Duct Tape Projects

"Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side and it holds the universe together" - Oprah Winfrey.

Who would have ever thought that the most mundane and innocuous thing such as a duct tape, could be used for various duct tape projects? Duct tapes originated during the 2nd World War. The U.S. Military needed a tape to keep moisture out of ammunition cases. The research for this job was enlisted to the Johnson and Johnson Permacel division, who manufactured duct tape. After the war, duct tape was sold by Manco Inc., in the form of a silver-grey version, and rolls of duct tape were placed in shrink wrap, making it easier for shopkeepers to stock them, and the rest as they say is history.

The widespread popularity, versatility and multitude of uses of duct tape has inspired an infinite number of creative and imaginative cool duct tape projects. You can make various duct tape crafts like duct tape wallets, handbags, backpacks, bracelets, mobile covers, dresses, flip flops, and even hammocks. Schools and colleges host a lot of contests for students to come up with new, creative and original projects with duct tape fabric. There is no end to the things to make out of duct tape. Duct tapes are not just available in the original color but in an array of colors like purple, maroon, pink, neon green, silver and more.

Duct Tape Prom Dress

Duct tape has even revolutionized the fashion world. Now you can not only create duct tape dresses but also duct tape prom dresses for a cutting edge look. It is just mind-blowing to think that some of the most beautiful creations can be made with the same thing that we use to fix things or keep a cardboard box from falling apart. There are even competitions to make prom dresses out of duct tape and the winner gets a college scholarship! Now to answer the more important question. How to make a prom dress out of duct tape? Here are the steps:

• You will need six sheets of duct tape to make a duct tape dress. First you have to select your design. It's easier if you sketch it.
• Next decide the color of your choice. It's not necessary for you to limit to one color. With the infinite number of duct tape colors available in the market, it can be as colorful as you want it!
• Take your measurements. Since duct tape does not allow any air to pass through, it is important to keep a little margin. Also, it will be better if you have cotton lining since tape can get very uncomfortable.
• Next you can take your own dress as a base. Start sticking the duct tape in the pattern that you selected. Wrap it horizontally. For attaching the duct tape to the dress properly, press the tape evenly.
• For you to wear the dress, you should cut a slit at the back of the dress. But remember to cover the slit with the same color duct tape, once you wear the dress.

Voila! your prom dress is ready. It will definitely make you stand out. How about more information on how to make a duct tape dress?

How to Make a Duct Tape Wallet?

Besides making a prom dress, another easy duct tape project is making a duct tape wallet. It is not only useful but also fun to make. Here is how to make a simple duct tape wallet. You will need a cutting board, duct tape ruler and a razor blade.

• Take a strip of duct tape that is at least ten inches in length and place its sticky side up. Take a second piece of tape of the same length and place its sticky side down halfway over the previous piece. The rest of the piece should be facing the sticky side up.
• Place the sticky side of the third strip down over the remaining part of the second strip. Flip the sheet and continue till the sheet of the duct tape is extended to the dimensions of 8.5 inches by 7 inches.
• To create a pocket, fold the sheet in half and tape three sides of it (bottom and the two sides).
• For your credit cards you will need a sheet of 4 by 3.5 inches. Follow the same instructions as above to create a pocket and then tape this pocket to the larger pocket.
• To make more than one pocket, repeat the step and tape the second pocket a little lower than the first one. If you want to create another pocket, do not tape the inner side of the pocket.
• This is your completed wallet. You can personalize it by adding or subtracting pockets, using different colors, etc.

The craze of duct tape projects have definitely swept the world and this is unquestionably not the end of it. We can only imagine what can come up next. Maybe NASA will come up with a duct tape rocket! Well, whatever it will be, the sky is the limit. One can say that duct tape really can fix anything except maybe a broken heart!