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Every so often I get the urge to give myself a challenge. Experimentation breeds both masterpieces and of course some of the most hideous creations, but as I’ve come to discover it is often more about the process than the end result!

Halloween had come and gone… and this year I decided to be a zombie lab technician, when I ordered the elements for my costume the company accidentally shipped me an entire case of green Nitri-Chem lab gloves instead of one pair. I figured I would at some point in time do enough cleaning to actually use all the gloves but then came the dilemma of where to store them and, who can actually use that many pairs of gloves? So in lieu of using them as stocking stuffers, I thought I’d reconstruct them and turn them into a handbag.

I’m still unsure at this point if I actually like the end result but as I said earlier it was the process that I enjoyed. And in case you would like to try your hand at one I documented the process just for fun:

* MATERIALS *

1. 8-10 pairs of sturdy rubber gloves

2. Nylon Fabric (for the bag lining)

3. (1) Zipper or Magnetic Snap

4. Handbag hardware (chains, rings etc. for the shoulder strap)

5. Decorative accessories

6. Scissors

7. Thread

8. Sewing pins

9. Sewing Machine

* STEP 1 *

Using a pair of scissors begin to cut apart each glove. I found it easiest to remove the cuff portion first, then slit it open on one side and cut the cuff area into four strips. After dismantling the cuff, cut the top “finger area” of the glove into strips. I cut the finger holes open at the seams to maximize the surface area and to eliminate waste. After all the gloves had been cut apart I began pining the pieces together to form longer strips for weaving.

I wanted to give this bag a very rough textural look so when I began piecing the strips together I twisted some so that the white inside would show through. None of the strips were at all uniform except in length.

* STEP 2 *

After all the strips have been pinned together in a pattern that you like attach the pieces together on your sewing machine. I decided to use black thread with haphazard top stitching to emphasize that rough look I was after.

* STEP 3*

Once all of the rubber strips have been sewn together you can begin weaving them together. I found that assembly was easiest on top of an ironing board so you have something to pin the strips down to while you are weaving. It is important to keep the strips flat throughout this process to eliminate bunching and to ensure that the panel you create is straight on all sides.

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Now that you have all the strips woven together you are ready to stitch the edges to secure them. After the entire piece is sewn together you can trim any excess from the edges.

*Repeat steps 1-3 to create a second panel for the other side if the bag.

* STEP 4 *

After both panels have been woven it’s time to select a fabric for the bag lining. I suggest a sturdy nylon since the woven panels do have a bit if stretch to them and it’s important that the bag has some structure to it.

* STEP 5*

Zipper installation…one of my least favorite parts of the process, I wasn’t exactly sure how well this would work given that this was a foreign material…but it wasn’t so bad.

Now that the zipper is in place, you can install the clasp hardware for your shoulder strap and pin and sew the seams of the lining and shell. Then turn the bag right side out and your almost done!

*STEP 6 *

All that’s left is adding the shoulder strap and any other decorative elements. I selected a mid-weight chain for this particular bag. I liked the contrast between the rugged weave and black top stitching, it added just the right amount of sparkle. I also added a another piece of chain to one side and a few signature fashionjenn charms…I guess I just can’t live without a little extra bling!

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In all, the bag took about 5 hours to complete from start to finish…minus a few breaks. It’s not exactly a “green” bag when you take into account what kind of chemicals were used to produce the rubber gloves. But it is a new way to recycle something I had acquired by mistake. I think I have enough gloves left over to make a clutch and a pair or two leftover to use for heavy duty housework.