- 1). Fold the piece of quilted fabric in half once. Wrap a large, heavy duty rubber band around the folded fabric so that the rubber band is in the middle. You may need someone to help you.
- 2). Twist the fabric on one side of the rubber band as tight as you can and secure this twist with a few rubber bands. Do the same on the opposite side of the rubber band, twisting in the other direction.
- 3). Prepare the dye as instructed on the dye package. Most dyes need to be mixed with hot water and require mixing with salt. Use a container that you're OK with becoming dyed. Prepare one container for each color if you want a two-color tie-dye backpack.
- 4). Dunk one side of the fabric in one container and the other side in the other container if you're doing a two-color dye. Let your fabric sit in the dye for the amount of time recommended in the instructions. Wear protective gloves.
- 5). Remove the fabric from the container and wring out the excess dye into the container. Most dyes are permanent, so be careful not to let the dye splatter.
- 6). Remove the rubber bands and open the fabric on your work surface to see the pattern. Hang and let dry overnight. Lay tarpaulin or cloths on the floor, as the fabric will probably drip dye.
- 7). Wash the dry fabric using mild detergent. Hang it to dry or dry it in a low heat cycle of a dryer.
- 8). Lay the piece of quilted fabric on a flat, sturdy surface.
- 9). Draw a 14- by 12-inch rectangle onto a corner of your quilted fabric using a piece of chalk or a fabric pen.
- 10
Cut out the rectangle. Make a duplicate rectangle from more of the quilted fabric, using your first rectangle as a template. - 11
Stack the two rectangles with both correct sides of the fabric touching each other and the lengths lined up accurately. Place a pin through each side of the stack to pin the pieces together. - 12
Sew the 12-inch long side together using your sewing machine. Leave an inch gap at either end. This is where you will thread the straps through in a later step. - 13
Sew together each 14-inch side. Start sewing from the bottom of your backpack, where the gaps for the backpack are, and work your way toward the top. Stop two inches from the top. - 14
Move an inch over from your newest seam line. Make another seam along the side of the fabric. Stop two inches from the top to allow the straps to be threaded through this gap. - 15
Repeat Step 8 for the other side. - 16
Fold over about an inch of fabric at the top of the bag. Sew this fold in place. - 17
Cut a strip of 30-inch cord or strapping. Either material you choose will be durable and supportive. Hook a safety pin to one end of the chord or strap. Insert the strip into the gap in the top fold of the backpack. Tie the ends together to create a drawstring closure. - 18
Cut another two 30-inch pieces of cord or strapping. Hook a safety pin to one end of each. Thread one of the strips through the passage on the right side of the backpack and the other through the passage on the left side. - 19
Tie the end of the left sides together to make the left strap and tie the right sides together to make the right strap.
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