You can find a wealth of ideas for wrapping presents with paper and ribbon. If you want to try something different, a gift wrapping technique that is both lovely and environmentally friendly, look no further than furoshiki.
The technique originates in Japan and is simply cloth that you fold in various ways to wrap items to give as gifts — both for boxes for under the tree or for housewarming or hostess gifts. You can also make shopping bags or decorative items for your home.
You can buy cloth specifically designed for furoshiki folding, but it’s easy enough to use festive cloth and hem it, or else find scarves at consignment shops to use. We’ve also seen it done with cloth napkins and decorative dish towels.
Katie and I tried out a few different folds to demonstrate how easy it is to master furoshiki. We consulted the furoshiki Web site and its handy step-by-step descriptions of folds.
Wrap number 1. We started with a big square cloth and used the four-bottles wrap to wrap some beer. The technique also works with wine bottles, or any tall narrow bottle for that matter.
Wrap number 2. Then, we made the hand-carry bag wrap.
This one is perfect for spontaneous trips to the Farmer’s Market.
Wrap number 3. We wrapped a single bottle of champagne using one of the many bottle wrap techniques.
Would you love to open a hostess gift presented in such a unique and special way. You could also use a dish or tea towel instead of a scarf that becomes part of the gift as well.
Wrap number 4. We folded the scarf around a hard-bound book using the versatile basic fold.
Here’s what it looks like when you use that same wrapping technique for a larger shirt box.
Wrap number 5. We wrapped two toys using the box wrap.
Wrap number 6. Last, we made a simple over-the-shoulder shopping bag. This one is good for when you’re out and about and you make a spontaneous purchase.
Stylish and practical, wouldn’t you say?
Posted by Leslie
