How to Jazz Up Your Bookbag for School

1

Shop for cute appliques at a craft store or fabric outlet. Fabric patches, rhinestones, embroidery letters, and other small embellishments that can be ironed or sewn onto fabric are all examples of appliques.

2

Fabric patches can be ordered online or found in some record stores. Patches made of fabric are a fun and creative way to customize a backpack. You could sew on patches representing the groups you like or the places you've visited. Even if you can't sew, you can usually fix holes in clothing by ironing on a patch or gluing a fabric piece to the item.

3

Sew on buttons or iron on patches Fabric craft glue or an iron can be used to secure many patches to fabric. Even though these alternatives aren't as safe as sewing, they save a lot of time and effort in the process. A thin cloth can be used to hide the patch after it has been sewn onto the bag.

• Turn on the iron and set it to low to medium heat with the "dry" setting (not steam). For 30 to 40 seconds, gently press down on the patch with the iron in an up-and-down motion (not a back-and-forth motion). Be sure to apply consistent, firm pressure. At last, flip the backpack inside out and give the patch a quick ironing for 20-30 seconds to secure it.
• Check the integrity of the patch by running your finger along its edges after it has cooled. If ironing is required again, repeat the process.

4

Fuse together pieces of cloth or sew on embroidered emblems Patches that have been sewn on are more permanent than those that have been ironed or glued on, and they are less likely to come off in the wash.

• Apply the patch where you'd like it to go. Stick in place with a straight pin or safety pin.
• Instead of sewing the patch in place, you can secure it by applying a thin, even coat of fabric craft glue to the back of the patch using a paintbrush. Smooth out the edges and apply the patch where needed. Please wait an hour before sewing.
• Once the patch is in place, adjust the sewing machine to a close stitch and go all the way around the edge. Use a multi-stitch zig zag setting to make a strong, tight stitch if you can.

5

Quilting, mending, and embroidery are all examples of hand sewing. Putting on patches by hand is an option if you don't have a sewing machine or know how to use one. You can do it with just a needle, thread, and a straight pin or some fabric glue. Although this method may take a little longer and result in less uniform stitches, it is just as efficient. Using straight pins or, for extra security, fabric glue, position the patch where you want it to be, just as you would when using a sewing machine.

• Make sure the length of the thread you use is no more than 18 inches (45 7 cm) Wrap thread around a needle and tie a knot in one end. Put the needle through the base fabric and the patch at the same time. Doing so will keep the thread ends from showing through the patch. The patch's edge will be caught by the needle when you thread it back through the patch and the base fabric. To make sure your stitches are evenly spaced, thread your needle and pull it through the fabric again.
• The patch should be sewn on in several passes, each time following the perimeter. If the thread gets tangled, rethread the needle.
• Finally, tie a knot in the thread and withdraw the needle from the patch and the fabric. To attach a patch, snip the thread ends and tuck them under the patch.

6

Bead and sequin embroidery looks great on a backpack. Beadwork is a fun way to customize your backpack with monograms, glittery floral patterns, or even abstract designs. [3] Beading is easier than embroidery because it requires fewer stitches and almost any embroidery stitch can be used to attach beads.

• An embroidery hoop is useful for some forms of hand beadwork because it helps to keep the fabric taut and thus the beads from shifting while you work. Because of this, you can see exactly where the beads need to go.
• The proper equipment makes sewing beads onto fabric a breeze. The needle must be skinny enough to fit the bead. Needles for beading may need to be thinner or specialized for use with some smaller beads.
• Use chalk to draw a pattern or letters, or find a beadwork pattern online or at a craft store to get started.
• Select a beading needle in a size (10–15) appropriate for the size of your beads (beading needles are thinner and have smaller eyes than standard sewing needles). [4] Put your string through the needle and secure one end with a knot. [5]
• Insert needle and force it through the fabric. Place bead atop needle and lower thread until it reaches the surface of the fabric. Return the needle to the fabric by threading it alongside the bead rather than through it. For added security, do this process three or four times before moving on to the next bead. [6]
• When you're done or if you need to rethread, secure your thread inside your backpack by tying several knots and tucking them under one another. To avoid the ends fraying and to conceal the knots, do this. [7]

7

Shine it up with some crystals or rhinestones. Get some fabric craft glue and flat back plastic rhinestones or crystals from a craft shop. Have your design sketched out on paper to ensure you have enough rhinestones. Make a sunburst or star pattern with rhinestones using this as a guide (instead of glue). [8]

• Make a pattern on your backpack using chalk. If you mess up, simply use water to remove it.
• Apply the glue to the rhinestones one by one. To pick up rhinestones, tweezers can be used if needed. Put a dab of glue on the stone's base with a toothpick, and press it down onto the fabric. Wait 24 hours after gluing the stones in place. In spite of the fact that the glue should be stable after just an hour, full drying takes 24 hours. [9]
• Any loose stones can be re-affixed with a bit of glue.

8

Use studs to make a statement. Studs are easily attached to most backpacks, even leather ones, and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from flat squares to spikes. An exacto knife, some tiny pliers, and some studs from the craft store are all you'll need. Find the spots where you want to install the studs. Create two tiny holes with the exacto knife. Put the stud through the holes, then secure it by bending the two prongs down with the pliers. [10]