Fusing Plastic Bags
Description:
Fusing plastic bags requires a heat source, something that can hold heat, and paper or aluminum foil or something that won't stick to the plastic. If you have access to electricity and modern conveniences, an dry iron on the wool setting and parchment paper work perfectly. If you are working in a resource poor setting, a metal cooking pot heated over fire and some paper trash will work just as well!
Instructions:
Here is a great tutorial on fusing plastic bags from Etsy Studios.
Some things to note:
- Results will vary based upon the climate you are working in. You may need to adjust the amount of heat and pressure you use to get the correct results. Just be patient and keep trying - it's worth it!
- If the plastic immediately shrinks away from the heat source or holes appear immediately - it's too hot! Reduce the heat and try again.
- If the plastic just gets warm but doesn't actually stick together, you need more heat and/or pressure.
- If you live/work in an area where people use plastic bags as flying latrines, do not collect these bags for your projects! It is not worth the risk!
- Fuse outside or in a well-ventilated area.
Fusing plastic bags requires a heat source, something that can hold heat, and paper or aluminum foil or something that won't stick to the plastic. If you have access to electricity and modern conveniences, an dry iron on the wool setting and parchment paper work perfectly. If you are working in a resource poor setting, a metal cooking pot heated over fire and some paper trash will work just as well!
Instructions:
Here is a great tutorial on fusing plastic bags from Etsy Studios.
Some things to note:
- Results will vary based upon the climate you are working in. You may need to adjust the amount of heat and pressure you use to get the correct results. Just be patient and keep trying - it's worth it!
- If the plastic immediately shrinks away from the heat source or holes appear immediately - it's too hot! Reduce the heat and try again.
- If the plastic just gets warm but doesn't actually stick together, you need more heat and/or pressure.
- If you live/work in an area where people use plastic bags as flying latrines, do not collect these bags for your projects! It is not worth the risk!
- Fuse outside or in a well-ventilated area.