Green Holiday Crafting {Fused Plastic Bags} & You

I have an obsession that I just have to share.  Have you heard of fusing plastic using grocery bags?  Have you tried it?  I am addicted to it and have made oodles of little make-up bags and things with it.  I just can't get enough of it.  It's like creating your own plastic fabric.

        

I have lots of little holiday ideas to share with you this season.  Starting with gift bags that have endless uses (plus will hold stocking stuffer treats).  All you need are a bunch of plastic grocery bags, parchment or wax paper, scissors and an iron (and ironing board).

This little bag here is sort of the alternative to a traditional holiday stocking, so the recipient can continue to use it all year, in all of its green crafted glory ;)

        

I began my project by fusing plastic together.  There is a great video tutorial for fusing plastic bags that you should watch, right here.  I am not responsible if you burn something or hurt yourself, so pretty please, be careful ;) - and make sure you do this in a well ventilated area.

What you need are eight layers of plastic grocery bags, that you sandwich between parchment paper (or wax paper), and then iron with a hot iron on each side.  Make sure you sandwich the plastic between parchment or wax paper, or you will have a mess of melted plastic on your iron and board.

What I do is cut off the bottoms and handles of 4 grocery bags, which makes them able to open up to a bigger size...

        

To get this grayish/beige color I used brown and white plastic bags.  Make sure to turn your bags with print inside out, after you have cut the handles and end strip off.

Then put your eight layers of plastic in between your paper.

   

Start to iron your plastic over the paper, evenly.  And here is where my tips get important.  The first time I tried this I found out that, it took longer than expected to fuse the plastic together even though my iron was on the hottest setting.  But, test this, as your iron might be calibrated differently than mine. 

Also, the plastic will shrink more than expected, so don't be surprised at that because I was ;)

You may have to iron both sides more than once.  That is a-okay.  I just keep flipping it over and ironing until it is fused.  And trust me, you will know when it is fused.  It will be one solid piece of plastic fabric that will make you so happy you will have to do an Irish jig right there and then.

You should have no bubbles between your layers (you WILL have wrinkles here and there though, that is normal).

 

You can check it over and over as you iron, just be careful because the plastic is hot.

When you are done, you are left with this -

   

Bendable, sewable, cuts like butter - plastic fabric...

I folded my fused piece in half, sewed three sides together with the zigzag setting on my sewing machine, then trimmed the edges with scalloped scissors.  I also added a little hanging loop on the side, made from the scraps I trimmed off after sewing.

Once my bag was sewn and ready to be decorated, I made 3 paper flowers to embellish my bag with.  I used some other fused plastic I had made, a brown paper bag scrap and a used coffee stained coffee filter (which I rinse, save and dry after we make coffee) to make the flowers.

   

To make similar paper flowers (or snowflakes), feel free to use the paper flower tutorial I shared with you earlier in the year, right here.

        

This is how the back of my wee creation looks.  I love the print there.  It makes it look like a burlap sack in a way...

        

My goal was to make a green craft out of trash really.  Practically free, with a fabulous outcome.  Of course, you can use anything you want to embellish your gift baggie.  

You can even make an actual christmas stocking using fused plastic bags if you want.  I chose this bag, which you can add a flap or zipper to, so that my recipients can use them throughout the year.

You will love working with the fused plastic, I tell you, it is so easy and plyable to work with, I just love it.  (I have been experimenting with melting other items into the plastic as well as working on bigger projects.  You can make endless items, just as you could with regular fabric, only this is waterproof!  See example here...)

So, getting to the embellishing part.  I hot glued the 3 paper flowers to the front of this gift bag, layer by layer.

   

Then I raided my rusty things jar in order to find a centerpiece.

        

        

I chose a flattened red bottle cap, and then placed a green felt ball in the center.  I hot glued them together as well.  Pressing down on my center-piece inside and out to make sure it all stuck together well, and it did.

        

It was so easy and so much fun-

        

That I can't wait to make more!

