What you will need:

o Different kinds of plastic bags: small, big, thin, thick, multi-coloured, plain
o Iron and ironing board
o Scissors
o Baking paper
o A weight (a big book is good!)
o Haberdashery

1. Cut open the seams of the plastic bag. Now you have one big piece. It might be good to cut off the handle of the plastic bag.

2. Place several pieces of plastic on top of each other. If you want to create thick material you must use up to 8 bags, but if you want to make the material thin and easy to work with, you only need two or three bags. Finnish plastic bags are thick, whereas bags from many other countries are very thin. 4-6 layers of plastic give the best results.

3. When the pieces are placed on top of each other, you can cut names, some text, patterns, pictures etc. from other plastic bags and melt them on top. If you want a different surface, for example a collage, you must cut strips and pieces of different plastic bags and arrange them on the top layer.  

4. Put the plastic bags between two sheets of baking paper. Start the melting using the lowest temperature and use higher temperature if needed. Remember: do not use steam!

5. Iron for about 15 seconds. Then take the iron off and put some heavy weight on the plastic to prevent it from curling up. Finnish bags will curl more than bags from other countries. You will have to try and see!

6. When you are satisfied with your plastic fabric, take the weight off and let it cool.

7. If you want a special finish on your bag, you can for example create a lacy texture out of thin plastic bags. Cut a strip of very thin plastic and fasten it with hot iron. If you want some photo or picture on your bag, place it under a piece of transparent plastic, and attach it into your bag. Do not use very big pictures!

8. When the plastic fabric is finished, you can start sewing. Straight or zigzag stitches are the best.  The plastic is very hard and you cannot use pins, but you can use masking tape, paper clips or clothes pegs. If you want, you can make a fabric lining.

9. Now you can make whatever you want, such as bags, wallets - anything you want! Let’s try!

Text and picture: Tiina Pouhakka, Degree Progamme of Crafts and Recreation