Cut Out + Keep | Project » Recycle Your Tesco Bags

You Will Need

- PROJECT BUDGET
- Almost Nothing

Recycle Your Tesco Bags

Recycle Your Tesco Bags
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I made this bag by fusing plastic bags together, then decorated with free hand embroidery and Applique! Pretty good for my second attempt. I tried fusing at xmas but I used to many layers so it didnt work out..

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Firstly gather your selection of plastic bags, flatten them out and cut the tops of them (save the handles for future projects or use the same method to make handles for this bag)

set the iron between polyester and rayon.
DON'T use steam function.

Set up a suitable work surface and lay down some paper.

Make sure the iron is not to hot.
Lay down a few layers of bag and place paper on top. Begin moving over the paper, evenly distributing the heat, check the bag at regular intervals.
If all goes according to plan the bags should begin fusing together. There is no set rule on layers. I used 6 layers on each side and that seemed quite sufficient. The first time I used way more and it became to thick.

I think the best way to figure this out is to experiment with the number of layers and the size of bag you want.
dont worry too much about how it looks, once you have two seperate fused sheets. join them together at the bottom with the sewing machine.

Once you have done this now you can start to think about how you are going to decorate the bag. I used felt and fabric Applique on one side and on the other Free hand embroidery.
Once you have decorated turn the other way and sew up the sides then turn out. I read somewhere that you dont have to bother about turning out. But if you are going to be careful because the threads might come a little loose.

Finally - think about handles, then sew them to the insides!! :)

Hey presto! You have something recycled that would cost you much more to buy and hardly any time to make at home!!!

People who love this project (16)

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Nataliee Not a Liee.

Jan 31, 2008 12:52am

Can you make a how-to? It looks cool!

Maybe

Jan 31, 2008 1:14am

Wow, thats so cool :)
Camera Obscura lyrics <3
x

lazylinepainterbelle

Jan 31, 2008 1:21am

Yay!! I saw Camera Obscura Last weekend and couldn't get Hey Lloyd out my head :)! x

Maybe

Jan 31, 2008 1:24am

Aww I wanted to see them in Glasgow but I don't know anyone else that likes them :(
Hey Lloyd was in my head for weeeeks the first time I heard it hehe

lazylinepainterbelle

Jan 31, 2008 1:28am

ohh no :( How could anyone not like them!!?
The twilight sad were supporting too! Both were Awesome!

Maybe

Jan 31, 2008 1:31am

I absolutely LOVE the twilight sad :D
I saw them four times last year, three times supporting Idlewild & once headlining.
Their album is so so good!!

lazylinepainterbelle

Jan 31, 2008 1:39am

Wow your a hardcore fan!
I only heard of them a week before the gig but I agree their album is so so Good! Do you have a fav song ?
Am really into 'And She would darken the memory'

Nataliee Not a Liee.

Jan 31, 2008 1:45am

Thanks!

Cat Morley

Jan 31, 2008 1:59am

I saw the Twilight Sad support Idlewild, they were alright. Really cool project.

Ryden

Jan 31, 2008 11:32am

Wow nice! Love the recycled-ness!

Roma

Feb 1, 2008 9:53am

I'm so going to listen to Hey Lloyd now.

talia k.

May 8, 2008 6:46pm

LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE
i'm going on a reuseable-shopping-bag binge as soon as the semester's over, and everybody's got such great ideas. this is amazing! can't wait to try it.