Make a Poufy Skirt Out of Garbge Bags and Duct Tape

When faced with the prospect of a party theme of "Anything But Clothes," instead of going for the naked look, I went for the pretty, poufy, princess look instead.  I have never felt prettier in a dress, even though it was made out of garbage bags and duct tape!

Step 1: Collect Materials

For this project you will need:
-scissors
-duct tape
-roll of clear garbage bags
-clear scotch tape

Step 2: Make Waistband

Measure around your waist where you want the skirt to sit.  I made mine to sit at my natural waist but where ever you want is fine.  Take that measurement and add 4 inches and cut 3 pieces of duct tape to that length.
Lay the pieces of duct tape next to each other sticky side up.  Overlap them by about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch and make sure they are securely stuck together.  You should now have a wider band of duct tape.  This is the waistband of the skirt.

Step 3: Attach the Plastic Bags

To make the poufy skirt, start with one clear plastic bag.  I used the kind that are for smaller garbage cans.  Cut the bottom off of the bag and open it up so you now have a plastic tube.  Hold it flattened out to the tube forms a rectangle with two open sides and two attached sides.  Start on one of the attached sides, stick the corner of the rectangle to the bottom 1/2 inch of the duct tape.  Continue to attach the side of the tube to the duct tape, gathering (making little folds to it gets scrunched up) as you go.  When you have the entire side of the bag attached to the duct tape, it should look like the 7th picture below.  The bottom of the skirt should be connected and the two open sides of the bag should be on either side.  Continue adding bags along the base of the duct tape until you get to the end.
When you have the first layer done, start again right above the first row of bags to add another layer to the skirt.  Continue adding layers of bags until you have a bout an inch and a half of sticky duct tape left and the top.  Cut another piece of duct tape the same length of the waistband and line it up with the top edge of the waistband with the bags attached to it.  Stick the two sticky sides of the duct tape together so that the duct tape wont stick to you when you wear the skirt!

Step 4: Finish Up the Skirt

Now its time to try it on!  Wrap the skirt around your waist and fasten it using another piece of duct tape in the same color.  Check for any spots that the bags are too open and use the clear scotch tape to hold them together so you don't show anything you don't want to show!  Fluff up the plastic bags to maximize the pouf factor.
Enjoy your night as a plastic bag princess!


I made the top by wrapping PVC tape around my torso.  It sticks to itself but nothing else, so it works well for making clothes.