How to Make a Handbag

Shopping for a handbag is a bit of a, well, mixed bag. Many handbags feature a great style but unfortunately they do not come in the color you are looking for. Others are the perfect color, but you might not like the style. Still other bags might have been fashioned from a material you do not care for. If you have just a bit of spare time on your hands, are ready to do some craft work, and might have a roll of duct tape and also painter's tape on hand, you have all the makings of a handbag right there! Here are simple to follow steps to make a handbag from duct tape.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1 large roll of duct tape (silver)
• 1 large roll of painter’s tape (blue)
• Scissors
• Measuring tape (metal)
• Plastic cutting board
• Crayon
• 1 piece of flexible cardboard (17 x 11 inches)
• Single hole punch
• Notepad and pen

Make the Decorative Front and Back of the Handbag

1. Take the measuring tape and beginning at the edge of the plastic cutting board, measure a straight line 12 inches long. Use the crayon to make a small mark on the cutting board at this spot.

2. Unpack the painter’s tape, and—using the pre-measured line on the cutting board—unroll 12 inches worth of painter’s tape and cut the strip off of the roll.

3. Repeat step 2 until you have 32 strips total, each measuring 12 inches in length.

4. Take a strip of painter’s tape with the sticky side facing up and very carefully fold the strip together lengthwise. Take your time doing so to ensure that the edges line up perfectly and none of the sticky side is exposed anymore. Do this with all 32 strips.

5. Weave together 16 strips of painter’s tape. It is important to make this a tight weave and not leave big gaps. Even though the material may “give” a little, apply enough pressure to get the strips as tightly woven as possible.

6. Unpack your duct tape and turn over your painter’s tape weave. Apply strips of duct tape to the back of your weave to secure the woven strips further.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 with the other 16 strips. You now have the front and back panels of your handmade handbag.

Make the Sides of your Handbag

1. Erase the crayon mark on the cutting board that marked the 12 inch spot.

2. Take the measuring tape and measure a nine inch line, marking the spot with the crayon.

3. Cut 10 strips of duct tape, each measuring nine inches in length.

4. Lay down two strips of duct tape with the sticky side facing up. Place a third strip in the middle of the two strips with the sticky side down. This leaves a little bit of sticky side open on either side.

5. Place a fourth strip sticky side up next to the second strip. Take the fifth strip and place it sticky side down in the middle between strip two and strip four, right next to strip three. This makes one side of the handbag.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to make the second side of the handbag.

Assemble Your Handbag

1. Take the piece of cardboard and place strips of duct tape from top to bottom, one next to the other, on both sides.

2. Fold the duct tape covered piece of cardboard in half, so that the new piece is the size of an 8½ x 11 piece of paper.

3. Carefully place the woven front panel of your handbag onto the outside of the left side of the sheet of flexible cardboard. Tape it in place with duct tape.

4. Repeat step 3 with the outside of the right side of the sheet of cardboard and the woven back panel of your handmade handbag.

5. Attach the sides you made with the slim strips of still exposed duct tape holding them in place until you can firmly connect them with strips of duct tape.

6. Take the measuring tape and measure the top of your purse lengthwise. Write down the measurement on the notepad. Divide the figure in half. Take this result and divide it in half again. This last figure represents the number of inches you need to measure from the outside edge of the bag to the middle. Measure once from the right side, and then once from the left side, each time making a mark on the handbag. Turn the duct tape handbag over and repeat with the other side.

7. Use the single hole punch to make a hole where indicated by your marks. You now have four single holes. These are for the handles.

8. Take the blue painter’s tape and cut off two lengths of tape making them as long as you would like the handles to be. Add two inches.

9. Put down the first length of tape with the sticky side up and fold it in half lengthwise.

10. Thread one end of the tape through one hole and secure it with a knot. Thread the other end through the other hole, secure with a knot, and then turn over the purse to do the same with the other length of blue painter’s tape.

11. Secure the knots with duct tape and you are ready to use your homemade purse.

Tips & Warnings

• Try alternating the blue painter’s tape and the silver duct tape when making the weave for the front and back of the handbag. This will offer a great color combination.

• Use some studs or rhinestones to further decorate the handbag.

• Cut a new length of tape if the one you are working with wrinkles. It is important not to use any wrinkled strips as this will take away from the overall appearance of the handbag.

Resources

• If you love making crafts with duct tape, take a look at the DuctTapeGuys.com website where inspiration abounds! Why not make a duct tape wallet to go with your duct tape handbag?
• Find ideas for other duct tape crafts by visiting the DuctTapeCreations.com website.
• Continue making more duct tape arts and crafts project with inspiration from the SeanM.ca website where Sean explains how to make a checkbook cover to go along with your handbag and wallet.