How to Make Fused Plastic Bags

Fusing plastic bags is a great way to recycle and use up all of the bags and packaging we bring into our homes everyday. You can create a workable fabric, from the fused plastic bags, that can be used for sewing projects. Make a reusable grocery bag from your old shopping bags. Create a lunch bag, pillows for the patio or whatever else you can dream up.

Look for bags that have interesting printing and advertising for creating special novelty fabric. Plastic cereal bags, candy bags and frozen food bags offer an unusual twist. Be sure to clean the bags thoroughly before fusing the plastic.

Things You'll Need

• Assortment of plastic bags Parchment paper Iron Scissors

Instructions

1. Prepare the plastic bags by cutting off handles, removing seams and opening them into single sheets. Clean the bags thoroughly by hand or by throwing them in the washing machine. You will want all the pieces to be approximately the same size.

2. Place a sheet of parchment paper on your ironing surface. The parchment paper will not only protect your iron but also your work surface. Stack seven to eight layers of plastic on the parchment paper. Be sure to place the plastic sheet on the bottom of the stack with the printing face up. Layer the other sheets of plastic bag over it and place the top sheet of plastic face down. This will prevent the ink from making a mess once it has been heated. If you would like the words to be readable, place a clear layer of plastic over the plastic bag with the ink side up.

3. Heat your iron to an acetate or low setting to begin with. Place another piece of parchment paper over the layers of plastic. Run the iron over the plastic bags for 15 to 20 seconds. Keep the iron moving constantly.

4. Flip the layered plastic bag sandwich over and iron the other side for 15 to 20 seconds.

5. Lift a corner of the parchment paper to check your progress. If the layers are not melted together into one whole sheet, replace the parchment paper and do it again. You may need to adjust the heat setting on your iron. If holes form in the plastic, your heat is too high. You will need to discard the plastic and start over.

6. Allow the plastic to cool. Peel off the parchment paper. You can now use the fused plastic bags just like fabric---just don't iron them anymore.

Tips & Warnings

• Fusing plastic bags must be done outside or in a well ventilated room with a fan blowing the fumes out the window. The fumes are quite potent.