Comments on: alt craft month: plastic patchwork

By: debbie

debbie — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:54:25 +0000

Thanks, Kristy, for that extra information.

By: kristy

kristy — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:25:29 +0000

Debbie — that is a concern I’ve heard before, and I don’t know a definitive answer. I can only speak for myself: I heated the plastic on a very low heat for a longer time rather than using a higher heat and fusing more quickly — under the theory that keeping it below a certain temperature minimizes the release of fumes. I did the fusing outside and wore a respirator mask just in case (given that I’m currently pregnant), but did a sniff test and couldn’t even detect an odor. That’s not to say there were no fumes, nor does it really answer your question, but that’s my take on it. Hopefully someone has a better answer for you.

By: debbie

debbie — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:24:26 +0000

Love the look and re-use, but a question: Is it environmentally safe and responsible to be heating these plastics to the melting/fusible stage? What is being into the air, and what is the crafter breathing in? I’ve avoided these kinds of projects until I can find some idea of the consequences. Thanks.

By: Yolanda

Yolanda — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:37:55 +0000

A mí me resulta muy complicado el encontrar el punto exacto de calor, pues o no se pega o se me arruga mucho. Estos enlaces son muy curiosos y con resultados muy bonitos, como el de este bolso.

By: Hilde

Hilde — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:53:34 +0000

This is fantastic! Something so beautiful made out of trash! Living in Germany, I always was glad that you have to pay for plastic bags here, so I rarely got one. But maybe I will do some shopping in shops with colorful plastic bags now …

By: Sharon

Sharon — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:17:03 +0000

Wow! Really cool. Just today I was looking at a plastic grocery bag and wondering what I could make out of it! Cheep, plentiful…Heaven sent the answer!