manual
By Leigh Ann Foskey, Jayplaywriter
From duct to diva
A new trend sticks to them all
On the runway this season you can expect to find satin sashes, capellets and duct tape? That's right—duct tape, and this year it will be used for more than improving your cleavage.
The sticky stuff has been common in American households since World War II. But not until recently has it become a familiar material in American closets. Duct tape is flexible, durable and waterproof, which makes it the perfect material for making wallets, purses and other accessories. Heather Sefcik, media relations manager for Henkel Consumer Adhesives Inc., says part of the appeal is that duct tape items are unique.
"It's an interesting phenomenon, she says. "People can get really creative. It's something people grew up with and it's a familiar item that can be used in a cool, new way."
The Henkel Consumer Adhesive Company makes Duck Tape. Because of the consumer feedback, it has created the Duck Tape Club where artists can send in photos and instructions for their tape creations.
Keith Drone, founder of ducttapefashion.com, says that there might be another reason for the tape's appeal. "People like shiny objects," Drone says. "Using it in accessories and clothing is just another use for it."
People everywhere, like Drone and his designers, are creating all kinds of duct tape items. From wallets to backpacks and hats to entire ensembles, the silver tape can be a creative person's dream.
Mark Adams, Overland Park senior,
started creating wallets, hats and even
duct-tape shorts during high school.
"People should experiment with different brands of duct tape," he says. "The more time and care you put into your work, the better it will be."
He says the best part about creating your own duct-tape accessory is that you can customize it to fit you. "You can add as many card-holding slots, windows, pockets or anything else as you want," he says.
On ducttapefashion.com handbags are priced between $15 and$ 24. Wallets start at $10, and you can even pick up an adjustable guitar strap or a dozen duct tape roses while you're there. At local craft stores, you can choose between 19 colors and patterns of duct tape for about$ 3 a roll and put your creativity to use to make the perfect bag for you. For a simple design, create four separate panels and assemble them.
1. Decide on your pattern: Stripe, solid camoflauge, and what colors. The completed front panel will measure 7 inches by 11 inches.
2. To make the front panel, lay 7-inch strips of tape, sticky side up, overlapping the edges. Next lay 7-inch strips sticky side down to cover the pattern.
3. Repeat this process to make the back panel.
3. To create the side/bottom/side panel you will need three 27-inch strips of duct tape. First, lay two strips sticky side up, overlapping by 1 inch.
4. The third strip is placed sticky side down in the center. Turn over the sticky edges.
5. To assemble: Center the two panels, and attach them with a strip of tape 7 inches long on the inside of the back and the outside. Then use two pieces on each side to secure the panels to the side/bottom/side. Lift the side/bottom/side panel and tape it to the front and back panels. Add extra pieces of tape to finish off edges and bottom. Trim off the excess tape.
Experiment with colors like flamingo pink and island lime and don't be afraid of patterns. Look at designer handbags for inspiration, and if you mess up, just unstick it, and try again. Drone says to use your creativity to make something unique.
"Duct tape is only as amaze as the imagination wields it," he says.
Photos by Jon Tran
Quick Fix
Button, button, oh God, what happened to my button?
Nothing beats the good old-fashioned button when it comes to holding your clothes on and your shirts closed—until the button falls off. Then you're stuck with a loose button and a bunch of ragged threads.
While sewing on a button sounds daunting, it's pretty simple. Just follow these simple steps from Gail Trottier, cut-
ter/draper for University Theatre.
1. Remove all of the broken thread from the fabric. It will just get in your way later and create unneeded bulk.
2. Find thread that matches as close as possible the original thread.
3. Thread your needle. When threading, Trottier advises doubling your thread to make the process faster. Tie a knot at the
4. Put your needle through the fabric, starting from the side that would be worn against the body.
tail end of the thread.
5. Bring the needle through a buttonhole from the back of the button to the front, and then pull the needle through a different hole from front to back. Bring the needle through the shirt and pull tightly.
Repair this step a couple of times until the button is secure.
6. Make a double knot in the thread on the side of the fabric that would be worn against the body. If you make a single knot, it will just come out.
Donovan Atkinson
4
Jayplay 02.03.05
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