Fusing Plastic Bags - Waterproof Material

I came across this idea while browsing through Tipnut.com, and I wanted to give it a try; especially since my plastic grocery bag stock was overtaking the enormous box I keep them in.

The idea is to fuse your bags together to make a thicker, durable layer, which can then be turned into a waterproof lining for all sorts of things. 

Here's how to do it:

Fusing Plastic Bags Tutorial

Materials Needed:

- Plastic Bags (thin, flimsy ones work the best - I prefer Macey's)

- Iron

- Parchment paper, freeezer paper, or regular paper

Note: Be sure to do this outside if possible, or on a nice day when you can open your windows or door, to avoid potentially brain-damaging fumes.

Step 1:

- Flatten out the bags

- Trim the bottom seams

- Trim the handles

Step 2:

- Open the bags completely, and smooth out

- Layer bags on top of each other

Fusing works best when you have between 6-8 layers, so you will need to pile 3-4 bags on top of each other, or you can pile 2 bags, and then fold them in half.

The ink on the bag will come off and make a big mess if exposed on the outside, so either turn the bags inside out, or make sure that 2 inked surfaces face eachother on the inside.

Step 3:

- Sandwich plastic bags between paper

- Turn on your iron (I put mine on #4 out of 6, you'll have to experiment).

- Iron on top of the paper; keeping it moving constantly

You will need to iron each 'section' for about 10-15 seconds, then flip the paper and do it on the other side.

Corners and edges may need some extra time - but do not overdo it, or the bags will shrink, warp, and/or littles holes will burn through.

- Peel a corner of the paper back to see if the plastic is fused together; it should appear as one piece.

Step 4:

- Cut around the raw edges to make a smooth one

Uses:

You can use these to make all sorts of things.  Some ideas from Tipnut:

- re-usable grocery totes

- wallets

- floor cushions

- waterproof linings for beach bags and makeup clutches

I am planning on making some waterproof bed-liners and baby bibs.

Want to see how it turned out?  Click here for an example