Fusing Plastic Bags On To Fabric Or Knitwear

Trashion - plastic bags trashion jersey applique knitwear embellishments

Posted by Outi Les Pyy (previously OutsaPop Trashion)

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Fusing plastic bags to make "plastic fabric" is not the only way to use this material. Ironing ready-cut forms straight to the fabric (or knitwear in this case) proved to be a very fast and cool looking effect! This technique can be applied if you want to make your own House Of Holland-styled tees!

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You Will Need (4 things)

  • 1 Plastic Bag(s) pcs
  • Scissors
  • Non Sticky Oven/ Baking Paper
  • Iron

Steps (7 steps, 20 minutes)

  1. 1

    You need plastic bags, scissors, one sheet of non-sticky oven-paper and smooth surfaced knit. Test if the plastic is suitable for this kind of work before starting. I tested 8 different bags before finding the best one.

    Step 1.:Cut the form from the plastic bag. Here I used two layers of plastic.

  2. 2

    Step 2.: place the plastic form on the right size of the knit. Do not put any needles!

  3. 3

    Step 3.: Place oven paper on top (non-sticky baking paper).

  4. 4

    Step 4.: Hold iron on top for about 20 seconds (NO steam!). No need to press the iron. Check the paper once a while to make sure it does not burn.

  5. 5

    Finished plastic-bag-applique :)
    I recommend only gentle hand wash and round shapes seem to work better than square.. The corners start coming off in a while.

  6. 6

    Looks great with some VHS-tape added in the mix (has to have plastic underneath to attach propely). Wear with caution... The plastic starts coming off if the shirt is moved too much.. See the shirt stretches and the plastic does not. But if a loose tee like this it works, at least for one evening... This cannot be washed in water.

    Maybe the best solution is to first melt one layer, let it cool down, then SEW a zic-zac along the edges of the plastic pieces. It might help the pieces to stay on better. Finally melt an identical second layer on to the first one with stitching so the two layers will be bound together and the stitching is covered. I have not yet tested this but to me it sounds like it could work!!

  7. 7

    This technique can be applied if you want to make your own House Of Holland-styled tees!

    Many have asked me can the plastic be washed in water and will it crack. I washed this tee very carefully by hand in water and the print stayed on surprisingly well. Plastic can handle water, but not the mechanical stress of thumbling around in a washing machine. Knits I do not water wash.

    The plastic hardens when it cools down. It will crack eventually! The more layers you apply, the harder the plastic gets and the easier it cracks... The good thing is that it can be re-melted at any time. Thistechnique is more of an temporary effect that can be ripped off after one evening. The plastic comes off really nicely with out harming the garment. I recommend using this only on loose fitted clothing, because I noticed that the plastic comes off if the fabric/knit is stretched.