Ultimate Geek Bag: DIY EL Glowing Bag

If you would like to see more pictures of what the bag looks like, visit my site: tardistrekkie.tumblr.com

Hello there! If you're looking for the ultimate bag to show your geek pride, you've come to the right place! In this instructable, I'll give you step-by-step instructions on how to make an awesome bag that will literally have people stopping you on the street to ask where you got it! Just remember to mention me when you tell them about it!

Remember, before you buy anything, make sure that all the specs meet your requirements! This is merely a guide , so all of the final decisions need to be made by you! Read all of the instructions (both here and for all of the parts you will be using) before you begin! And because you will need to use scissors and an iron to make this, be very careful not to burn or cut yourself (or someone else) and get help if you need to!

Thanks, and don't forget to rate!

Step 1 Materials

Parts I already had:

Iron - for the iron-on fabric. I actually have a mini-iron, but I'm sure a normal iron will work, too.
Scissors - for cutting!
Cardboard - to protect the fabric and plastic from the heat of the iron
Sewing machine - to sew in guides for the transparencies (to keep them at the correct height)
Photoshop - to make the patterns nice for my printer
Paper cutter - to cut paper and fabric in straight lines
Printers - laser (for black and white) and ink-jet (for color)

Parts I needed to buy:

Messenger bag - $15 from http://bit.ly/pRAnbU
A4 size Panel with power transformer- $90 from http://bit.ly/pt2hAG
Battery Pack - $34 from http://bit.ly/pteLnq
Black Iron-on mending fabric (I recommend at least 12" long) - $3 from a fabric store
Transparencies (for color inkjet printers)- $28 from http://amzn.to/qzzmML
Transparencies (for laser printers) - $14 from http://amzn.to/qoslVG
Black velcro - found at any craft or fabric store
Fray Check - $4 from a fabric store
Fabric Marker to mark cutting guides (make sure it comes off easily! - $3 from any fabric store

Final Cost: Aproximately $200

Comments

[Kiteman]

This project was just featured on Dvice!

[tardistrekkie]

Thank you for letting me know! This is fantastic news!

[rosenae2002]

Your local print shop(inside an OfficeMax for example) has the ability to print laser transparencies for you. And for much cheaper than buying a whole box of transparency sheets. They can do color and B/W. Just bring in either a printout of your design or the file on a USB drive.

[tardistrekkie]

Good point!

[eXtremeSomething]

This is so cool, I really like the aperture one, keep up the good work ; )

[GeekyGirl1103]

Yet another instructable that makes me weep for my lack of laser printer. D:

[tardistrekkie]

Sorry to hear that. :C How about cutting out some patterns?