This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Duck Brand. All opinions are 100% mine.
In my LBK {life before kids} I used to travel… a lot. Like 6.5 out of 7 days a week. I went through several suitcases and the biggest challenge was always finding a new one that looked unique enough that I could easily identify it and grab it quickly at the airport baggage claim. It was not only that I wanted to get out quickly, but on more than one occasion I had someone else pull out and start to leave with my suitcase thinking it was their own.
So back then, I came up with all sorts of contraptions to identify my suitcase, like a pretty ribbon that ended up looking super tacky after a few trips, or a handle tag that got ripped off more than once going through the TSA obstacle course. All these years later, I have FINALLY come up with the perfect, easy, and affordable solution for having a super cute suitcase totally customized to you.
Duck Tape® has always been a crafter’s favorite, but recently they have released a whole new line of specialty crafting tapes that will make any lover of the arts swoon. Their new line include, glitter, prism, washi and FABRIC crafting tapes! Seriously… you have to see it! Take a look here at Duck Brand Craft Tapes. You could do anything from a paper craft, to a cute cake bunting, to well… decorate a suitcase! Duck Tape® really makes the sky the limit with all the new types of tape they have. Let creativity abound!
What I zeroed right in on that fabric Duck Tape®. I am all about no sew projects and so I thought I might have just found what I had been looking for my whole life. It is true! Now you can now have the polished look of fabric with peel and stick convenience. And that my friends, is where we hit the jackpot for customizing my little boring black suitcase.
Using the tape is super easy. It comes in a roll just like normal Duck Tape® but when you unroll it there is a thin backing on it. You just measure, cut, peel and stick and that is all there is to it. Let me show you with my new favorite suitcase!
You can use the tape to decorate your suitcase in any way that suits you, but what I did, was tape around the sides, then add a strip and a monogram to the front. Duck Tape® sent me the two designs to work with pictured here, but they have a range of very fun colors and patterns, and even mini rolls and sheets- Duck Brand Craft Tapes. I really love the blue polka dot. Which is your favorite?
First I measured the tape to the length I wanted it and cut. I peeled back the tape and put it in place. I used my fingernail to score any areas that needed to be trimmed and then carefully pulled up the tape and used fabric scissors to trim it and then firmly pressed to readhere.
I used the same process to attach the front and cut the rounded edges. Then I decided to get fancy and run the tape through my Silhouette Cameo to cut a monogram. After a few little experiments I figured out a few important tips.
1. You can not cut it on the backing. It was not adhered strongly enough to the backing and would pull up when being cut. What I ended up doing was removing the backing and sticking the tape onto the back of my cutting mat. I used the fabric cut setting and slowed the speed down to 2. Settings: Blade-3 Thickness- 33 Speed- 2.
2. You need to use thick fonts. Any more delicate or thin lines of the font would fray as I pulled them back up off the mat so in order to have the best result use thick lines or shapes. I ended up just using my M in the monogram because the other letters had spots that were too thin and did not work well with this method. Alternately, you could cut a stencil, trace the design onto the tape and hand cut the design while on the backing. I think you would be able to cut thinner lines this way.
3. Transfer paper will not work to move your design. You will have to peel it up and place each piece by hand.
It was a little effort, but well worth the time to add on a super cute monogram to the front of my bag. Without the monogram you could easily personalize a suitcase in about 10 minutes. With the monogram it probably took me closer to 45. Either way, what an awesome and unique project! I am so excited to take a trip and show off my newly made over suitcase!
What do you think you would use these new Duck Brand Craft Tapes for? For more great inspiration with these fabulous new tapes make sure and follow Duck Tape® on Twitter @TheDuckBrand.
Shelley says
Awesome idea! How does the tape hold up over time? Have you had problems with it peeling off?