Woven Duct Tape Purse

Duct Tape Season is Upon Us!

As the school year winds down, it's time for camp.  I always have to go through a few orientation days before the campers begin their summer.  Since i've been there as an art specialist for so many years, I use a lot of my time during these days to come up even better projects for the campers.  After a few years, I finally convinced the director to try out duct tape as an art elective for the first time last year.  It was a huge success and the campers all went crazy over it.  This year I wanted to take it up a level since they already made basic items like shoelaces, rose pens, and wallets.  


I decided to make a smaller version of the woven purse (Shown at the top of this blog).  I used the one of the awesome pattern rolls of duct tape that are new to the camp for this year. As a duct tape enthusiast since way before duct tape became popular, i'm super excited about this project.  The 6th and 7th grade campers are going to love this.  The following is a walkthrough of the project. Surprisingly, it only took about an hour and a half to throw together.


First, gather your supplies.  You'll need an exacto knife, a cutting board and a measuring device.  Cutting boards like the one shown below are perfect because you can measure everything out right on its surface.  However, an old cutting board from your kitchen and a good old fashioned ruler will work just fine.  Lastly, and most importantly you'll need two colors of duct tape. I like using a solid color and a pattern.  

 Now, its time to begin creating the strips you will weave with.  This purse ends up being 9 x 6 x 2 inches.  Don't worry I give you the exact measurements for all the pieces you need so you don't have to do math. To make a strip, you measure out a piece of duct tape face down on your cutting board. Next, you peel it up and put it sticky side up. Then, you fold it in half long ways.  Its a little tricky at first, so you might need some practice.


Now that you know how to make a strip, lets begin.  Choose one color and make twelve, nine inch strips.       

Now, make two, twenty-one inch strips. My cutting board was too small so I had to maneuver two boards to measure these larger pieces out.  

 There, half way done with the strips! Now, onto the other color.  Make nine, fourteen inch strips. Again, a single one of my boards was too small to create these strips. 

 Now, make twelve, two inch strips with the same color.  

Strips are all done! Now for my favorite part, the weaving! The small zebra strips are on the sides.  The two longer purple strips are in the middle and go all the way across. See how the edges are a little uneven? Don't worry, its an easy fix. Just cut a strip of duct tape to cover each side and cut it in half long ways.  For example, for the top you will need a nine inch strip and if you cut it in half long ways, you can use it on the bottom as well.  Take one of these pieces and arrange it so it covers the edge, but it hangs about halfway off the edge. Then, fold it over to the other side.  Now you have a clean edge.     

Now construct the purse by folding up the sides and attaching them together with two, six inch strips of duct tape that are cut in half long ways. Make sure each piece is touching the two side you want to connect.    

 The last step is to make the straps.  Cut two strips to a little longer than desired length. I made mine about fifteen inches.  Put those strips sticky side up.  Now, measure two strips that are that about three inches shorter and stick them on the longer strips so the sticky side of the longer strips is sticking out on both edges.   

 Use the sticky parts of the strap to attach them to the purse. All done! The woven duct tape purse is complete!  

I think this project is going to be very successful with my campers.  I'll be sure to post about their progress.