How to Keep a Schoolbag Funky

Express your individuality in and out of the classroom by customizing your schoolbag with fun and funky touches. Whether you use a messenger bag, backpack or tote to carry your books, add embellishments to it and make simple modifications that will showcase your personal style.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Schoolbag
• Bumper stickers
• Buttons and pins
• Embellishments
• Foam stamps
• Fabric paint
• Brushes
• Paint pens
• Camera or guitar strap
• Fabric
• Charms
• Bead chain or jute

1. Accessorize with bumper stickers across the bottom, a collection of trading pins or buttons featuring favorite phrases, bands or celebrities. Create a pattern or your initials with self-adhesive gems, small buttons or metal studs.
2. Add color with foam stamps and fabric paint. Use a brush to design custom artwork or funky graffiti. Write quotes or personal catch phrases with opaque paint pens. Let friends and celebrities add their autographs to your bag wherever they'd like.
3. Create a patchwork pattern by layering swatches of fabric over the original surface. Choose a variety of colors, textures and materials like thin metal mesh or netting. Attach the pieces with hand stitching, safety pins or double-stick tape. If the bag has piping around the edges, cover it with strips of denim, lace or beaded trim.
4. Swap the bag's original handles for funky pieces like camera or guitar straps. Secure them with sturdy machine stitching or take the bag to a tailor to sew them for you.
5. Dangle charms and accessories from the zippers and strap with bead chain, jute or torn fabric strips.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't add bumper stickers or images with obscene, controversial or questionable messages that may lead teachers or school administrators to confiscate your bag.