How to Decorate a School Bag

Travel to school in style with a backpack or tote different from any other bag on campus. Expect a lot of attention when you arrive in class carrying a bag decorated with dimensional embellishments, monograms and personal artwork.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Backpack or tote
• Fabric markers
• Fabric paint
• Charms
• Ribbon, string or chain
• Iron-on patches
• Decals

1. Use fabric paints and fabric markers available at crafts or hobby stores to recolor your bag, adorn the straps with doodles, draw pictures or write messages, quotes or song lyrics.

2. Create new zipper pulls with metal or rubber charms, key chains, miniature stuffed animals or cell phone baubles. Attach the accents to the bag's zippers with short lengths of knotted ribbon, string or bead chain.

3. Make a statement by adding iron-on patches, decals or bumper stickers to the sides of your bag.

4. Tie school spirit items like ribbons, miniature pennants or small stuffed animals to the bag's shoulder strap. Tie several short lengths of textured or printed ribbon in school colors to the handle.

Tips & Warnings

• If you'd rather not attach items like patches or bumper stickers permanently, add a strip of Velcro to your bag instead. This way, you can add the connecting Velcro strip to a patch or decal, and then remove and change it once you're tired of the design.

• Never write your name on the outside of your bag. Someone could see your name and use it with bad intentions.