Extreme Plastic Bag Makeover (Img Heavy!!!)

[jmesdiylounge]

Hello all!

I have been Reading the CRAFT Magazine http://craftzine.com/blog/ blog for a while now. (There is so much good stuff there!!!) The have posted so many shopping bags. But a bag by Betz White http://blog.betzwhite.com/2007/07/bag-this.html got me inspired to fuse my own plastic shopping bags.

Here are the links that helped me learn about fusing plastic bags:
Etsy Labs: http://etsylabs.blogspot.com/2007/05/long-overdue-fusing-plastic-bag.html
MAKE Magazine: http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2007/06/make_a_messenger_bag_out_1.html
Whip Up: http://whipup.net/2007/06/26/fusing-plastic-bags/

So here is my Fused Plastic Bag - Extreme Makover!!!!


Here are the steps:
1. Supplies
     
2. How to trim Bags:
                       1. Lay bag out flat.
                       2. Trim on dotted lines.
                       3. open bag & turn inside out (so the ink doesn't bleed or mess up the design).
                       4. You can leave double thickness or cut open to make one large sheet.
     
3. Make the Designs:
     
4. Note: Make sure to lay parchemt paper behind the design. Make a layer of about 6-8 thickness of plastic bags.  Also make sure no printed areas face the sides.
     
5. Cover the whole thing with parchment paper and start to press at a med-high temp.
     
6. Make sure that the bags fuse and don't leave bubble holes.
     
7. All fused up
     
8. Different types of plastic react differently to being fused.
     
9. It should have a bumpy or wrinkled texture.
     

Bag details:
I sewed the bag together in a boxed bottom style.
Finished Front
     
Inside
     
Back
     
Side
     
I added recycled shoe lace renforcing trim and handles. (the shoe laces say that they used to be a soda bottle!)
     
Plastic bag uses from Target
     
Action Shot!
     

Please let me know what you think!
Thank you for looking.

[Lydia the Strange]

That is fantastic. I am getting more and more inspired on ways to fuse plastic bags together. I think my next project I am going to try fusing pictures and letters.

Thanks!

[maasive]

It is great !!!!! I've seen this on Betz'z blog as well. You did a great job - and thanks for the tutorial

[jmesdiylounge]

Lydia I love yout bag too!

I loved fusing the bag together. It is like collaging but there is something exciting about making something beautiful from 'trash'.

Plus now I have something to do with all the plastic bags I keep.
I think I will make some for christmas gifts.

[Icemommy]

That is fantastic. I am getting more and more inspired on ways to fuse plastic bags together. I think my next project I am going to try fusing pictures and letters.

I'm thinking cutting strips and weaving patterns.

Great execution!

[decembersoflove]

this is awesome! i would use this in a heartbeat. i especially like the Target bag and the ways to reuse it.

[Jessiac_3]

That's totally awesome!!  You make it look so easy, too!  I especially liked the Joann's bag on the inside... 

Also, dumb question, but do you have a pattern that you used?  I like how it stays up by itself...it's less of a hassle for the folks at the grocery store, too!

[staciart]

Cool beans! I never thought to fuse plastic bags this way!!    I'm gonna try it tonight when weather cools down, I'm so excited! 

[jmesdiylounge]

That's totally awesome!!  You make it look so easy, too!  I especially liked the Joann's bag on the inside... 

Also, dumb question, but do you have a pattern that you used?  I like how it stays up by itself...it's less of a hassle for the folks at the grocery store, too!

Thank you. I also make square bottom bags and totes.

This is how you can do it too.



I found this tute from About.com and it makes alot of sense.
http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/totebag_5.htm

Let me know if this helps!

[geetargeek]

This is superfantastico!  I think I will make one for my school books...