From the page: A PET bottle holds more value than it seems
Idea 5
PET textile thread
Decades ago, the textile industry discovered that the same plastic as bottles, when melted and spun, becomes the polyester fiber of many fabrics. At home, you can capture a version of that miracle by cutting the bottle into continuous threads, which gain strength and slight flexibility because of the elongated molecular structure of PET.
What you need
- Clean, dry PET bottles (2-liter ones yield more)
- A very sharp craft knife
- Sturdy scissors
- Adhesive tape or highlighter for marking
- A firm cutting surface
How to make it
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1
Wash the bottle inside and out and dry it well, because slippery plastic makes precise cutting difficult and the thread comes out uneven.
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2
With the craft knife, make a small cut on the top edge of the bottle, where the plastic is thicker — that's the starting point of the thread.
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3
Mark a slightly diagonal line along the body of the bottle with the tape: the more slanted the line, the wider and more "ribbon-like" the thread; almost straight, the thinner and rounder.
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4
Cut following the diagonal calmly and with constant pressure, rotating the bottle little by little — the continuity of the motion is what makes the thread come out long, without interruptions.
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5
Gently pull the end of the thread over a firm edge (like the corner of a table), carefully: this smooths the burrs and gives a slight waviness, which helps the thread grip knots.
Finishing touches
This thread is great for stitching strong points on tarps and outdoor mats, tying seedlings in the garden, or weaving sturdy baskets. Join several strips with a fisherman's knot to get greater lengths without losing strength.
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