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I’m not sure about you, but wrapping a gift has become a bit of a chore. Don’t get me wrong, I love finding and giving the perfect gift, but these days, I am that much more thrilled when the gift is from a local store that provides a wrapping service. I NEVER used to allow a store to wrap my gifts and now I quickly say, “Yes, please.”
Several years ago when I was out of tape, I reached for a random square baby blanket I had never used to wrap the gift. Loved that. So did the recipient. Since, I’ve been known to wrap gifts with kitchen towels, scarves and cut burlap. Why? It’s easy and the paper waste after a gift opening frenzy just makes me a bit sad. Plus, my kids are forever absconding with my tape. Not needing it, or scissors, adds happiness to the gift wrapping process.
Fabric wrapped gift, made from DIY patterned cotton fabric. Click for details. Image courtesy of Poppytalk.
Well, little did I know that the Japanese have been wrapping like this for eons. There are even entire books devoted to creative ways to use squares of fabric to easily wrap a gift — no matter the shape.
Jennifer Playford's book is one of several that exist on the multiple ways to wrap a gift with fabric.
From Chewing the Cud's fabric gift wrap line. Click for details.
More images from Chewing the Cud's fabric gift wrap line. Click for details.
I’ve been able to find pre-made wrapping fabric for around $16 a square, which I actually think is a little steep. But, it’s done and if enough people start using them, chances are you will only need to buy a few and the recycling among friends will begin. There are several $10 sale options I found at Chewing the Cud, click here.
I'd love to credit this picture to it's source, but I can't find where it originated. How sweet is this though? A great way to wrap party favors for a wedding or even take away boxes from a restaurant. A restaurant that did this would inspire me to go back!
For the crafty, consider buying some fabric and cutting 28″ squares for a basic size. Keep 15″ squares on hand for small gifts, as well. Sew a seam around and voila! But, honestly, I bet there are plenty of fabrics that you could just cut and add No-Fray Spray to (click here if you have no idea what that is) and voila — gift wrap! As simple as this is, within a couple of hours, you could have enough fabric gift wrap to last an entire year.
With these fabric squares are on hand, you know you will want to use them to line bread baskets and more. In fact, look at what one 35″ square fabric can accomplish:
This piece of fabric will set you back $50. That's expensive gift wrap. But, it's fun to see all that you can do with it!
Honestly, I would never take the time to do all this, but again, it helps to imprint that we can do more with our wrapping than simply throw it away.
Anyone else suddenly want to go to France?
Last three images courtesy of UGUisU.
Here’s a video to show you how easy it is to wrap in fabric. Are you convinced? Happy wrapping!
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10 Responses to “Wrapping Made Easy”
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Great post! Loved the video.
Charming! But gee, Liza, what about all those school wrapping paper sales? I’m still working through boxes and boxes of wrapping paper–and my youngest is in high school!
Don’t get me started on the wrapping paper sales:-) I now just write a check, no need to purchase!
Great post and beautiful fabric! Also, a recent gift from Tea Collection children’s clothing came wrapped in the company’s “signature Furoshiki Gift Wrap.” More info here http://www.teacollection.com/help/gift-giving, including instructions on how to use and reuse the wrap.
Love this idea! The 27″ Furochic squares in the video start at $10 and there is a six-pack for $45. Very pretty patterns. http://www.furochic.com/cat_list.php?id=1&id2=1
Fiftyforward, (formerly Senior Citizens) has a Threadfest twice a year at the Knowles Center.
They literally have mountains of fabric for something like $1.00 a yard. It was my first thought. Lots of local designers can be sighted at every sale. I am not sure when the next one is but I am going to get it on my calendar. LOVE THIS IDEA.
Fifty Forward – Knowles Center
174 Rains Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 743-3400
Wow I just pinned this to Pinterest and 7 people repinned while I was watching the video!
wow I just love this! i have soooo many pieces of fabric from samples for clients that don’t get used, perfect idea :) i have made many a pillow for my daughters apts. out of these squares as well. I love using old pillows and recovering them in something fun. Repurposing fabric works for me. I have used flat sheets as lining for drapes and bed throws. Fun!
I love this and have been wrapping gifts in fabric for a while. One Valentines I wrapped my beloveds gifts in Ganesha scarfs…all different colors but same pattern. A friend recently gave me a gift wrapped in a Ganesha scarf and I was really excited until she said its her favorite scarf, I could keep what was wrapped but she wanted the wrapping back.
It also makes gift wrapping fun with children. Great post!
If you like fabric gift wrapping idea, please visit our blog: http://www.furoshikiclub.blogspot.com You can find many interesting posts on japanese furoshiki.