When you've exhausted almost all the projects of summer, this back-to-school task is welcome and useful entertainment.
It's getting to be back-to-school time, and some students might want to stand out a little in the crowd. With the implementation of school uniforms in some districts years ago, flaunting personal style is a little bit more of a challenge.
Fun and funky hair accessories, socks and backpacks are a great way to express yourself. Transforming a canvas bag into a colorful backpack or gym bag to use on specials days can be easy and allows your child to pick his or her favorite colors to use.
Use a tie-dye method to color your blank bag and the results are almost always impressive. It's kind of hard to mess up tie-dye projects — the colors and patterns are so bright and busy that any mistakes are usually masked.
Blank canvas bags can be found in local craft or sewing stores. Or if you have an old one that needs a makeover, use it. Select a bag that will serve the purpose: You want it large enough for books if that's what it's meant to do. If it's just to cart sneakers back and so forth on gym day, go with a smaller bag.
Craft stores sell tie-dye kits, or you can purchase the colors separately in stores or online.
The pattern of the colors will depend totally on how you tie up your bag before it is dyed. Think it through ahead of time. If you want fun swirls, twist your bag. Cool lines? Fold it. There will always be some kind of surprise in the pattern once you unfold your bag, but they are usually fun surprises and ones that can't be controlled.
For this project, you will need a canvas bag with drawstrings, dyes, water, buckets, a sink, rubber bands or string, scissors and rubber gloves.
Begin by washing your bag and allowing it to dry.
Twist and turn your bag to create the dye effect you wish. Secure the folds or twists with rubber bands. Think through your design as much as you can. The areas where the rubber bands and creases fall will receive little to no dye.
Mix your dyes according to the manufacturer's instructions and place them in separate buckets. Start with dipping the bag in the lightest color first. You can choose to dye the whole bag or just areas of it. Allow it to set according to the instructions. Some dyes require a longer time to set, others ask that you rinse immediately.
Continue dipping the bag in the colors, going from the lightest to the darkest. Rinse the bag thoroughly and wash in cold water to set the colors. Wash the bag alone during the first few washes, because the colors may bleed.