Amanda Knapp
Upcycling is a great way to breathe new life into old items. In this case, we'll be transforming a punctured basketball into a sports bag. This DIY project requires a few tools and materials, such as a basketball, a zipper, a cutter, key rings, rubber glue, and a leather belt. The process involves carefully cutting open the basketball, installing the zipper, and adding straps or handles. With some creativity and patience, you can create a unique and functional basketball bag that showcases your love for the sport.
Characteristics and Values Table for Sewing a Basketball Bag
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Old basketball, volleyball, soccer ball, beach ball, football, leather belt, long zipper, rivets, key-chains, neoprene glue, strap, sandpaper |
| Tools | Long mighty needle, tailor's scissors, metal finger cap, screwdriver, knife/cutter, puncher, scissors |
| Skills | Basic sewing, sewing through leather or rubber, lots of time and patience |
| Process | Cut a clean straight line on top of the basketball, stick the zipper with glue, make holes and attach key-rings, clean the surface with sandpaper, stitch the zip and belt |
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What You'll Learn
Cut a clean, straight line on top of the basketball
To cut a clean, straight line on top of the basketball, you will need a basketball, a cutter, and a new blade. You will also need a strap, a zipper, key-rings, rubber glue, and sandpaper, but these are not directly related to cutting the basketball.
Firstly, get a new blade for your cutter. This is important, as you want to ensure a clean and straight cut. Mark out the two points on the ball along the line of symmetry or the 'equator' of the ball, which are equal in distance from any two sides of the ball. This will ensure that your cut is straight.
Now, carefully cut along the line you have marked. Make sure your cut is about 2 centimetres longer than the length of the zipper you will be using. This will give you enough space to work with when attaching the zipper. Take your time with this step, as you want to ensure a straight and precise cut.
Once you have cut along the marked line, you can move on to the next steps of attaching the zipper and creating your basketball bag.
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Stick the zipper
Now it's time to stick the zipper. First, with your basketball flipped inside out, place the zip upside down on the slice and decide which side to work on first. Keep the zip closed and use duct tape to keep it in place temporarily. Next, put a generous amount of Neoprene (rubber) glue on one side of the zipper and on the inner surface it will be attached to. Use a flat tool to spread the glue (keep your fingers clean). Wait 10 minutes before sticking both surfaces together. Repeat the process with the second part of the zipper and wait 30 minutes. You can use something to keep everything together while it dries.
Now, starting with an inch before the beginning of the cut, push your needle into the ball and align the teeth of the zip properly with the cut's edge (remember, it's still upside down). Sew all the way up to the other point, regularly checking for alignment and appearance from the other side. Sew an additional inch further, as done on the other side. Hold the zip together and cut off any excess.
Now it's time to start with the other side. Open the zip fully and start sewing from the side where the lock of the zip is, otherwise, you might end up collecting some zip on one side which will cause problems. Do everything similarly and make a few stitches at the end of the zip to fix it properly.
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Make holes for the key rings
To make holes for the key rings, you will need a sharp tool, such as a screwdriver, knife, or cutter. You will also need a ruler or measuring tape to ensure the holes are the correct distance apart.
First, decide where you want the holes to go. One source suggests making the holes about 2 cm above the middle line of the basketball. Another source recommends marking out the two points on the ball along the line of symmetry or the 'equator' of the ball, which are equal in distance from any two sides. This will ensure that your bag is symmetrical and that the weight is evenly distributed when you carry it.
Next, use your sharp tool to carefully puncture the basketball and create the holes. Make sure the holes are big enough for the key rings to fit through—about 2 cm wide. If you are using a knife or cutter, be very careful not to cut yourself or damage the basketball.
Once the holes are made, you can slide the key rings through. Stop once they are halfway through, so the rubber is squeezed in the ring, and you have a firm grip on the basketball.
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Sew the zip and flip the ball
Now that you have your basketball and zipper ready, it's time to sew the zip and turn the ball into a functional bag.
First, make sure your basketball is flipped inside out. Place the zip upside down on the slice, and decide which side you want to start sewing from. Keep the zip closed and use duct tape to temporarily hold it in place.
Next, push your needle into the ball about an inch before the beginning of the cut. Align the teeth of the zip with the cut's edge, ensuring the zip is still upside down. Sew all the way up to the other end, regularly checking for alignment and appearance from the other side. Sew about an inch further on this side, then cut off any excess zip.
Now, open the zip fully and start sewing from the same side where the zip lock is located. Sew towards the other side, enclosing all raw edges. Remember to keep the zip open during this step to avoid any issues.
Once you've sewn both sides of the zip securely, it's time to flip the ball back to its normal position. Stitch around the zip to secure the zip's lock in place. You can also stitch the end of the zip a few times to fix it properly and ensure it doesn't come loose.
Your basketball bag is now functional, with a secure zip closure!
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Stitch around the zip and attach the strap
Now that you have glued the zipper to the basketball, it's time to stitch around it and attach the strap.
First, flip the basketball inside out and place the zip upside down on the slice. Decide which side you want to work on first and keep the zip closed. Use duct tape to keep the zip in place temporarily. Starting an inch before the cut, push your needle into the basketball and align the teeth of the zip with the cut's edge. Sew all the way up to the other point, regularly checking for alignment and appearance from the other side. Sew an inch further, then cut off any excess zip.
Now, open the zip fully and start sewing from the side where the lock of the zip is. Move the zipper pull halfway down the teeth before you start so you don't bump it with your needle. Stitch alongside the zipper teeth with a sewing machine with a zipper foot. Start the needle about 0.64-1.6 cm from the edge and use a few basic straight stitches. Backstitch back to the start to secure the thread, then slowly work down the length of the zipper.
After sewing the zip, stitch around it to limit the zip's lock. Don't sew on the basketball, but only on the cloth around the zip end.
Next, attach the strap. If you're using a leather belt, find the rivets and punch holes in the belt on the edges with a puncher or something pointy and sharp. Cut off any excess fibres coming out from the hole. Pierce the basketball about a centimetre away from the zip's end and push the screw through from the inside of the ball until you see it from the outside. Put the belt on and tighten the rivet.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a basketball (or similar-sized ball), a strap, a zipper, a cutter, key rings, rubber glue, sandpaper, and a leather belt.
Use a cutter to make a clean, straight line on top of the basketball. Make sure the cut is about 2cm longer than the zipper. Use sandpaper to remove unwanted logos and excess glue.
Put glue on one side of the zipper and the inner surface of the basketball. Wait 10 minutes, then stick both surfaces together. Do the same with the other side of the zipper and wait 30 minutes.
Make two small holes about 2cm wide above the middle line of the basketball. Slide the key rings through the holes and stop once they are halfway through. Take the leather belt and punch holes in it. Attach the belt to the basketball by piercing the ball about 1cm from the zip's end and forcing the screw through the hole.
