pins of the magnetic clips, flatten them, and tape them to the corners of the top flap at the 10-inch end. Align the clips with the front piece and tape the corresponding magnetic pairs on the front.
Step 7: Make strap Make a double-sided tape strap, 2 inches wide by 60 inches long. Tape 12 inches of the strap on each side to the each side of the backpack and staple them securely into place.
FACT: Duct tape can be used in the treatment of warts.

You Will Need

Duct tape
Scissors
2 magnetic purse clips
Stapler
Colored duct tape (optional)

How to Craft a Duct Tape Hat

Howcast — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:15:40 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Fold triangle Lay a folded sheet of newspaper horizontally. Fold each of the top corners down to the center, creating a triangle. Then fold the first layer of the bottom edge up 1 inch. Turn the triangle over.
Step 2: Tuck Fold the left and right sides of the triangle in toward the center so that it will fit your head. Fold the left and right bottom corners in and up and tuck them into the crease, creating a pocket. Then fold the top point down and tuck it into the pocket.
Step 3: Open Pull the front and back open and lay it flat. Then fold the right and left sides in and tuck them closed. Open up your finished newspaper hat.
Step 4: Apply tape Place a piece of duct tape in the center of the hat, covering the top and both sides. Apply more tape strips, overlapping slightly, until the hat is completely covered. Then cover the front and back of the hat with two horizontal strips.
TIP: Tuck excess tape along the bottom edge up and stick it to the inside of the hat.
Step 5: Make the bill Place the hat onto the piece of cardboard and mark a half oval for the bill with the marker and cut it out. Cover the bill in duct tape, trimming away any excess tape.
Step 6: Attach bill Attach the bill to the hat with strips of duct tape on both sides.
FACT: The first baseball caps of 1849 were made of straw or “chip.” A few years later, merino wool versions appeared with the modern-day crown and a bill.

You Will Need

Newspaper
Colored duct tape
Scissors
Cardboard or paperboard
Marker

How to Craft a Duct Tape Tote Bag

Howcast — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:15:51 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make sheets of tape Cut eight long strips of tape to your desired bag width. Place the strips, sticky side down, on your cutting board, overlapping the strips by 1 inch to make sheets of duct tape fabric.
Step 2: Overlap sheets of tape Flip the sheet over and cover the sticky side with another layer of overlapping tape strips. No sticky sides should be visible when you’re finished.
TIP: Duct tape comes in many colors. Consider varying the color of your bag for a two-tone tote.
Step 3: Repeat the steps Make another sheet of duct tape fabric the same size as the first for the tote bag body, and then make two smaller sheets for the sides and one for the bottom.
Step 4: Fasten the pieces together Lay one of the large pieces on top of the other and then join the body of the tote to the side pieces and the bottom by folding small pieces of tape around the three sides, leaving the top open.
Step 5: Make the handles Cut two 20-inch pieces of tape and fold each piece in half lengthwise. Attach the handles to the body of the bag with staples and then cover the staples with tape.
Step 6: Decorate the bag Use stencils and a pen to trace appliques onto complementary-colored tape. Cut out the designs with a utility knife and stick them onto your tote.
FACT: Standard duct tape was originally Army green before it was changed to silver.

You Will Need

Rolls of colored duct tape
Scissors
Cutting board
Stapler
Pencil
Stencils
Utility knife

How to Craft Duct Tape Flip-Flops

Howcast — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:32:53 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make two sheets of tape Cut off several strips of tape, 12 inches long, with the scissors. Overlap the strips by a half-inch to make a square sheet of duct tape. Repeat the steps to make a second sheet.
Step 2: Overlap the sheets Flip and cover the sticky sides with another layer of overlapping tape strips. Make sure no sticky side is visible when you’re finished.
TIP: Duct tape comes in 20 colors, including camouflage. Use your favorite colors when making your flip-flops.
Step 3: Trace your feet Trace the outline of your foot with the marker to create the base of your shoe and repeat with the other foot. Cut out the patterns with your utility knife.
Step 4: Make the toe straps Cut a foot-long piece of duct tape and fold the strip in half lengthwise. Then cut the same strip in half lengthwise to make two thin, 12-inch strips. Then repeat to make two more strips for the other flip-flop.
TIP: To make your shoes more comfortable, attach craft foam to their soles. Cut the foam out in the shape of your flip-flop and cover it with more duct tape.
Step 5: Position the straps Mark the point on the sole between your big toe and second toe. Cut a horizontal slit along the dot, ¾ of an inch long. Slip the ends of two of the straps through the slit and tape the ends to on the bottom. Repeat with the other shoe.
Step 6: Attach the straps Place your foot on the sole and pull one strap over your foot at an angle to the left, and one to the right, and then tape the ends to onto the bottom. Do this for both shoes. Now you can go to the beach in style!
FACT: Ancient Egyptian footwear included flip-flops made from reeds, wood, or leather.

