gift wrap with fabric

[natalex]

Wal-mart sometimes has some really nice fabric for $1 a yard and I'll stock up on fabric for any old use. I was trying to think of a creative way to wrap a present for my sister and I thought to use the fabric I just bought the other day. It adds some dynamics under the tree and if it's a big gift, the person can keep the fabric for something else. Also, if you need to wrap something that is oddly-shaped and you don't like how the wrapping paper folds all weird, fabric makes it much easier.

[TPK]

Smart idea.  I've also used thrift-store scarves the same way and it makes for some very pretty gifts.

Do you know about furoshiki?  It's a Japanese method of wrapping and tying fabric to cover gifts.  Very easy to do, and looks gorgeous.  This link shows several wrapping styles.

http://www.nancysnotions.com/Nancys/assets/html/furoshiki.asp?URLCheck=1

ETA: Since the above link seems to have gone kablooie, here's another site that shows a number of furoshiki wrapping styles.  It's all in Japanese, but the photos are pretty easy to follow.

http://furoshiki.homepage.jp/01tutumi/index.html

[natalex]

Thanks, that is really nifty. This way, the people can use the scarves later.

[sweets4ever]

This is such a great idea!  I know it's an oldie, but it's definitely a goodie!  I blogged about it this morning. http://craftster.org/blog/?p=148  Thanks for sharing!

[natalex]

Oh neat. That was a long time ago, like two boyfriends and four apartments ago, lol!

But what I like doing now is buying wrapping paper at thrift stores because you can really find some old-timey designs and it's super cheap.