How to Glue Bottlecap Pins to a Backpack

Avoid the loss of your bottlecap pin by gluing it to your backback.

Bottlecap pins are popular decorative items, particularly for backpacks and purses. These pins are frequently lost when the pin mechanism malfunctions. To prevent loss, glue your bottlecap pins directly onto your backpack. Bottlecap pins come in two basic styles. Some bottlecaps are filled with resin and the pin mechanism is embedded in the resin. The top of the bottlecap is displayed. Others are reversed, with an image painted onto the underside of the bottlecap, with the pin affixed to the top of the cap with glue or a spot weld.

Things You'll Need

• Wire snippers or single-edge razor blade
• Washing machine
• Clothes dryer
• Fabric adhesive
• Heavy book

Instructions

1. Empty the backpack and wash it in the washing machine to remove dirt, debris and fibers that may prevent proper adherence.

2. Dry the backpack in the clothes dryer on low heat or allow it to air dry.

3. Remove lint, pet hair and stray fibers by running a lint roller over the portion of fabric where you'll place the bottlecap.

4. Remove the pin mechanism. Snip off the needle and latch if it's spot welded to the back of the pin or embedded in resin. Use a single-edge razor blade to slice off the pin mechanism in the event that it's glued to the bottlecap's surface.

5. Apply adhesive to the bottlecap and attach it to the backpack.

6. Place a heavy book, such as a dictionary, atop the bottlecap while the glue dries. The pressure will ensure that there's a complete bond between the bottlecap and the fabric.

7. Allow the glue to dry and set per the directions on the product packaging. Don't use the backpack until the glue has set.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a glue that's designed specifically for use on fabric. The adhesive is often marketed as a rhinestone adhesive.

• If the bottlecap is placed near the edge of the fabric, use a clothespin to hold it onto the fabric while the glue sets.

• If you don't have a lint roller, wrap masking tape around your hand with the sticky side facing out. Use the tape to remove stray fibers and hairs from the surface of the backpack.