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Recycled Plastic Bag Dresses

POSTED BY Lindsey Chen, 06 February 2008

We received this email from our own our loyal viewers. Talk about recycling plastic bags! This is impressive, huh!?

"Hi, I just saw your video on knitting plastic bags. I spent many months knitting a 1950's circle skirt, blouse, pill box hat and purse out of grocery bags. I asked my co-workers and students to bring them for me. None of the materials were purchased for the project, I wanted to re-use what was otherwise destined to blow down the streets. I have also woven plastic on my loom, and begun to melt plastic into a fabric. I am never short of materials and they are always free since everybody seems to have a bunch, which is a bummer that more people aren't using reusable bags.
I like your videos!
Cathy "

dresses, plastic bags, plastic bag dresses, recycled plastic bags, recycled dresses, reusable plastic bags

Comments

  • mittenmama wrote on February 6, 4:12 pm

    I love your designs! Dollar General never looked so good!

  • smudgeness wrote on February 6, 5:07 pm

    These are gorgeous! :]

  • serendiffity wrote on February 6, 5:27 pm

    Amazing! I positively adore the top dress and the bottom dress. absolute epitome of DIY. way to go!

  • GMO-girl wrote on February 6, 9:09 pm

    wow!! this is amazing!

  • amusings wrote on February 7, 12:21 am

    Nothing original as way of a comment, but your work is amazing! You've really captured the styles, but in a different material. Perhaps you'll span the decades in the future? I'd love to see it! I'd love even more to try it on!

  • kelly (anon) wrote on February 7, 3:26 pm

    Love the ideas. I have recently switched to reusable bags and I am trying to get the rest of the household to do the same. Would love to learn how to do that so if you have instructions out there, would love to view them.

  • trepidaticon wrote on February 7, 6:16 pm

    Um.. it looks cool but how comfortable can it be? Are these reused bags that are just going to sit on a mannequin or does someone wear them? All I can imagine it that it itches terribly and creates cesspools of sweat because it doesn't breathe...

  • tifnicole wrote on February 8, 9:23 am

    Well, there's got to be a tutorial somewhere on how to knit plastic bags. Can't quite put it together in my head how it would be done, but I'd like to learn. Are there any tutorials?

  • judith virgille (guest) wrote on April 10, 2:56 pm

    I THE DRESS YOU make it that have a project to and I need hlep.

  • ellyzee wrote on February 8, 2:50 pm

    As far as I know, you can just cut plastic bags into strips (cut in a spiral pattern from the bottom of the bag around and around to get the longest strips) then knit it just like yarn.

  • sewthernbelle wrote on February 10, 5:17 pm

    There needs to be a tutorial about how to knit plastic bags! Especially if I can make a dress like that first one.

  • aglanceatmyworld wrote on February 11, 12:40 am

    Wow! Those are great! Awesome job :)

  • crafty (anon) wrote on February 12, 11:21 pm

    I have crocheted handbags out of plastic bags before and can imagine that making the "yarn" would be about the same process. you can probably just knit instead of crochet. here is just one of many websites I found. http://www.needlepointers.com/ShowArticles.aspx?NavID=593
    Tried to make this a link but not sure it worked. If you you look up plastic bag knitting there are plenty of websites on the subject.

  • curleq94 wrote on February 15, 12:39 pm

    are these knitted?

  • tessymessy wrote on July 20, 6:50 pm

    Fabulous Dresses!!!
    I am looking to buy a ball type gown (recycled of course)for a city event next year. Can dresses like these be purchased anywhwhere?

  • Jacqui (guest) wrote on August 9, 10:48 am

    I think reciycling has a limit. And this women here found it. Not a chance anyone is going to use that.

  • Diane (guest) wrote on August 12, 11:32 pm

    Hi -- Would it be possible for you to participate or exhibit the white dress & possibly others in a fashion show in Towson MD Sat., Oct. 25?

    Thanks for getting back to me -- these are great!

  • Jemimah (guest) wrote on September 22, 4:52 am

    I'm trying to make dresses from recycled materials for my GCSE course work and i think i really need procedure helps from you. your designs are beautiful!!


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