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

Step 11 Please do

Please

1. Comment (I always love a great idea)

2. Post pics

3. Vote!

Thank you I will soon have a pic of the finished hoodie

Comments

[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!

[pyromonkey]

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

[Bodey77]

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

[mudler]

hey cool project i like it althought i think ill make a jacket rather than a hoodie.just replace the hood with a collar

[Koopa Troopa]

Haha instead of using a zipper use huge ziplock bag zippie things and fuse them in. rofl

[imrobot]

lol thats a pretty good idea hmmmm_,

[greensteam]

How did it work out in actual rain? It occurred to me that the seams might leak where the sewing has created holes. Commercial waterproofs have taped seams to get over that problem. Perhaps you could do the same by ironing/fusing more plastic over each seam?? Or even just ironing the whole thing again might be enough?? I like the look though. good job.

[dextersteacher]

Actually you need some air holes to let it breath, If it doesn't, it'll be raining on the inside with your sweat! Been there- I know!

[imrobot]

hmmm I think about it, and about the waterproof-ness once I get the zipper I'll tell you (but I'm pretty sure it fine, I feel the water is more likely to roll past it before getting through such a small hole)

[socalgrl]

to waterproof seams i use a thin line of clear silicone calking that comes in a little squeeze tube, use inside the jacket, and run it along the stitch line, spread and flatten with your finger or carboard . let dry. this does work, and uses up half finished tubes lying around.

[Duke Luke]

soldering the plastic sheets together instead of sewing them (as imrobot briefly mentioned) would get rid of the problem of leakage.

[imrobot]

will it stay flexible and is it expensive? thanks and don't forget to vote!

[bmlbytes]

Caulk is very flexible (its like rubber) and you can buy a tube for a few dollars at a home improvement store.

[imrobot]

hmmm i think i mean is it limp because you will want as much free movement as you can get.

[bmlbytes]

It wont restrict your movement if you only put it on the seems

[imrobot]

ahh but look the seems are everywhere! but what I'm most worried about is the seems on the arms.

[itsalladream]

I see you've never been camping in a seemingly waterproof tent before.

[imrobot]

elaborate

[itsalladream]

Well, if you look at a tent, it would seemingly be waterproof (even though some aren't, and some are supposed to be, but aren't), but give it a few minutes, and water will begin seeping in through the stitches. Also, with this, considering that it is plastic, the pastic may be prone to stretching around the threaded holes with minimal pulling against the threads. And maybe I'm wrong, but it just seems that way to me. Wrong or right, this idea could be made to work.

[imrobot]

hmmm in that case it may be wise to fuse one layer of plastic over the stitches. good point thanks imrobot

[TimTheScarecrow]

this is pretty sweet. but when you move around does it sound like a bunch of plastic bags or is it soundless like normal clothes?

[imrobot]

so it doesn't crinkle and make lots of noise it actually make about as much noise as your average rain coat.

[Prosthetics01]

You are a freaking revovultionary!! Legabdary tutorial mate!

[imrobot]

ummm.... thanks? i didn't realize that it was that amazing wow... thank you so much!

[michael J. caboose]

try to make the arms a little longer and a little wider at the end of the sleaves

[chaitanyak]

nice!!! think i'l save up enough bags to make a jumpsuit :P

[danny_livewire]

OMG... fuggin awesome man!!!

[suqzi]

you can find zippers and craft/sewing stores. loved this tutorial! i've been making wallets/notebooks out of fused plastic bags... its the most genius form of upcycling ever!