DIY Tarp Cover Made From Feed Sacks

Here is another useful project that was made from something that would have been tossed into the trash. In the last 5 years I have noticed a lot of our Livestock & Pet's Feed sacks are all made of Tarp Like Material with great graphics. I began saving the bags for future projects because I knew there was something I can make besides shopping bags.

I searched Instructables and Google for anything made besides shopping bags & purses from these feed sacks and the search result showed next to nothing.

This feed sack project idea came about when I needed a tarp to cover some hay temporarily. It was a great way to learn how to use this material, in turn this project has given me some ideas for future projects, projects that will include their graphics. We have a small farm and we buy our livestock & pet products from Tractor Supply Store. Sense we shop there at least once a week I don't have a problem of not having enough feed sacks for my future projects.

What I liked about this project is it was basically free the only thing I had to buy was sewing thread. If your into being GREEN and Saving the Environment or just Saving Money this project is for you.

Step 1:

Tools & Material Needed:

Feed Sacks (I used 15 sacks to get a 91"x195" Tarp)
Dish Washing Soap & Scrubbing Brush
Sewing Machine
Sewing Machine Needles for heavy material
2 Outdoor UV Resistant Sewing Thread (Walmart)
Scissors
Several Clips

A LOT of elbow-room
You can Do this Project by yourself but it will be a lot easier if you recruit a helper

Comments

[vconery]

YOUR RIGHT HARDLY ANYTHING WAS ON INTERNET AB OUT USING FEED BAGS EVCEPT BAGS THANK YOU WOW

[diymentality]

I used 6 # test fishing line ~(don't forget to fill your bobbins), made 'blue jean' seams to connect the sheets and added grommets every foot around 'hemmed' (fold over the edges 1/2 inch bigger than your grommet) edge. weatherproof and strong! as of today, feb.5 2013 i have been using my original tarp for 2 years to cover my tent camping and outside during winter (MI) covering my boat. it is moderately sun faded but still very strong. made a few since but i am currently working on a 'car port' for a '74 veedub. hope something helps

[katherine1331]

if you don't mind a bit of a smell you can even iron the seams and melt the plastic to make the seams a little stronger and more water resistent

[MrE]

Does it leak at the seams?

[spottedwalker]

Sorry MrE for being late. My Laptop quit working got a new one. Yes On my DIY Shelter Kennel Cover From Feed Sacks it did leak a little after a big rain. My plan tarp had a slight leak because it was not stretched tight like the one for the kennel. We fixed it by giving it a small bead of silicone caulk on the seams. I wouldn't put the caulk on until the tarp has been stretched out for a few days.

[Gottadoit2ya]

Hi all, this my first post , I recently discovered by trial & error that you can use that supa glue that you get at the elcheapo shop for $2 for 8 tubes to plastic weld certain types of fabric style plastics . I managed to make several waterproof joins using old street banners , I got about 1 foot out of each tube , & had to do a 1 inch wide squiggle , then spread it out or flatten it with a scraper to create a wide seal . It all depends on the properties of the plastic / vinyl & the glue . Experiment with any glues on different plastics , Plastic model glues , plastic crafts / leather bonding agents etc, Be sure to do small test patches & do it outside, as some combinations can be combustable ( Be Careful ) Generally the more nasty smelling the better , good luck .

[MrE]

Does it leak at the seams?

[CaseyCase]

Would overlapping the individual bags a bit and fusing them together with an iron be a possible option for those of us without mad sewing machine skills?

[grunthos]

I tried fusing some bags like this with the iron. It didn't work for me. The bags shrunk up and warped even before it was hot enough to fuse together. Sewing seems to be necessary if you aren't going to heat the entire plastic sheet.

[mgrunwel]

Technically this material is fabric so the best option is going to be sewing.

I don't think an iron would work. Even if the iron gets hot enough to melt the plastic, it will also weaken the area around the seam unless you can precisely control the heat (which an iron won't do).

You might be able to find a glue which will give you a strong bond but it will end up being very stiff along the seams and prone to breaking (especially in the cold.

Ò_ó

[thirst4know]

Excellent. I have seen many use this technique to make interesting bags/packs. I have some cat food sacks I am saving to make ???

[JKPieGuy]

Good way to recycle and to save some money so that you won't be buying new tarps, plus you can now make any size tarp that you desire! :)

[q.piper]

Good idea! I save all the plastic feed sacks (recycle the paper ones) and open them up for little "mini tarps" but it never occurred to me to stitch them together.

[gimanabisa]

I'll try to do it myself, thanks instructables..

[thedestroyer]

If you're still looking for ideas for feedbags (this is an awesome one btw) look up earthbag buildings. you can save up a whole bunch, fill them with dirt, and use them to build small things like a garden shed, or big things like a house. There's even a few instructables about them. My husband and i have been collecting feedbags from multiple farmers in our area for over a year now. we have access to a baler and bale them when we get enough. we're collecting to build our dream zero net energy consumption house, and we want to spend less than $1000 dollars out of pocket for construction by utilizing as much recycled and repurposed items as possible while building. the feedbags are a big part of that. great instructable!

[l8nite]

great recycling idea !