· Latch-hook binding or duct tape

Directions:

Smooth each bag flat.

Cut off the handles and bottom.

Make a cut up the side so you have a large flat piece.

Cut each flat piece into strips 1 inch wide and 6 to 8 inches long. The easiest way to do this is to fold the cut-up bag into a smaller rectangle by pleating or folding it one direction only. Cut this rectangle into strips about 1 inch wide; then wrap those strips around a solid object (Michelle uses her hand) and cut across.

Hook each strip into the rug backing, using the latch hook tool (easy instructions are on the Internet or with the latch-hook kits or ask a craft-fabric store employee).

Leave a border of about three unhooked rows on the edges of the rug to make the binding more durable.

Bind the finished hook rug by using rug binding or duct tape (the tape comes in many pretty colors) along the edges to keep the backing from unraveling.

Tips: For this rug, a 37-by-27-inch piece of rug backing makes a completed rug that measures about 40 inches by 30 inches, using about 60 plastic bags.

Time it takes: Michelle and Cecily worked on the rug several hours a week, totaling about 24 hours over a month's time.