Making a 1940's Plasticflex Handbag in 2023 ✨

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Kristina and Tim have uploaded the tile here if you would like to 3D print you're own set of tiles www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-plasticflex-reproduction-tiles-311227 You can also visit their Etsy shop here www.etsy.com/shop/Freyjas3DPrints?page=3#items where they could potentially be convinced to print some more tiles on a custom order basis ✨

[@Eliza-br2so]

When you’re so invested in a stranger’s wardrobe that you gasp in delight at the sight of a green plasticflex clutch in a thumbnail

[@simonecummings9157]

I went full on Michael Scott IT'S HAPPENING!!!

[@kristinafricker9351]

It was such a delight to work with you on this project and the final bag looks so awesome, you did such an amazing job!!! Tim and I are looking at trying to recreate different types of tiles seen on other bags in our spare time so hopefully there will be more to come in the future 😊

[@loretta_3843]

Great job!

[@marcco44]

such a cool collaboration between you guys!!👏👏👏

[@blktauna]

This is a crazy machine! What are you normally printing with this?

[@NoDecaf7]

Highly anticipating other patterns, this is such an awesome project!

[@Ty-Quatta]

You did an awesome job with the tiles. I think it is so cool that you made them and I hope the others you try turn out just as good.

[@Ella-iv1fk]

Escher style tiles changing across the bag would be so cool. Something like honeycomb with bees on some of the tiles would also be awesome. So many possibilities...

[@m.maclellan7147]

Second vote for BEES ! EVEN BETTER if they can make hexagon tiles that look like bee comb ! 🐝

[@annikahstebben4425]

You could do tri-axle weaving to put it together. The patterns more similar cane work on a chair but you can do it in mats or baskets, so it should work!

[@NoDecaf7]

There is a whole community of folks who are going to find this video and Kristina and Tim's work and their dreams are going to come true! I saw they were working on other patterns, a whole series of self-made plastiflex-inspired bags sounds like it could be in the works! I'll take one in every color and three in black, please 🖤

[@SewingBoxDesigns]

YES! Favourited their site to stalk them until this comes true.

[@widgie161]

Okay here's my vision: black tiles with glitter resin filled inner squares! It would be so annoying to do and take so much time and would make the bag even heavier, but I don't care! That would be cute!!

[@cold_punk]

Might be neat to make something out of key caps this way

[@megleslie]

Wahey, awesome to see the printing community come through! If you'd like to make the tiles nice and glossy like the original plastic ones, an old modelmaker's trick is to dip them in floor polish and let them dry (Pledge is the usual go-to)

[@kristinafricker9351]

I’ve heard about the floor polish trick but haven’t actually tried it. I’ll do some test tiles and see if the floor polish trick will work to reproduce the OG gloss look 😊

[@megleslie]

@@kristinafricker9351 Good luck! Let us know how it goes

[@rd6203]

Would there be any risk of transference?

[@megleslie]

@@rd6203 Transference of pigment, you mean? I doubt it, Pledge and most other floor polishes are acrylic based so they don't contain any solvents that will reactivate paints. And if it's on parts like these where the pigment is mixed into the resin, absolutely not, that pigment is locked in. Sorry if I've got the wrong end of the stick, let me know if this answers your question.

[@kristinafricker9351]

⁠@@rd6203 I think @megleslie is correct, but this is all pretty experimental/new to me so I can’t guarantee anything. But yes, we mix alcohol ink into the resin to do custom color tints and then the resin cures. So especially if you add some sort of coating there shouldn’t be any color transfer. I’m also wanting to try painting our regular grey tiles and sealing them.

[@amysullivan2414]

There are products in the car detailing aisle that will shine plastics, if u wanted to experiment.

[@NoadiArt]

3d printers are amazing, I have both a filament and a resin printer. Some people have also been printing with filament printers directly onto lightweight fabric like tulle and chiffon.

[@LRWdesign]

Awesome collab! I’m surprised high end fashion designers haven’t made a garment or accessories with this technique yet. 🤔 The possibilities are numerous. Belts, handbag accents, clothing embellishments or even a dress or top.

[@krose6451]

I've seen a couple of dresses and crop top like things done like this in fashion shoots but never just generally for sale

[@rd6203]

They have

[@artheaded1]

For your first purse, using materials you've never worked with before, you created a beautiful bag! Add "purse-maker" to your resume!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!!

