I have seen totebags made out of newspaper and covered with some kind of plastic. I don’t know if it is some kind of contact paper. It appears that the peices are cut and covered in the plastic and then the tote bag is sewn together. I have seen them made out of vintage magazines covers and newspaper from other countries. I would really like to make some knitting project bags out of some 80’s Vogue knitting mags that I have. Does anyone know where I can find out exactly what kind of plastic to use? I think it would have to be something with adhesive on the back like a contact paper. I can figure out the construction part of the process. Thank you!
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Replies
Hi, I'm not sure exactly what is used but I can get you started looking in two directions. If it really is laminated paper, check out a school supply store. Most of the good ones have a laminator and charge a small fee, a dollar or two, to laminate paper you bring in.
However, I suspect what is being used is Clopay, which is the vinyl carried at fabric stores. This can be sewn on with a long stitch and a strong thread. Generally, the seams are placed on the outside and covered with bias tape or colored Clopay. Some of the purses I've seen have fabric or paper sandwiched between two layers of Clopay, or a heavy, iron-on interfacing backing the paper. Hope this helps.
You might try contact paper first. I did a great project using old calender artwork to make a bag. First I covered the page with clear contact paper folding exsess over to the back, then I sewed front outside to front inside together and continued with the other sides, bottems (which were cut down to create the diamensions of a regular shopping bag). I used that clear fishing line thread and the final seams had me sewing together four "calender" pages all covered in contact paper. It is a sturdy bag- the idea came out of a Mary Jane Butters (farm girl extrordinar) book.
Stitchagain
Thank you stichagain, I was wondering if there would be a better product than contact paper but I'm beginning to think this would be just fine. you gave me a good idea with the calendar idea. I have a calendar I just don't want to throw away but what do you do with all of that old stuff. Think I will try that out.
Is there a site or link where we could see this type of bag? It sounds awesome and I am duly inspired but would love to see one. Thanks, solo
There is another bonding fabric that I've seen at JoAnn's. I've seen advertisements of it bonded to fabric, I don't know if it will bond to paper. You might check JoAnn's website. Z
Ive used laminating pouches at school - but if u have to do a lot of stitching - it does eventually disintegrate - but it is a possibility for simple shapes
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