How to Use Fabric to Wrap Gifts

Reusable fabric can be a new and beautiful way to wrap your gifts this year, it is a very environmentally-friendly way to cut back on the over 4 million tons of paper waste that is created each year over the winter holidays. Reusable fabric as gift wrap is not a new idea. It is actually a traditional art used in Japan called furoshiki. Follow this guide for a method of wrapping your gifts in furoshiki style. The recipient may be so pleased by your beautiful wrapping that he may not want to open the gift!

Instructions

1. Lay a square of fabric flat on a surface in a diamond shape.

2. Set the gift you intend to wrap in the center of the fabric.

3. Grab the right hand corner of your diamond. Bring it over the center.

4. Pull the left hand corner of your diamond over the center of your gift. Tie the corners together in a standard square knot.

5. Grab the top corner of your diamond and bring it over to the center of the gift.

6. Grab the bottom corner of your diamond. Bring it to the center of your gift. Tie the corners together in a standard square knot.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a fabric in the favorite color of your gift recipient.

• Avoid spending too much on the fabric--unless you plan on asking for it back when you are done. Buy discount scrap fabrics whenever possible and customize the fabric to fit your needs.

Resources

• Furoshiki cloths available for purchase and other techniques