[@Noel.Chmielowiec]

I think that sewing bags is good starter project in learning how to use a sewing machine, because there are only straight seams. However, sewing with plastic tiles looks hard 😂 You still managed to make it look very professional. And the green colour is perfectly moody shade! I hope one day people will find a way to print metallic finished things, beetle wing looking plastiflex would look absolutely divine! Of course if it doesn't exist now, who knows

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! I dream of iridescent platicflex for sure 🤩

[@anitahebert1511]

I think a tablet or laptop carry case would look fabulous made with the tiles. Plastaflex has a retrofuture design aesthetic.

[@hernameispekka_Rebecca]

I love when different peoples geekery can come together and enhance other peoples geekery! This is a perfect example of this!

[@believeinfaeries8713]

Way to go Kristina and Tim!! Bianca, that green one came out so well.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@EclecticJessie]

Here are my bag making suggestions - you did an awesome job for winging it! Two options - one with an additional lining and one without. No additional lining: Sandwich each side of the zipper tape like piping on the top and bottom of the rectangle, when sewing the lining to the tiles. This way, you don't have to do a separate lining, and the zipper will fit snuggly at the top of the bag. For the edges, fold together, and then use binding to cover up the raw edges inside of the clutch. With lining: Cut your exterior fabric so it has 5/8 seam allowance around all edges (plus that little extra wiggle room for the middle fold). Sew the fabric to the tiles, as you did, with a 1/4 seam allowance, leaving about 3/8 between the tiles and the fabric, along three sides. Turn it right side out, fold in the edges of the third side 1/4 inch, then baste along the tiles with your zipper foot, to hold them into place. You've just created your exterior fabric - find a tutorial for a basic zipper pouch, and follow those directions to line it and add the zipper! Hopefully this helps a bit - it's always hard to explain in just a comment, but I had to brainstorm a little with you. I love the end result and am tempted to make my own now too!!

[@tiffanytomasino335]

I watch sewing and maker videos when I need to have some faith restored in humanity 😅. The clutch came out amazing, and I’m so happy you managed to get a green bag for your wardrobe! All the thanks to Christina and Tim for being awesome people ❤

[@dawsie]

This is so cool, I have a small black clutch bag which I’ve had for 40 plus years it’s made up of 1/4 inch metal squares it’s was already old when I got it I think from the 1950’s so it’s older than me it’s still in excellent condition. I have seen modern versions of the bag from the 80’s. I know mine is older as I bought it when I lived in the UK, I found it in a small junk shop I use to visit, it’s also where I bought my Beatles LP which turned out to be from the first production run, only back then nobody knew that it would one day be worth a small fortune. I moved to Australia in December 1978 so that’s how I know the bag was not from the 80’s lol I never knew of the plastic bags so it was very interesting seeing you make this one. I think you did an excellent job off putting it all together, 😊 point of interest all bags with zippers, the zipper is always longer than is needed so yours being longer is in fact correct. I will have to pull out my antique magazines and see what they have in it in for bags, it has dress patterns from the 1940’s as the are from that time period. I still gave the patterns with the magazine they have never been used. All of the magazines were given to me by my ex-Mother-in-law I really missed her a lot after my divorce but because of her husband and my ex we were never able to keep in touch. I’m just glad that she felt I was much more worthy of her small collection of magazines than her own daughters. They were the very reasons I went back to collage to study Fashion Designing and Pattern Making. Both Mom and I spent 5 years at collage together, Mom went on to teach, but me I just made for myself lol it’s why I felt I could design my own wedding dress.

[@marcellacruser951]

Neat project! I keep thinking those green tiles would look amazing if the little square indentations were filled with gold shimmer epoxy. That would be sharp!

[@mathnerd3364]

Yes, I do think samurai armor would be a fantastic use for these!

[@lari9768]

master chief is shaking. seriously though, never seen this before but i love it. the possible shapes of tiles and objects seem endless. but what i love most about this is creative people working together and inspiring eachother :)

[@anonymousperson4214]

Well now I'm just picturing a white (or black) bag with the horizontal cords in rainbow progression. I love it, and I don't even use purses !

[@pennydreadfull]

Those are amazing bags! I give you get some metallic green ones so you can make another, or better yet metallic copper and green bug tiles! 💚🖤💚🖤💚

[@belindacoba5158]

Now that you mentioned the posibility of a bug shaped tile maybe it be designed in order the pieces fit together like a puzzle. Just an idea here 😅.

[@kaupaint]

The annoying part of sewing is that as someone who has sewn a lot of bags I know I have a better method but I'd have to physically show you and try it I can't explain it lol

[@paulinemegson8519]

Send her a video.

[@karlafowler1187]

Beautiful. The beaded fringe gives an allusion of a spider web with your floral tattoos when you swirl 😊

[@maramcmanus9669]

What a fun project! I never knew these clutches existed..learned something new!

[@annikahstebben4425]

In regards to the weaving direction. The one you are actively passing through is the *weft*.The weft passes over and under the *warp*. The way my teacher would say it, 'you weave from weft to wight' (but in an Elmer fudd rascally rabbit voice)

[@HockityPock]

absolutely love the texture created on the secondary purse with the back of the tiles. catches the light just beautifully!

[@hln5819]

I couldn't click this video fast enough! So excited to see this video when it popped up!

[@funkypunkypine]

How fun! I know how much you've been wanting a green one. That's so amazing that someone printed you some tiles! Okay, and I must know where you got your earrings 😍

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! The earrings are vintage from etsy, search "ear climber" to find similar soft plastic buddies from the late 50's/60's 🤩

[@michelenorine3621]

"Oh please, let me make clothes now" - I died!!! LOL!! Loved this video and you are hilarious. You did a great job and you can always re-sew by hand the other edge to get it closer to the tiles. Let me say that I am glad to have just been an observer, I sure wouldn't have had the patience :) to put this together.

[@tashacouldmakethat]

I've always loved these bags (though never gotten my hands on one) and the level of deep diving here into the minutia of a craft and an accessory is SO AMAZINGLY SATISFYING. 😍

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Tasha! The first time I saw a plasticflex in the wild at an antique mall I lost my marbles, I was so thrilled to see one anywhere offline 😂

[@kathrynmccarthy]

This is such a cool project! Now that the flood gates have been opened, I can see you making a bunch of these awesome bags so you have matching colors for all of your accessories!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Kathryn!!

[@jp80a68]

I just wanted to tell you generally how much I enjoy your videos. In fact you have actually inspired me to get off my backside and do a new set of blocks, so I thank you for that. I did go to college to study pattern cutting and design 40 years ago, but due to life and health, I can only dip in and out of sewing.I love the fact that you manage to be informative while not patronising. I don't know where in the US your accent is from but it is very listenable to, which coming from somebody English person is a true compliment. Thank you again for the inspiration.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you so much! ❤

[@joyfulbitesandbaubles]

I am a handbag maker and I will be so honest in saying that I struggle to make clothing. So, no judgement here. I would have made more of a pouch design though and done two panels sewing on the sides and bottom. Sewing the lining layer and outer layer to the zipper first. Then tacking down the cords for the plastic layer. Sewing up the sides and bottom of the tiles(in two separate panels instead of one large one). Then sewing the lining. I think instead of doing the flip method though this would be a good candidate for the binding method of closing the bottom. I would actually have to get some tiles and make a mock-up of my own to get the method down correctly. Right now this description is using my imagination so I may be totally wrong. 😂

[@Nyctophora]

You know you wouldn't be satisfied with a one-sided bag :D That looks amazing.

[@bethliebman8169]

Really enjoyed this video, Bianca! I have admired your Plastiflex bags in your collection. I am interested in the use of plastic in history. I clearly remember the cultural shift to everything made of plastic. (1965?) I was interested to hear that this was an early version of plastic. Great outcome!

[@sewcute_sewvintage]

Cute! Now for the matching bustier top! 😊

[@daedubois9428]

Love those white earrings 😊!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! Vintage via etsy of course 😅

[@annielessard4629]

This was an awesome video!. Fabulous work by Kristina and Tim in creating those tiles. Hopefully this will start a resurgence of this style of bag. 😊

[@doloresgreen1563]

What an AMAZING can of worms you have created Bianca. 👍😻😻😻👍 Not just for yourself, but Tim and Kristina too. Oh, I am so PROUD of you !!! 🤗🌹🤗🌹👍👍 TOTALLY AMAZING JOB !!! 👍😻😻😻👍

[@celticgoddess81]

This came out great! I don't need another project, I don't need a project. OH LOOKKK Etsy!!!