       

After you make your gift bag feel free to print out my free handmade labels to attach to your baggies.  Don't forget, all my freebies to date, are kept in the  freebie section of my blog, that is located in the right hand side bar. 

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE PDF of sheet below (give file a few seconds to open)

        

Also, if you say howdy in the comments section of this post, I will add your name to a hat-

        

Because I will be sending this little gift bag full of wacky little things to one of you ;) - I will draw a name in a couple of days.

So, there you have it, our first fun craft for the holiday season.  And green to boot!

With that I will skedaddle, but will see you ever so soon.

♥ ,V

Comments

[Britten]

Lovely green idea, Vanessa!!! Thank you so much! And yes, handmade gifts are the best. ♥

[Teresa in California]

You are so clever! I love this plastic/paper bag. Where is everybody? ^00^
Thank you so much for the fun stuff you pass on to us bored people out here. I guess you could glue glitter on to it and punch holes for ribbons and glue your favorite doggie(s)
photos to it =) (Hopefully, people do this is a well ventilated area, just in case of toxic odors). I love your rusty things jar too.

[Nicole Gendy]

What a neat idea. I just saw on another blog today something made of fused plastic bags. I will definitely have to try this! Thanks for sharing!

[Alexis Lozano]

You're right, it does look like nive vintage faded burlap! So pretty!

[april]

absoutly fantastic, love love love this !

[jennifer w.]

There are so many wonderful elements involved in making this project. Thank you for sharing!

[karin]

What a fun idea, Vanessa, I would have never thought of using plastic bags this way. Oh, and ofcourse, when it's something you made, I love to throw my name in the hat :-)

[Lisa Oceandreamer]

I've seen this done where clutch bags were made from it too. You can also add angelina fiber (which fuses with heat)on top or below the first layer for a bit of color...even glitter. It's wonderful when new things can be created from something so ordinary. Great idea for the gift bag. This is something most of us have lying around because not all of us (me) remember to take cloth bags to the grocery...aND not all stores other than that use anything BUT plastic. Good reminder for a "green"project!
I haven't been around blogland much but trying to get back in the swing!
XOXOXOXOXO

[Molly]

That is the coolest thing I've seen all day! Although I swear if anyone catches me with a stash of plastic bags they are going to turn me in to that "hoarders" show. I've already started saving coffee filters after you mentioned it awhile back (I love using those!) and some of the other things I hang onto? Well...my mom used to call me a "bag lady" when I was a kid because I saved and carried weird things around. Guess I never got over it!

[Michelle]

oh that is fabulous!
What a too cute bag. I am off to try this, eeeh I love these sought of projects

[Elaine L.]

Very clever idea!

~elaine~

[Gerry Hook]

This is the best idea ever. Even though it is 2:47 a,m, I'll remember = and I'll make a bag or two by evening.
Thanks.

[icantsew]

wowzer, never seen or heard of it til now...thanks babe
%*_*% rosey

[Jessica]

What a wonderful idea!

[Claudia A.]

Very cute and easy. Thank you for sharing.

[LindaSonia]

Howdy!! I especially love that the fusing process will compel you to dance a jig right then and there!! Love it!!! :)

[vivian]

wow! what a great idea! thanks for sharing this. I am going to try this right away! have a happy day!

[YSLGuy]

Vanessa, you are amazing!!! This is so wonderful.

[Robin]

I am so excited to try this. Thanks for the great post.

[Shelby Lynn Eagleburger]

I didn't know that that was even possible! That's a wonderful way to keep those bags out of the land fill and make something useful and cute at the same time Thanks for all of the great Ideas, you never cease to amaze!

~ Shelby Lynn

[Beth]

Wow! I just discovered your blog and it is amazing! I'm adding you to my blog list right now! Beth

[marjorie]

♥OH! What a perfectly lovely project, indeed! I was just reading about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch this morning......ugh.....how utterly horrific! Your pretty little earth friendly tote makes me feel a little better!

[Gaia klass]

What a fun project, can't wait to try it! (and jig!) <3

[Robin Thomas]

I am looking forward to trying that. Your flower on there is really good, really, really good. Love!

