With more and more folks taking reusable bags to the store, some places are seeing a drop in the use of those single-use plastic bags. Still, somehow those sneaky plastic bags seem to make their way into the house from time to time. Maybe a friend brings snacks over in a single use bag or your folks sent leftovers home with you in a plastic tote. Never fear! With your iron and some sewing skills, you can give those bags a new life as reusable goodies.

Pam at Craftster shows you how to make a reusable sandwich wrap and lunch bag using fused plastic:

I wonder if she could have fused the straps or bottoms that she cut off to make the straps, rather than cutting them out of full sheets? That might have saved some time and resources. Any experienced plastic-fusers out there want to weigh in on that one?

Of course, the plastic crafting doesn't have to end there. I've seen all sorts of awesome handmade items fashioned from reusable plastic from coffee cup cozies to wallets and pouches to whole jackets!

You can also get creative before you get fusing. Cut out fun shapes and place them carefully. They'll fuse right in place as you press!

One more fused plastic sewing tip: pin judiciously, and use the skinniest pins that you can find. Since plastic isn't self-healing like fabric, any holes you prick in your project are there to stay.

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by Urban Woods Walker