Plastic Bag Mats For Homeless Tutorial

Plastic bag sleeping mats.

Plastic bag mats for homeless tutorial.

From here you cut these into strips. Start with about 10 plastic bags at a time. Affiliate links may be used in this post. Straighten out each bag by pulling at the end and the handles so that it becomes as nice smooth and flat as the plastic bag in the picture.

We ll stitch them together to create a full mat. Here are some links to tutorials and instructions on making mats. So far they have spent at least 100 hours on the project producing 18 mats that have been handed out to the homeless and there are many more to come. As an amazon associate i earn from qualifying purchases.

There are still two other ways to create a mat from plastic bags. How to make mats for the homeless by joni staples. Home crafts diy turning plastic bags into sleep mats for homeless turning plastic bags into sleep mats for homeless. If you think that might feel too much like a job than fun but would like to actually make a mat there is hope.

500 700 plastic shopping bags for a person sized mat but can vary depending on what you re using the mat for 10mm or larger crochet hook. Meanwhile in norwalk iowa the mighty mat makers meet once a week at st. John the apostle catholic church to create their own mats using about 700 plastic bags apiece. Don t want to make a full mat.

Cut off the plastic bag handles and the bottom of the bag. The thicker the strips the thicker your mat. Cut off the handles and the bottom seam so that you re left with a rectangle. Do this two more times then cut off the top handles and the bottom seam to create a flat open plastic tube.

Start by folding your plastic bag in half vertically. Flatten the plastic bag to best you can and straighten any of the bags creases. I am using a size q17 crochet hook 15 75 mm also please make sure you are using recycled plastic bags to complete the mat as that it the whole effort of the project. Now for a plastic grocery bag that s standard in size and in thickness cut each bag into 4 rings.

Weaving on drinking straws.