Tuesday Tute

I'll admit it....

Ashlynn showed me how to do this.

So, if you're looking for an easy peasy lemon squeezy, artsy, craftsy, environmentally friendly, thing-a-ma-bob that even the kids can do...

You've found it!

Background:

Ashlynn went over to a friend's house the other day, and came back with this little project. (Is it sad that my kids have to go over to other people's homes to learn how to do things?) Now, this friend's mom is much, much more creative, and talented than I am in the craft department so her stuff looks a whole lot cuter, but I thought this was a pretty good first try (or 5th or 6th try.) Ashlynn was so smitten by the project that she opted to do them at her birthday party...where, of course, they received rave reviews! So, I'm passing this little gem of a project on to you because, 1. It's easy, and 2. It's cheap.  Can't get much better than that.

Fused Plastic Tote Bags:

You will need:

Several plastic bags (they can be trash bags, grocery bags, etc....anything plastic)

Iron

Parchment Paper/Wax Paper

Sewing Machine (although it's really very minimal sewing!)

Embellishments (flowers, ribbon, buttons, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Take your plastics bags.  Cut the handles (grocery bag) or pull ties (trash bag) off of the bag.  Don't worry about making things even.

2.  You want several layers of plastic to fuse together, so if you're using grocery bags, just layer several bags on top of one another.  If you're using trash bags, you could fold the bags until you have the desired size you want.  I would recommend 6 to 8 layers.

3.  Turn your iron onto a low setting (start on low, but you may have to increase the temp.)

4.  Place a layer of parchment paper on your ironing board.  

5.  Place all the layers of your plastic bag on top of the parchment paper, and then cover it with another layer of parchment paper.

6.  Move the iron over all of the plastic until it is completely fused together.

Bad Fuse:  If you can still separate the layers of plastic (like when you open a trash bag) then the plastic is not completely fused together.  You probably need to turn up the heat on the iron a little bit.

Good Fuse:  None of the layers can be separated.  The plastic will be all crinkly, and have a look similar to wrinkled patent leather.

7.  Once the plastic is completely fused together, it can be cut to the size and shape you want.  For my purposes (and to make it really easy) mine was just a large rectangle.

8.  Fold over and stitch the top edges of your plastic to create a clean edge.

9.  To make things easier, I sewed the decorative ribbon, and ribbon handles on prior to sewing up the sides of my bag.

10.  With right sides together, sew up the sides of the bag.

11.  Trim the seams and clip the corners.

12.  Turn the bag right side out.

13.  Add embellisments.  I used a glue gun to glue on the bow and flowers, but they could also be stitched on.

FYI:

A.  If the iron is too hot, or you don't have enough layers in your plastics, then you will just end up will holes in the plastic bag SO....turn down the iron or add more plastic layers.  

B.  If the the sewing machine stitches don't seem to be holding, then the bag probably isn't completely fused...try sticking in back under the iron to fuse it more.  Just make sure you use your parchment to separate the sides of the bag if it's already sewn together.

C.   Try using different color plastic bags (cut in different shapes, sizes, etc.) to add decoration to your tote...just continue fusing different layers of plastic on until you have the desired look!

There you go.  Have some fun.  Do a little experimenting...and wind up with a cute little tote bag.  I keep thinking that it would be fun to do a little scripture bag with the fused plastic.  Maybe next time!!