Introduction: How to Fuse Plastic Bags Into a Laptop Case
Watch the episode here or watch below:
Step 1: Materials
You'll need:
-wax paper
-scissors
-iron
-lots of plastic bags (the crinklier the better)
-Fabric for lining (like an old sweatshirt)
Step 2: Preparing the Bags for Fusing
Cut off the handles of the bags (but save them for later). Also cut of the very bottom of the bag, getting rid of the seam.
TIP: If there are any logos on the bag, turn it inside out to keep the ink from running
Fold the bags til so there are 8 layers (folding twice will do this)
Step 3: Fusing the Bags
Open up the windows in the room you're in for ventilation and turn on your iron to a medium setting
Tear out two pieces of wax paper that are large enough to cover the plastic you're fusing.
Sandwich your plastic between the wax paper and begin ironing the wax paper, keeping it moving at all times. Iron each side for 20-30 seconds.
Remove the plastic from the wax paper and check for bubbles in the plastic which will lead to holes and tearing down the road for your laptop case.
Repeat this step for about 10 bags
TIP: You can also fuse logos from plastic bags onto your fused plastic
Step 4: Sewing Together the Plastic Bags
Start by "truing" up the pieces, trimming the edges so they are all straight and even.
Position the pieces to make a rectangle big enough to fit your computer on it twice, with a bit extra for a closure flap. Keep about 2 1/2 in on each side for seam allowance.
Sew pieces together by overlapping them on top of each other and sewing with a zig zag stitch
Step 5: Add Lining
Get your fabric and cut a piece that is the same size as your sewed plastic
Place the pieces together, right sides facing in. Attached them with something that will not puncture them (NO STRAIGHT PINS). Use bobby pins.
Sew the liner and the shell together leaving one end open.
Step 6: Add Padding
Turn the bag inside out and sew a seam one inch from the edge (still not sewing on the open side)
Seam a seam 2 inches from the bottom, or the short side that is sewed closed
Take out the extra plastic bits from Step 2, the used wax paper and more plastic bags and begin stuffing the case. When you get about 4 inches up, seam another seam across the case.
Stuff more and seam until you reach 6 inches from the top.
Step 7: Finishing Up the Case
Fold and sew the top edge down.
Place the case right side together leaving room for the flap. Sew down both sides and turn it right ride out.
Hold in and sew the side of the flap.
Add some velcro and you're done!
Be the First to Share
Recommendations
Make It Bridge
Game Design: Student Design Challenge
For the Home Contest
37 Comments
5 years ago
Thanks for the idea!!!! Another use for all the plastic bags I collect! Saves the environment and creates new stuff from old stuff.
8 years ago
More
8 years ago
I wish u guys would come on moren
11 years ago on Introduction
would nordic skate ski glide wax work rather than oil? this is for the parchment paper fusing . it sounds like great idea with undiscovered uses. shinglessound goof, but too many tornadoes and windy days, insulation factor ? almost all of pantaagucci is made from recyclable plastic soda bottles . i go through my buildings trash can near the mailboxes when we get mailed those neatly folder plastic bags that you are supposed to put your old clothed in so the veterans og falling stars or some other organization that sounds like a reputable org,but it is a different company, whose owners tend to be very rich off your donations,which they dell to make rags, at least the clothes.Very low$$ to the recipients. cars 4 kids fall into this too.
i use the prepackaged bags as a emerg rain jacket or more common in my case a ground cloth , for a nap in one of the parks.
i have kilos of glide wax, and a couple good sci wax irons. i cant ski anymore so be nice to find a use.
12 years ago on Introduction
Do you have to use new waxpaper each time?
13 years ago on Introduction
Nice idea using an iron to bond layers of plastic bags to each other. Can this be scaled up with many layers upon layers until the plastic forms a stiff solid layer? It would be nice to be able to make shingle like pieces of plastic for other projects which need hard sheets of plastic material.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
"Shingle like pieces" Hey-I think you just gave me an idea without intending to, DIY-Guy! I found that a sandwich of 2 Wally World Bags folded into quarters was already making me wonder what I could do with those little squares of plastic---Shingles? Hmm- Constructing panels for a Greenhouse? (I doubt the plastic would take the sun over time, guess not that one-tho I am told a coat of paint shields from UV-not sure on that one, either) there has to be loads of stuff other than clothing to do with these plastic bags, right? Keep noodlin'
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Nick, enough time has lapsed that I can tell you my choice of words was entirely intentional. The intent was to spread the idea of "shingle-like pieces." Congrats on grabbing the idea which was seeded here on Instructables!
