Duct Tape Clothing

by imshanedulong

41K428

Intro: Duct Tape Clothing

Everyone has heard of duct tape wallets. Some people make pursed, tote bags, even tuxedos! I found a really simple method for making duct tape clothing. I was going to use it to make s duct tape coat, but i don't have a job. So I couldn't afford a lot of duct tape (Don't criticize me for being unemployed. I'm 16 in a town with a crappy economy.). So it turned out as a vest. Still awesome though.

This would make a great Halloween costume as By the way. It's not that scary, but "Duct-Tape Man" would be awesome!

STEP 1: The Fabric

My technique is simple. Make a crap-load of duct tape "fabric", cut it out according to a pattern, and tape it together. It works quite well, but I ran out of tape before I could make enough for the sleeves. So I now have a duct tape vest. Still awesome though.

The easiest way to make this fabric is to first make a wooden frame. It has to be at least big enough to fit the biggest piece of the pattern you've chosen. My frame could have been better. When you have this frame, put duct tape across it over and over again until you have a sheet. After that, turn it over and repeat. It takes a while, and you'll need a few, but it is still an efficient method to make the fabric.

STEP 2: The Pattern/Cutting

Now you need a pattern. If you don't have one, do what I did and cut up an old shirt. Make sure it's on you won't wear again for obvious reasons. Once you have a pattern/mutilated shirt to work with, trace it onto the duct tape and cut it out.

STEP 3: "Sewing"


Duct tape sewing is a lot easier than regular sewing. It's also manlier! Not that I'm sexist (I actually have to sew parts of my girlfriends Halloween costume for her. I'm a bit metro aside from my obsession with explosives and firearms.) but it's true. This is like redneck sewing! It's very simple. Just tape together the sides of the pattern that are supposed to be sewn. It's a good idea to "sew" on the inside and outside of the edge.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to rate, vote, and comment!

8 Comments

CalvinR1 5 years ago

Hi, I'm Calvin. I have a learning disorder (not on the language side of my brain) and I am poor at fine motor tasks, especially sewing. I want to use duct tape to get around that. You give a great, easy to understand explanation of how to use duct tape. I especially like the frame. I have wood handy (and it's cheap), and I'll use it as you do.

HowToBen 9 years ago

Cool. Duct tape underwear?

eduvallw 9 years ago

Very creative indeed.... Names Eric, and I have Asburgers Autism, and as such, social I don't know a whole lot, but I am excellent with working with my hands. I love to build and make things, and this is a very simple way to make things from duck tape, which I find to be fun. The frame will make it easier to not waist duck tape, which will be nice. I do understand money, as I have a limited amount of it my self. To help out with that, perhaps checking Amazon. Sometimes you can get bulk amounts of duck tape for a discounted price. It is not always cheep, but if you check here and there, you may find a time when it is on sale. Also Wal-Mart is a great way to get duck tape cheep. Also, perhaps try selling some of what you make. I see duck tape creations of all sorts for sell at different sites like amazon. For example, if you bought a roll of duck tape and made wallets like crazy, you could probably get 5 wallets out of the $5 dollar roll of duck tape. If you then went and sold each wallet for say $15, you would make a total of $75. Subtract the $5 for supplies and you get $70 profit. You could then use that to help get more duck tape, for both projects for your self, and sell.... as an idea. Hope you like it :). I show you were 16 when you created this page, and the last comment is 3 years old............ by my math, that should put you at about 19 years old..... give or take a few months.... either way that puts you close to my age, of 20. Being so, I am sure you have found other money saving tricks, and being around 19, you should be able to easily put in the time to make and sell duck tape products for extra money. Also, that should make it a little easier to find a job. On that note, I will say a few prayers to help you out with that. Any way hope this helped out some. Feel free to reply as you wish. Eric.

horselove36 13 years ago

Awesome! I have made a prom dress and have a few suggestions. First, if you have the money, you can buy fabric too. Once you have made one side of a sheet, back it with fabric. Much more comfortable. You don't need a frame to make a sheet, if you have steady hands. Simply lay the tape on the floor sticky side up, then press fabric over it. This enables you to make bigger sheets. Also, if you have the money and a second tee shirt, you can make a body-cast. Put on the tee shirt and wrap your entire torso, mid-thighs to a bit up your neck. cut up the back of your cast. Now, tape it back together, fill with stuffing, and presto! a body-cast to make sure your fit is right. Last suggestion is that there is a brand of tape called Duck tape, and they make every color of the rainbow, plus zebra print, leopard print, flames, camo, reflective, patterns, etc. You can really go crazy!
P.S. my dress took about 15 hours to complete.

imshanedulong 13 years ago

I like the idea of backing it in fabric! It would be a lot cheaper. The only problem with brand name duct tape is it's expensive. I'm kinda cheap. I actually already thought of the body cast but like i said I ran out of tape. I was going to include it. and the reason I used the frame is to avoid mishaps, which waist tape, which costs money. Thanks!

horselove36 13 years ago

No problem. There is a store near me called Style and Grace that might start selling my colored woven purses. Duct tape is such an unusual thing, people want to buy creations. My friends and family also bought, and I've made a few hundred dollars. It's really worth a shot, if you have time.