The plastic bag hoodie: How to fuse plastic bags and sew them into a hoodie

I was inspired to make this Instructable by two things. 1. my lack of a rain jacket and 2. a project by maker bre who use to do weekend project for MAKE: magazine

So one rainy Saturday night I was running thought downtown with my friends to get out of the rain. i was wearing my favorite zip-up hoodie and when we got into a near by Starbucks I thought ,in my sopping wet hoodie "this does not work, this does not work at all"
Now at this point one of friends suggested we should have brought ponchos but I hate ponchos. So when I got home I found this weekend project on fusing plastic bags. So thus was born

The plastic bag hoodie.

Now you don't have to make a hoodie, you could make any thing you want. A wallet, a camera case, a parachute or even a rocket ship!!!!! (OK so I don't really recommend the last two but if your heart says yes go for it! _{but I'm not responsible} )

Why is this instructable "green"? well billions of groceries bags are used every day and they serve a good purpose, to get your groceries home. But the humble grocery bag is used for how long? on average five minutes at most. So let it be reborn into something new and better. Not many people ever get to recycling their plastic bags. Also it takes less energy to make than reprocessing the plastic bag recycling plant or buying a raincoat made in gigantic factory or sweat shops .So this instructable

1. Saves plastic bags from slowly decomposing in landfills.

2. Keeps you nice and dry

3. Saves you money

4. saves energy

5. And it's easy!

6. it's freeeeee!!!!!


by the way this is the first time I've used a sewing machine (but i was going for the Frankenstein look)

also makes a cool original gift!

Step 1 The materials

The materials you will need are

1. A lot of plastic bags, grocery, garbage, any thing you can get your hands on but try to recycle (target bags work great) I used garbage bags that didn't fit in my garbage can

2. Thread, any kind should do

3. Wax, parchment , or even printer paper (2 pieces)

4. Newspaper

Comments

[St Jimmy]

If you are only making a small object (a card case for my Magic cards), could you skip the sewing and instead fuse at right angles along the seam?

[imrobot]

maybe but I'm not sure if I follow what you are saying

[St Jimmy]

I mean place two sheets against each other at right angles (one flat and one pointing down) and fuse with the iron. Also, I tried it, and it isn't strong, but it worked. Also also, I found that anything thicker than five layers (2 and a half bags) was too thick and got holes in it and didn't fuse properly

[imrobot]

interesting, if you don't mind I'm going to feature your comment, it's got some great info!

[St Jimmy]

Cool man, thanks!

[cool2000]

Is the white part ( made from white grocery bags) see through?

[tavetski2701]

very Nice project- I really really like the simple balack and white contrast .. and the skinny sleeves. overall and awesome design!

[imccann1]

or, you could skip ALL of the steps and use Duct tape.

[blodefood]

I have seen duct tape used to excellent effect. The only problem is that, especially in hot weather, the adhesive tends to get gummy and squishes out from under the tape. Besides, this project uses items that would otherwise be thrown away.

[imccann1]

ok but, who would wear a hoodie in hot weather? seriously? people only wear them when it's cold or raining...just sayin'

[imrobot]

see this. And read about 6 or 7 comments down (the cowscankill bit).  great minds think alike

[imccann1]

cool! i wonder how people would react if i wear one to school?

[nkudlesky]

mine has a steam and dry fill button which one do i choose or does that not matter?

Thanks very much..

[imrobot]

I didn't use steam. but try watching this It may clear thing up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB1mE8e35UY

[zac_9687]

do you think it would be possible to put a layer of paper or something in between the parts and fuse the seams instead of sewing? i think it would look kinda interesting if it was all fused instead of sewn. just gotta make sure you dont fuse everything shut lol

[sir_h_c]

can you fuse the plastic bags to cloth? I'm thinking fuse it to the backside of cloth to be used for beach bags, lined shopping bags, laptop protectors, other applications where water resistant cloth could be utilized...

[dekeallali]

you can, but its not permanent. water and movement will detach the plastic from fabric quickly.

[sir_h_c]

hmmm, maybe I will try a more loosely woven cloth. Hopefully if the plastic penetrates somewhat into the fabric/binds with the threads then it won't seperate. Or maybe a slightly fuzzy fabric? Thanks

[zac_9687]

or.. just sew a layer of fabric to the layer of plastic. youre sewing it anyway. should stay that way. water, movement, no problem

[dekeallali]

Probably your best bet would be to use a synthetic fabric, or a mixed fiber fabric, that way when you attempt fusing the plastic, it will bind to the plastics already woven into the fabric completely (something like polyester or acrylic) but iron on a warm setting so as not to melt the fabric. This may or may not work, i guess in my head - in theory - it should.

[imrobot]

it may curl cuase it shrinks a bit if you pin it in it probably won't curl. hm... try it!

[ilpug]

I like this... I want to make an entire suit of this stuff! how warm is it?

[imrobot]

to be honest, not very. It could be because I gave it a frankenstein-ed took patching small bits together, but I'd still suggest some kind of lining

[ilpug]

Huh... I wonder if i shredded the bags up and put them between two pieces of the bag "cloth" if that would work like a down jacket.

[pyromonkey]

Very cool idea! Dunno if Ill ever make the hoodie, but I will make tons of stuff out of the fused plastic! :)

[PKTraceur]

 LOVE the instructable, (as with all your 'ibles,) but,

I have no idea how to use a sewing machine, and my hand sewing is... sub-par. (It wouldn't hold together for more than 3-4 wears.)

[imrobot]

well this was my first time using a sewing machine so it's worth a shot. btw do you mind voting for my other 'ible ?

thanks

[PKTraceur]

 Hmm... Ill try and screw around with mine.

Also, I need mass bags. Where? (I used up about 20 bags for 4.5 sheets...)

*voted

[beehard44]

ask around your neighborhood
i'm sure they got old shopping bags laying around

[cowscankill]

Finished it ;)

www.instructables.com/id/100-Authentic-Duct-Tape-Hoodie-110-yards-of-duc/

[Bodey77]

Ive seen zippers in walmart that would probably be your best bet

[cowscankill]

I am almost done with the duct tape hoodie and I must say... IT IS NOT COMFORTABLE LOL!

[imrobot]

ohh.... bummer i guess it's good for emergency though, and of course, looking good! lol

[cowscankill]

Well I found out that parts of it were too large, so after tailoring it, I got it to fit well. The only problem now I that I have NO clue on how to make the hood. Your 'ible, sadly, does not help me D:

[imrobot]

it is two rectangles. sew top and one side. finished hood!

[cowscankill]

:O! That is much simpler than what I have been looking for! Thanks! (time to test it!)

[cowscankill]

I might make a duct tape hoodie. Should I post?

[imrobot]

for sure!

[cowscankill]

Wait a sec.. on your chart for hoodie sizes, is the seam allowance already in the measurements?

[imrobot]

honestly not sure...