Thanks for the positive response to my earlier Instructable, the "Capri Sun Wallets," which can be found here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Capri-Sun-Wallets/.
There are tons of recyclables you can use to make wallets and other fun, useful stuff. I came up with this Potato Chip Bag Wallet to combine my love of noshing and wallets. BUT - what's the secret to making the thin, slippery chip bags into a tough, durable material suitable for a wallet? The answer is FUSING the bag layers together by ironing them! You have to cover the bags, however, with a non-stick paper first so they won't harm your iron.
Have fun!
There are tons of recyclables you can use to make wallets and other fun, useful stuff. I came up with this Potato Chip Bag Wallet to combine my love of noshing and wallets. BUT - what's the secret to making the thin, slippery chip bags into a tough, durable material suitable for a wallet? The answer is FUSING the bag layers together by ironing them! You have to cover the bags, however, with a non-stick paper first so they won't harm your iron.
Have fun!
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Signing UpStep 1: Materials
Materials for one Potato Chip Bag Wallet:
One 10-1/2 oz. large potato chip bag (or any chip bag)
Two 1 oz. small potato chip bag (ditto)
Iron and ironing board
Sewing machine
Cardboard for templates
Stick-on Velcro – 3/8”
18” or so of Contact paper – the sticky type with a separate wax-like LINER that you peel off
OR – wax paper (but not as ideal to work with)
Make cardboard templates:
Back of wallet: 9-3/4” x 6-3/4” (will be folded length-wise)
Long inside pocket: 9-1/4” x 3-1/4”
Larger card pocket: 4-3/8” x 2-3/4”
Smaller card pocket: 4-3/8” x 2-3/8” (Note: in the finished photo, my small card pocket is narrower than the large pocket. However, using the same width for both pockets is easier.)
Coin purse bottom: 3-1/4” x 2-1/2”
Coin purse flap: 3-1/4” x 2-1/2” (I used the “Lay’s” logo from the small chip bag – photo)
One 10-1/2 oz. large potato chip bag (or any chip bag)
Two 1 oz. small potato chip bag (ditto)
Iron and ironing board
Sewing machine
Cardboard for templates
Stick-on Velcro – 3/8”
18” or so of Contact paper – the sticky type with a separate wax-like LINER that you peel off
OR – wax paper (but not as ideal to work with)
Make cardboard templates:
Back of wallet: 9-3/4” x 6-3/4” (will be folded length-wise)
Long inside pocket: 9-1/4” x 3-1/4”
Larger card pocket: 4-3/8” x 2-3/4”
Smaller card pocket: 4-3/8” x 2-3/8” (Note: in the finished photo, my small card pocket is narrower than the large pocket. However, using the same width for both pockets is easier.)
Coin purse bottom: 3-1/4” x 2-1/2”
Coin purse flap: 3-1/4” x 2-1/2” (I used the “Lay’s” logo from the small chip bag – photo)
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firmly, which I found difficult with just fusing. I do a lot of sewing, so it was easier f.or me that way. However, if you had a bad sealer, that might work. Thanks for your comments!
For a gift you could use chips that are only found in certain regions, then make them into wallets. I know Canada and the US have different chip varieties and showing a wallet in a flavour that we can't get here would be awesome!
Step 1, eat lots of chips!