[@ingerteodora5413]

What a fun project! I would suggest machine basting the Plasticflex mat to the outer fabric before you start putting the bag together. You can mark where each leather strip should be on the seam allowance. I would mark and baste one side, and then fold the bag to mark the other side. Once the two layers are basted together you no longer have to worry about the tiles moving around, which should make the rest of the construction process a bit easier.

[@MeMe-Moi]

Pro tip when making a bag: use a light color lining to make it easier to find stuff inside the bag in less than perfect lighting conditions

[@Marillawen]

oh this looks so cool!!! Imagine with a filament printer the possibilities, duochrome tiles and all!

[@lauradoxtater1301]

Learned something new 👍🏻 Cheers to you & your collaborators 🥂well done

[@cherylburkitt9722]

Awww..you did a wonderful job on the bag..I had never heard of these. Very enjoyable to watch.❤

[@KathaRIna-bn2vc]

I thought the thumbnail was an ad and my first response was, I want that clutch!

[@mandycollins8795]

Oh my goodness! I love these SO much! edited to add: the green gives me strong Boba Fett vibes. So awesome!

[@chaeburger]

This is so cool! People are so talented. The possibilities are endless! As someone who has also only made one clutch handbag, I think this turned out great!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Chae!

[@armedvsokord]

This is so cool! I'm so impressed by both the printing and the bag at the end.

[@becauseimafan]

Ditto! 👍

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!!

[@marieeaton-smith5168]

So exciting for you. I can appreciate anyone's (yours) dedication to handbags/clutch/purse, depending where you are in the world! I did enjoy watching this video, excellent result though. I am not a handbag person, but I have made a few bags for people, and the zip thing needs thinking about a lot of the time!

[@xingcat]

How cool! Bringing history to life with modern technology is always so interesting to me.

[@obsidianrosestudio2663]

I have thought about this as well, though not an engineer. I know why the new tiles are matte instead of shiny and would love to try and figure out a silicone mold for tiles to see if I can get shiny tiles. To lower drilling it would need to be a 2+ piece mold, but the holes for weaving the tiles would still need to be drilled. 🤔

[@marshmallowsandtrash]

The one you made single sided would be so cool with a reversible zipper so you could have the tiles forward or back

[@Acehigh-Jenkins]

I never knew this existed! Now want it!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MsHedgehog]

I do not know how to make handbags, but I have seen Hazariel Costumes here on youtube making them. She makes herself fun and weird handbags, one of them is in the shape of the human heart just larger and sparkly.

[@kachnickau]

Omg, this was so much fun and amazing outcome. Now to search who can print it for me :D

[@terrortara6994]

This is the coolest bit of history ❤❤ thanks

[@nicelyppppppp]

i love the versatility of this!!! definitely gonna look into making a chainmail bag to make my medieval heart happy.

[@courtneyx9845]

I absolutely love this and I've been planning on a 3d printed bag for a while. I make bags pretty often. My brain can work out bags better than fitting clothes. I can see how the plastic tiles make it more difficult sewing with a machine. After I make mine I'll come back with some tips if I have any.

[@Sew_Learning]

Wow! You did a great job making this bag. Wouldn’t it be great if this starts the movement towards making these bags with new technology? 🥰 Love your new tats!! Sending best wishes from Down Under 💚💚📙🐈‍⬛🐈💐🌸🌺🇦🇺😎

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!! 💜

[@alisonhynd8828]

Love it! I’d certainly buy some of these tiles if they were available.

[@TheFreckledLassSeamstress]

Wonderful! Thank you for trying this project. Fun to watch. I've seen a couple of handbags, but never created something this incredible before. Amazing!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@JenInOz]

This reminds me a little of the glomesh bags (& cigarette cases & necklaces etc etc) from the 70s

[@Gandellion]

This hair and look in general is very cute

[@heidicook2395]

For s first time Purse this is lovely!

[@LightningValkyrie]

Incredible cyberpunk vibes on these bags. This is probably a very deep cut, but if Shodan had a physical form and decided to go out on the town, I think she'd probably carry the green bag.

[@plushieangela]

Oh I love how the bag turned out, its so very you. Also, we get to admire your snazzy new tattoo for a lot of this

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@julieheath6335]

Looking at the back of the tiles, I could easily imagine a grid of your trademark cicadas. Just imagining out loud...