You Will Need

Duct tape
Ruler
Scissors
Marker
Utility knife
Craft foam (optional)

How to Craft a Duct Tape Rose

Howcast — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:01:29 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Cut tape Cut several strips of red duct tape 2 inches in length.
TIP: Use other colors, such as yellow or white, for your rose.
Step 2: Make a petal Fold the left corner of one of the squares, sticky side up, down towards the opposite corner, leaving some adhesive showing on the right side and the bottom.
Step 3: Attach to wire Place the floral wire on top of the exposed adhesive on the bottom left side of your first petal. Wrap the tape around the wire.
Step 4: Make more petals Make another rose petal. Tilt the petal slightly to the left, and secure it to the wire with the exposed adhesive next to the first petal.
Step 5: Repeat Keep making and adding petals to the wire until you have a full rose.
Step 6: Make a stem Cut a piece of tape twice the length of the stem. Cut or tear it lengthwise so it is one quarter its original width.
Step 7: Wrap Wrap the tape along the wire and then cut away any excess tape.
FACT: According to fossil evidence, the rose is 35 million years old.

You Will Need

Scissors
Red and green duct tape
Floral wire

How to Craft Duct Tape Fabric

Howcast — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:16:13 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Determine the size Figure out how much fabric you need. Measure a segment of duct tape with a tape measure and mark the length and width with a pencil.
Step 2: Cut off strips of tape Cut off strips of tape with the scissors. Overlap the strips by ½ inch to make sheets of duct tape fabric.
TIP: Duct tape comes in 20 colors, including camouflage. Vary the color of your fabrics for a complementary effect.
Step 3: Overlap the strips of tape Flip the sheet 90 degrees and cover the sticky side with a perpendicular strip of tape. Continue until the whole swatch is covered, with no sticky sides visible.
Step 4: Repeat the steps Repeat the previous steps to create as many full sheets of fabric as you need.
Step 5: Trim the edges Trim the edges for a smooth finish. Now you can piece together your duct tape fabric to make an assortment of items.
FACT: Duct tape was used to repair the Apollo 7 moonbuggy and to keep lunar dust out of moving parts.

You Will Need

Measuring tape
Pencil
Duct tape
Scissors

How to Craft a Duct Tape Tie

Howcast — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:01:44 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Cut two strips of duct tape Cut two strips of duct tape, 56 inches in length.
TIP: Choose any duct tape color for your tie.
Step 2: Stick together Stick the two strips of duct tape together, sticky side to sticky side.
Step 3: Trace tie shape Use your pen to trace a tie shape by placing the real tie on top of your duct tape.
Step 4: Cut out the tie Cut out the tie shape with your scissors.
Step 5: Decorate Cut strips and different shapes from duct tape and give your tie a pattern. Make stripes, polka dots, or paisleys. Use a variety of colors to garnish your tie.
FACT: Stripes on American ties usually run from the top right to the bottom left while English ties run from top left to bottom right.

You Will Need

Scissors
Colored duct tape
Measuring tape
Pen
Tie

How to Make Emergency Sunglasses Out of Duct Tape

Howcast — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:00:45 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Tear duct tape Tear off a foot-long piece of duct tape.
Step 2: Slit Make two eye slits in the tape with scissors or a knife.
Step 3: Fold over Fold it in half lengthwise, so the sticky side is now completely covered.
Step 4: Punch holes Punch holes in both ends and loop a piece of string through them so you can tie the ‘glasses’ around the back of your head.
TIP: If you don’t have any string, a shoelace will do. Or use more tape.
Step 5: Admire Notice how little sun the slits allow to get in your eyes.
FACT: Sunglasses were invented in China in the 12th century.

You Will Need

1.0 ft Duct tape
Scissors or a knife
Some kind of string
A shoelace (optional)