Things You'll Need
Ruler or tape measure (optional)
Marker or felt tip pen
Utility knife
Scissors
Plastic bottles that are used in packaging soda, water and juice are versatile objects that can be used for many home and craft projects once they are empty. The bottles can be made into planters, bird feeders, potpourri holders, funnels and many types of children's projects. One thing that almost all plastic bottle craft projects require is cutting the bottle. This can seem tricky since the bottle is a cylinder. However, when done skillfully, it takes only a few minutes to accomplish.
Step 1
Stand the plastic bottle up on its bottom and decide where you want to cut it. If you are creating a project that requires a specific depth, such as a flower planter, place a ruler or tape measure at the bottom of the bottle and measure up to the proper distance.
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Step 2
Draw a line all the way around the plastic bottle using a felt tip pen or a marker. The easiest way to draw the line is to hold the marker or pen still and spin the bottle until you arrive back at the starting point of the line.
Step 3
Grasp the bottle with one hand to hold it still and insert a utility knife into the marked line until it pierces the plastic bottle.
Step 4
Set the utility knife aside and insert the tips of a pair of sharp scissors into the hole. Cut all the way around the marked line until the plastic bottle separates into two pieces.
Tip
To cut the bottle lengthwise, cut off the top as described and then use scissors to cut down along the length of the bottle in the desired locations.
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