eusable utensils to-go tutorial

You will need:

6-8 plastic shopping bags : scissors : iron : wax paper : sewing machine : fork/knife/spoon/chopsticks—I used bamboo ones, but vintage ones are cool too : bandana/napkin : ribbon

for this first part, feel free to head over the this etsy lab tutorial (it’s got pictures!!)

Sort through all of those plastic bags you have balled up under your sink.
Cut off the handles & bottoms then turn them inside out. otherwise the ink will get all over the place. seriously.
Open the bag out to a large rectangular shape. Lay 6-8 layers of plastic—two layers per bag, on top of each other.
Lay parchment paper or baking paper over the bags and under them on top of your ironing board. – Open windows to allow the room to vent.
Start ironing—usually I use the rayon setting, however, my ‘old as the hills’ iron is fussy. Experiment with your settings to see what works best.
Keep the iron moving & check it after about 20 seconds or so. It will shrink a bit—that’s how you will know it’s working.
Flip it once you see some signs of shrinkage. Keep ironing until all the layers have fused together.

At this point trim the edges, leaving a nice rectangular mat. The size of your mat depends on the size utensils you use – measure and check out big you want it.
Cut another smaller piece of fused material, big enough to accommodate your utensils & hold them securely – for a pocket. You will need 3 slots, 4 if you add chopsticks – and reasonably deep so they don’t fall out.

Place the pocket about a half inch from the edge of the mat—I put mine near the bottom left edge—and begin sewing along the sides & bottom edge of the smaller utensil pouch. Use zigzag stitch or straight stitch. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end to strengthen the pocket.
Sew three lines down through the pocket to make four smaller utensil pockets.

Cut a 13 inch piece of ribbon. Find the middle of the ribbon & sew onto the right edge of your mat. You will tie this to keep your mat rolled up.
Put your knife/fork/spoon/chopsticks in their respective slots.
Lay a bright colored bandana or other exciting flea market napkin on top.
Roll up the mat & secure with ribbon tie!
Throw it in your bag so the next time you’re out & about you can skip the plastic utensils.