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Bag
Plastique
The "Plastique Bag" is a commentary on single-use plastic bag usage. We might normally consider plastic bags as trash, but what if we could transform that "trash" into a usable, upscale, and durable product? Introducing the first "Plastique Bag" prototype made from re-claimed recycled materials.
01.
The process of making the "Plastique Bag" first began with the materials. The bag itself is knitted from strips of plastic bags. Depicted on the right are several balls of plastic "yarn" created from looped strands cut from plastic bags that I used in the construction of this purse.
02.
For the body of the purse, I knit the plastic "yarn" into several panels that would consist of the sides, bottom, and covering for the bag.
03.
With the main panels of the bag knitted, I then proceeded to develop the handles. Admittedly, I was initially unsure of what material I should use to create the straps. I knew that plastic bags did not have the rigidity I was looking for in a handle. I wanted to make sure the material I chose for their construction was durable and structurally sound.
In looking through the recycling bin for inspiration, I came across many single-use plastic bottles. Even though in their current form, plastic bottles are an odd shape for a purse handle, the material had the structural integrity I was looking for. I then did some research and found that it was possible to transform plastic bottles into rope.
04.
I then proceeded with the first step in making plastic rope, transforming the bottle into string. I set about building a rig that would stabilize the bottle as I cut it into a uniform strand that I could later twist into a rope. The rig was created from a block of wood and a knife.
Inspiration for the plastic string production rig can be found .
05.
Once I had accumulated enough string, I began to twist the strands together to form the rope for the purse's handle. I again researched how others had accomplished this. I tested a few methods I had found online, but none of the tests provided the results I was looking for. As a result, I designed my own rope making method from a vice, a piece of wood, and a drill. Once all the strands of plastic string were twisted together, I used a plastic welder to set the rope's twists to keep it from unwinding.
06.
Now with all the panels, and handles for the bag produced, I began the process of assembling the purse. I first stitched together the panels of the bag to form the basic box-like shape for the purse. Then I added a base layer of thin cardboard on the top covering, and insides of the bag to add a layer of structural support to the shape.
07.
From there, I stitched on the top covering to the bag and proceeded to add an interior lining, made from a recycled shirt, for more of a finished look.
08.
Lastly, I stitched the handles in place and added a clasp to complete the bag. Photos of the finished version 1 prototype can be found below. In the future, I plan on developing a full line of "Plastique Bags" made from all kinds of recycled plastic.
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