[Maggi]

That is an adorable little project! So many creative possibilities there, just love it!

[Tamara]

I have seen this done before but yours are some of the prettiest I've seen so far. Thank you for your wonderfu tutorial.

[Theresa]

Wow - I should very much like to try this myself. Not only is it beautiful, but I am fascinated by its construction. Thanks for sharing that tutorial...I can be klutzy, so I shall make sure my Mr. is nearby in case of emergencies. ;) Theresa

[Boot C]

this is great. I can't wait to try it~ I even have the iron out right now, should I take that as a sign? I am glad to read about layering things too, I was wondering about that.

[Susan Erickson]

I remember Evelyn Roth used to crochet with plastic bags......huge projects. She made car cozies and clothing. She also crocheted with used video tape. Love to recycle!

[Melanie @ Whimsical Creations]

What a clever idea!! Love it!

[Poetic Dreams]

Love making these bags, Haven't made some in awhile. What an easy way to embellish them. Hope ya day is going well. Hugs~Poetic Dreams

[Lauren S.]

Very cute! :) I will have to give this a try.

[Cori. G]

Dear Fanciful V.,

You never cease to amaze me with all your crafty wonderments and creativity. And to think, I was just about to toss all those bags in the garbage, but this looks like too much fun!!!
Happy Monday sweet girlfriend. Now I'm off to work ;-).

Big Love

[Lisa]

So, I got sucked in with all the tutorials (felt a bit like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole ;-) ) - I love your magpie chandelier - and the flowers! I'm obsessed with flowers, so I definitely plan to do some experimenting. The wrist corsages are so fun and adorable, I'm just itching to make, make, make!

Oh yeah, this all started with your post about the fused plastic project.... Thanks so much!!!

[Kaerie Faerie]

so fun, you are the Queen of Craft Fantasy
LOL
Karey

[Rebecca]

Such a cute Idea ~ Thanks so much for sharing!

[Candace]

Good idea, and thanks for the tip, too. I especially enjoy those flowers! Those will definitely be used in a variety of ways... a couple of birthdays are coming up and I think they will be fo' shizzle on some presents.
Say, you don't want to pop Matisse in one of those stockings and send him over do you? No? well, worth a try! ;)

Have a good good week!
Candace in Athens

[Carrie]

That's amazing! I'm definitley trying that one out... Thanks for sharing! :)

[Cassandra]

I've heard about these, but had never seen them! Thanks for the ideas. I'm thinking of making these for all my nieces and nephews for the holidays!

[tweets2457@aol.com]

Fabulous idea, Vanessa! Think of all the plastic bags that Won't go to the landfill! So sweet of you to offer a giveaway, too! Have a special day! Twyla

[Tracy Martinez]

OH SWEET!! I can't wait to try it. I have tons of plastic bags that I just can't throw out. Thanks for the great idea!
Tracy M.

[Kathleen]

OOOOOHHHH!!!!my grocery store hands out colored bags to match the seasons: orange at halloween. pink at Easter, sometimes, a pretty blue. I save them all the time because of the colors ! This would be a great way to use them. I love it !

[Denise]

You're the best at sharing fabulous ideas! I will definitely try this out :)
Denise

[Meghann]

Oh! See, now THIS is genius! The whole time I was thinking that I could use this to package my jewelry in when I sent it out to a new client! It is pretty, and recycled!
Genius, just genius.
Thank you SO much!!

[Lorraine]

Howdy - Love what you made! Adding this to my list of things to try!

[Sue]

Hmmm, this is very intriguing. I need to grab some plastic bags, head to the studio, fire up my iron, and ... play!

[SueAnn]

Cool idea....I will give it a go!!! Your example is adorable!!! Definitely throw my name into that hat!!
Hugging you
SueAnn

[Rachel]

How pretty! And I love that you save and rinse your coffee filters. Oh to be that creative first thing in the morning...

[harem6]

we loved your photos with the flowers!!!they gave us a feeling of quiet...great job!

[harem6art]

we loved your photos with the flowers!they give us a feeling of quiet...great job!