Introduction: How to Make a Purse Out of a Dance Dance Revolution Dance Pad
If you find yourself with a dead Dance Pad like I did, you can make it into a purse. And you get to check out the guts which are pretty cool.
Step 1: Collect All the Stuff You'll Need
Go to a fabric store and pick out a cool style for your purse. Since the dance pad vinyl is pretty thick and inflexible, and you will have to turn the purse inside out to finish it, keep that in mind. Look for patterns made for stiff fabric / leather.
The pattern won't tell you this, but get some sheet foam, like an automotive headliner from the fabric store and use it as interfacing. It helps the dance pad vinyl look less wrinkly.
You'll need sharp scissors and a sewing machine. Depending on the style you choose you might need some zippers or similar fastener hardware.
Step 2: Cut Up the Dance Pad
Cut off the binding along the edge to separate the layers. Save the top vinyl layer and do something interesting with the rest of it. You can see what the insides look like here on my blog: Liz Revision DDR Purse.
Step 3: Smooth Out the Wrinkles
If you have a heat gun, use it to flatten out the wrinkles. A hair dryer will probably work too. Either way just be careful so you don't melt it.
Step 4: Cut Out the Front and Back Panels of Your Purse
I thought it would be cool to have "Cool!" on the front so this is how I chose to cut out the pieces.
Step 5: Cut Out the Lining
If your pattern involves pockets cut them out now too.
Step 6: Cut Out the Foam Interfacing
It should be the same as the dance pad pattern you cut out.
Step 7: Sew the Foam to the Dance Pad and Sew the Lining and Pockets
I didn't read far enough ahead, but you're supposed to sew the lining together separately. And if you have pockets involved you sew them to the lining before you sew the lining into the purse.
Here I'm just sewing the foam and the lining and the dance pad all together.
Step 8: Sew the Straps
Depending on your pattern you may have straps or a strap.
Step 9: Attach the Straps
Step 10: Attach the Zipper
Step 11: Attach the Lining and Sew the Edges of the Back Together
I forgot to take a picture of the sewn bottom corners, but I think you can imagine what it would look like since it's an inside-out version of the next step....
Step 12: You're Done!
Turn it inside-out, and you're done!
I also make tech jewelry as Zelle, electronic music as Quantazelle, and a bunch of other stuff. Here's my blog: Liz Revision.
14 Comments
11 years ago on Introduction
Awesome! Now I can get rid of my old dance pad without having to trash it and feel bad! Woot.
11 years ago on Step 12
One word: AWESOME!!!!
12 years ago on Introduction
That's neat. I'll have to beg my parents for a dance pad so I can make one for my friend.
12 years ago on Introduction
Interesting!
13 years ago on Introduction
This is so cool! Just one question: what pattern did you use for the bag? :O
13 years ago on Introduction
Very cool reuse for those pads. I was a fan of the ones RedOctane made with the thick foam insert myself.
13 years ago on Introduction
Oh man! I just got rid to two of these. Broken ones. Bummer. I'll be l=passing this on though, what a fun idea and a great conversation piece!
13 years ago on Introduction
Best purse ever!!!!!
13 years ago on Introduction
sweet idea! where'd you get the video game candy?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Fractalspin -- candy section
thanks!!
13 years ago on Introduction
:D
Great job, this looks amazing!
13 years ago on Introduction
lol.
Had to say that....
Looks good!
13 years ago on Introduction
dude bitchen
13 years ago on Introduction
Whoa, neat! Great job.