How to make a bag from coffee bags - Upcycling plastic coffee bags

Summary

This tutorial guides you through the process of creating a stylish bag or storage basket from coffee bags. With 56 coffee bags, you’ll cut them into strips and weave them into squares using tools like knitting needles or grill sticks. Each square is joined with a plastic string, and the final edges are finished with polyester cord or decorative ribbons. The project requires 14 squares to complete a bag, and tips for folding, weaving, and finishing the edges ensure a durable and visually appealing result. This technique can be customized to create unique patterns for your bag or basket.

Takeaways

• 😀 You need at least 56 coffee bags to make a bag or basket.
• 😀 The width of each coffee bag is 15.2 cm, but you can adjust based on the size of the bags you use.
• 😀 Cut the coffee bags into strips using scissors or a paper cutter to create the weaving material.
• 😀 Use a piece of cardboard to help fold the strips evenly for consistent width.
• 😀 The folded strip width should be one-third of the original strip to ensure the weaving isn't too hard.
• 😀 You need 12 strips to create one square in the weaving pattern.
• 😀 Knitting needles, grill sticks, or Mikado game sticks can be used to weave the strips together.
• 😀 The front and back of the bag should have different patterns, though both should look visually appealing.
• 😀 Roll the strips to fix the pattern you want as you weave the squares.
• 😀 You need 14 squares in total to complete a bag.
• 😀 Join the squares together using plastic string (1 cm wide curling ribbon or gift wrapping string) with a mattress needle.

Q & A

How many coffee bags are needed to make a bag?

You need at least 56 coffee bags to weave a bag.

Can I use bags that are larger or smaller than the specified size?

Yes, you can use larger or smaller bags, but you will need to adjust the size of the pieces according to the width of the bags.

What is the width of the coffee bags used in the tutorial?

The coffee bags used in this tutorial are 15.2 cm wide.

What tools are recommended for cutting the coffee bags?

You can use scissors or a paper cutter to cut the strips from the coffee bags.

How can I ensure that the strips are folded evenly?

You can use a piece of cardboard to help you fold the strips evenly.

What is the recommended width for the folded strips?

The width of the folded strip should be one-third of the unfolded strip. This helps prevent the weaving from becoming too hard.

How many strips are required to make one square?

You need 12 strips to weave one square.

What tools can be used for weaving the squares together?

You can use knitting needles, grill sticks, or even Mikado game sticks to weave the squares together.

How many squares are needed to create a bag?

You need 14 squares to make a bag.

What kind of string should be used to join the squares?

The squares are joined using plastic string, which is 1 cm wide curling ribbon or gift wrapping string.

What is the purpose of the mattress needle, and what size is recommended?

A 25 cm long mattress needle with a sanded tip is recommended for joining the squares. Shorter needles can also work.

How can I finish the edge of the bag once the squares are joined?

To finish the edge, you can use polyester cord or decorative ribbons. You can also sew the edge by hand or use glue, if it is durable enough.