Scrap Busters: Wrap Christmas Gifts With Fabric

Embellish Plain Paper

This is the simplest method to dress up a plain package and it requires only a little fabric and no sewing. You can use a plain cardboard box for your gift or wrap the gift in kraft paper. Then, cut a strip of fabric using pinking shears and wrap it around the box. Secure the fabric with twine or a ribbon. Finish off the package with a tag.

Wrap With Fabric

In Japan, hostess and birthday gifts are often wrapped in fabric using a method called Furoshiki. Creating your own fabric wrapped gifts gives a unique look and is eco-friendly because the wrapping is reusable. To do this, start with a large square of fabric. Then, lay your fabric so a corner points toward you (like a diamond) and set your gift in the center. The box should be positioned at an off angle from the fabric so that the corners of the fabric will meet evenly in the center. Tie two opposing ends in a single knot. Tie the remaining two ends in a double knot over the first knot and pull tightly. Then you can embellish the top with a tag, card or candy cane.

Make a Fabric Gift Bow

This DIY works best with a stiffer fabric that will hold its shape when folded. We used Sunbrella® Bliss Aspen (#48135-0008).

1. Use a rotary cutter and mat or scissors to cut nine strips of fabric, each 1-1/4 inches wide: three 10-1/2 inches long, three 9-1/2 inches long, two 8-1/2 inches long and one 7-1/2 inches long. Set the 7-1/2-inch strip aside.

2. Starting with the 10-1/2-inch strips, fold each to create the first layer of the bow. Take the left end of the strip and loop it to the center of the strip. Twist the end of the loop toward the top of the strip to create a pointed loop and glue the end of the strip to the center. Loop the right side over and twist the end the opposite way to create a figure eight. Repeat this process with the two remaining long strips.

3. Layer your first three figure eights: create an "x" with two and glue them in the center. Place the third piece straight across the "x" and secure with glue.

4. Follow step 2 for the 9-1/2-inch strips to create three more figure eights. Place another "x" on top of the first bow layer, filling in the gaps and gluing each piece as you go, finishing with the third medium figure eight straight across the bow.

5. Create two figure eights from the two 8-1/2-inch-long strips and glue them to the bow in an "x" pattern.

6. With the final strip, glue the ends together in a loop that fits snugly into the center of the bow and glue it down.

7. Attach the bow to your box using tape, a glue dot or other reusable method and gift it!

Have you ever used fabric for wrapping presents before? Would you? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments!