Bike Tube Headband

From CRAFT

From CRAFT

This project first appeared on the pages of CRAFT or on Craftzine.

Turn a punctured bike inner tube into a fashionable accessory.

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Watch the video on CRAFT! Upcycled accessories are fun and easy to make. Watch and learn how to make your own chain-link headband from a busted bicycle inner tube! I got this project idea from Britt McMaster, who showed us how to make a chain-link necklace from white leather over on her blog, cucumbersome.com.

Tools
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Bike Tube Headband  ¶ 

  • Gather supplies.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Cut off the tube's valve stem and slice down one side to open the tube.

  • Wash out the white powder inside the tube with soap and water. An abrasive sponge may help!

  • Watch out for goo tubes! If you live in a prickly place, you may have tubes with goo in them. In my experience, it's not worth it to try to use goo tubes for this project.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Print and cut out the paper/cardboard template.

  • Trace the template repeatedly along the length of the bike tube.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Cut out each shape until you've got a whole pile of "figure eights."

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Fold one shape in half so that the cutouts line up.

  • Insert another shape through the cutouts in the folded shape.

  • Continue chaining shapes together in this manner until your desired length is achieved.

  • To create a seamless finish, cut the last folded loop in an inconspicuous spot, thread it through the first loop and sew the cut loop back together.

For more information, check out the Recycle category page.

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This looks like a good design to try for a tank bot tread. I've been thinking for a while of a design I could use for a rubber bike tube as a tank tread.

Also might make a cool sling shot on a smaller scale.

walter, · Reply