Upcycling Expert - Annie Temmink

Annie Temmink

Annie completed her BA in sculpture and math from Davidson College in North Carolina, and received a Thomas J Watson Foundation Fellowship to travel independently for twelve months studying fashion and textiles.  From Indonesia to Japan, India to Uganda and Tanzania, she worked with village women, dove through sprawling second-hand markets and explored fashion in the world’s biggest cities and smallest towns.  The scope of her studies took her from preparing plants for organic dyes to exploring the factories that produce clothing for brand name stores.

Much of Annie’s inspiration comes from common or unwanted materials whose wide availability sparked her interest in recycling materials six years ago. Now she transforms repurposed clothing into sculpture for solo exhibitions and larger installations. Her work catches attention including that of trend forecasting companies in New York and private collectors on the east coast. Annie looks forward to blogging about her experiences and showing you how to create fabulous projects (clothing, jewelry and beyond) with materials from Goodwill.

Annie currently designs and makes clothing and accessories (and dances like-a-fool) in Charlottesville, Virginia. To learn more and to see Annie's projects visit: www.artemmink.com

Back-to-School Bag

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Sep 4, 2013 12:53:00 PM

back to school bagI remember starting college with my high school backpack but wanting something a little smaller and lighter to carry around campus.  If you want to give your backpack a new look or want a great messenger bag for school take a look at Goodwill’s bag selection and try this upcycling project.  You’ll have fun customizing your bag and enjoy something fresh and new for the school year (minus the fresh price tag.)

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • A backpack from Goodwill
  • A d-ring buckle belt from Goodwill
  • A strap from another bag/suitcase
  • A small piece of canvas or other fabric for the front of your bag
  • Sewing Machine Optional: reflective ribbon
back to school bag1. First separate the backpack into sections by removing the middle zipper and the front pocket at the seams.

2. Next create the front pocket of your bag. Measure your fabric to be an inch larger on each side than the small front pocket you removed in step 1.  Press the edges of your fabric under by one inch and cut down the center.

back to school bag3. Attach the zipper you removed in the first step to the middle of your fabric (it will be too long, but cut it to fit once you have sewn the zipper in place).

back to school bag4. If you’d like, add reflective trim by sewing over the zipper-canvas seam.

5. Sew the bottom corners at an angle, and consider adding decorative trim over the top edge of your bag to clean up any uneven edges.  I used striped fabric for this.
 
6. Pin and sew your front pocket down to the front of your bag.
 
back to school bag7. Cut two pieces of ribbon, or use a portion of the belt you found at Goodwill to make attachments for both of your d-ring shoulder strap rings.
 
back to school bag8. Next undo a two-inch section of the zipper cover on each side of your bag where you will attach the shoulder strap.
 
back to school bag9. Attach the rings you made in step 7 on each side of the bag. Then reattach the zipper in both places.

10. Finally sew the back of the backpack onto your back to school bagnew bag (remove the backpack shoulder straps first!)

11.Now simply clip on your shoulder strap and you are finished.

Enjoy your new bag, the new life you’ve given to an old backpack, and the community members you support by shopping at Goodwill.

Topics: back to school tips, upcycle, Annie Temmink, back to school projects