BTW, have you started to finalize the shingles-of-recycled-trashbags idea into a concrete form yet? We'd like to see what you have done, or will do with the idea. :)
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
That's actually a really clever idea. I'm going to use that for a chicken coop in the future.
13 years ago on Introduction
another thing, using cheap wax paper with the plastic bags is a baad idea, because the paper can sometimes get fused into the plastic if you pull it off too late, or pull it off too early. I recommend using some oil and using a paper towel to apply onto the wax paper (not the plastic!) before fusing. It does make the plastic a little oily, but it will come off easily with a quick soap wash later.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for the suggestion!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
oh yeah, also, it makes it so you can reuse the wax paper over and over! last time i did this, i only changed the wax paper... twice or three times!
13 years ago on Introduction
Doesn't the energy used for this project add to your carbon footprint?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Good question.
Which takes more energy though, manufacturing new plastic "fabric" or "shingles"? Or does it take less energy and resources to merely melt some already-manufactured plastic sheets into something usefull?
REDUCE: Check! (No orders are placed for manufacturing new plastic.)
RE-USE: Check! (Bags received previously are being kept and used.)
RECYCLE: Check! (Bags are diverted from landfill back to into products.)
If the concern is about generating a small quantity of heat for recycling, which is better? Landfill? Or recycle?
Or... perform some other act of conservation such as (1.) turning off the computer and Internet connection for enough time to equal the same wattage being used for the plastic fusing process. (2.) Use an existing source of heat instead of an electric iron, such as the bottom of a frying pan immediately after cooking with it. While it is still hot. But that could lead to a larger environmental burden through increased cleanup, greater use of soap, straining the sewer systems with unnecessary water use, etc. (3.) A pre-existing source of heat and an old fashioned non-powered iron could work well together. Some examples would be to use the heat from a vehicle engine to heat an old iron while driving around, or place any kind of iron on top of a wood stove that's being used. (4.) Use the sun and a fresnel lens. Kind of tricky to manage the heat correctly but no so-called carbon "footprint" at all! (Do beware the toxic fumes and pollution which will be worse than any kind of managed and filtered exhaust coming out of your local power company. THEY are regulated and carefully controlled, your aerial toxins would not be filtered, reduced or managed scientifically.) (5.) A glass box type of solar oven might be used to bake sheets together, or again, heat an iron to bring it up to temperature. The solar oven would need 1/2" thick glass but that can be scavenged from a scrapyard. Or put a few sheets of glass on top of each other. Again, no so-called carbon footprint! By the way, I've heard that the jet used by Al Gore has a "carbon footprint" larger than what an average person will use in their entire lifetime! (Sorry Mr. Gore, we're just not buying it.)
After analysis, this fusing of plastic bags project seems to REDUCE so-called carbon "footprints" and should be considered a true eco-friendly manufacturing technique. 5/5 stars for the author! Good job!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
;) I love your suggestions for "acts of conservation."
I happen to think that the earth is in a state of dynamic equilibrium...things constantly change, but they ultimately even out.
I do like this tutorial, as I tend to wind up with quite a few plastic bags.
13 years ago on Introduction
gonna try it! i think this makes a great christmas gift for my sister xD
just wondering... could I use a tshirt instead of a hoddie?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
i dont see why you wouldnt be able to. the sweatshirt is just so you can stuff it. i dont think it matters what kind of fabric you use. just remember, think green
12 years ago on Step 6
Oh yeah, Wisconsin!
12 years ago on Introduction
I've been wanting to make a pair of out stitched shoes for some time now, and I'm wondering if this material would be strong enough for the midsole. Does anyone know anything along those lines?
13 years ago on Introduction
Would Tootsie Roll Wrappers work? or are they to waxy?