[@lynetteshorten6043]

Absolutely fascinating Bianca. Thank you for sharing this… I never knew these existed.

[@paulinemegson8519]

Tbh handbags mean very little to me. If I can’t fit it in a pocket I’m not interested in carrying it, which ofc brings up the whole pocket issue which I’m not gonna dive into at this point……..*deep breath*………anyway…. I may not be into the items, but I’m deeply impressed with the results. You guys have truly re created something, and don’t downplay your part in this ms Bianca. You are an inspiration to people, someone who triggers the creative impulse in others and that’s a big deal. Your collaborators in this have done a very cool job of this and it was very kind of them to supply you with the fruits of their labour. Between their skills and equipment, and your ideas, you’ve between you, manifested something into this world, which is very cool.

[@elizabethbeierle7464]

That looks like a blast to do! And a super cool finished product! Thank you for sharing!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Elizabeth!

[@angiebaby3942]

So now I'm thinking you could weave electric plastic connectors together, love those bags ❤

[@blktauna]

Very fun!

[@beyondf3737]

Superb! I want a tote with these 🤩🤩🤩🤩!!!

[@PolyvoreThea]

Oh my gosh! Bianca your dream! This really kicked ass!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Thea!!

[@liddybird3608]

Ooh ooh! I was recently wondering if this was going to happen, and here it is. So happy to see this. I'm noticing there appears to be a small indentation on the top. Would it be possible to insert a micro mosaic or beaded design that would fit in the indent. Perhaps a shiny design in the same color as the tile.

[@marcco44]

Ms. B you always come up with the most amazing projects!! 💡💡 so much fun to watch each week!!🍿

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Marcco!

[@theplussizecostumer]

Awesome!! I had never heard of Plastifclex before watching your channel. They tiles look so cool. I am a handbag maker, though mostly made with fabrics. As such I can say that there is not an easier way to make this bag and still have all the woven parts all encased. Though, as I was watching, I was thinking that maybe if you sandwiched the zip between the lining and the other fabrics that maybe it would work, but turning the bag right side out would have been an absolute PITA. So if you plan to make another clutch, do it exactly like you did for this one. It looks like the best way. And as my hubby often says, whatever works.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! Yeah the lack of turning right-side-out potential of these is limiting 😂

[@squareroutevintage7590]

These came out great!!!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!!

[@randihardy6642]

Yay! So excited for you! You’ve loved these bags since forever ❤

[@dacrayzblaze1]

Ok but that is so freaking cool

[@yobespierre]

those look fantastic! :D you did a great job weaving it together too. the original makers probably had a cobbler's machine which has a small disk as the sewing deck, which allows for much closer seams. honestly, for never had made a bag before, you did a great job. that's about how i would have done it, having never worked with tiles like that before. i really like how that black one came out, that's snazzy!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!!

[@KatieRae_AmidCrisis]

Stunning, Bianca! So *very* pleasing 👌

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@sarahduffy6964]

Amazing!

[@Aldestar7]

You make the most fascinating things.thank you for sharing. ❤

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@StuckinMO]

Whoa!! Have to pause the video to savour for later with a cup of tea and my undivided attention!

[@leslikuyweski4576]

Wow!, I love how this turned out! Well done!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@marieokamoto8791]

Well done! I’ve made quite a few bags but none with that much of a rigid structure so I would still be scratching my head on how to make it. Love the black single sided one, too!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Marie!

[@terrortara6994]

Love the earrings as well very pretty ❤

[@jasonmack2569]

This is so cool

[@betsyvanek9275]

as always ❤

[@lindyfraser6243]

Oh my word! Stopped everything, just had to watch 😂 It came out beautifully!!!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@ageofgrifter]

Looking at the indented square in the middle of each tile I am thinking it would be cool to find Swarovski-like crystals in a close shade of gray-green with flat bottom and glue them in.

[@Lisatheecologist]

this reminds me of Kandi bags. the rave culture of Kandi bracelets has some artists who take the methods of bead bracelets and make purses.

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

Great collaboration!

[@joiedevivre2005]

Great project - thank you so much for sharing! I adore Plasticflex also & own several in black, white (which is now cream), brown & even an elusive red one. A green Plasticflex purse is one of my "Holy Grail" vintage pieces. Now I may be able to have the next best thing.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! I had the same predicament, green plasticflex are just so rare!