How to wrap gifts in fabric

Forget about paper and wrap your gifts beautifully and eco-friendly with me!

Learn with me the best way to wrap a gift for your loved ones. Wrapping gifts in fabric is a traditional method of wrapping that uses different sized fabric squares to protect the gift while creating that MOMENT OF SURPRISE that is so desired. I fell in love with this method of wrapping so I wanted to make my own "wrapping fabric paper" for Christmas.

I can't find any way to describe to you the joy I had when I gave gifts in my own fabric wrapping for the first time this year! I thought to myself, how nice it looks, what will others do with the fabric wrap. I wondered if I could inspire them to wrap their gifts in a more eco-friendly way too? I'm just so excited, and I hope I will inspire you too!

Why is it better to wrap gifts in fabric than in paper?

There are many reasons why it is better to wrap gifts in fabric rather than paper. While there is wrapping paper that is easily recyclable, it's just kind of plain, grey looking... and we like to wrap gifts in something more festive! So most often we use paper that is decorated in some way. But shiny ornaments, plastic decorations or glitters make the paper already harder to biodegrade.

I remember my grandmother's solution to the eco-friendly Christmas was not to tear the gift wrapping, but to carefully untape it, unwrap it and put it in the stack. Grandma then stored this stack in the closet where the wrapping paper was waiting to be used again for the next year. And I decided that I would make a stack like that too! But actually out of fabric squares!!

Is it difficult to make fabric squares?

Making fabric squares is very simple and can be done by a complete beginner - just like me. I wanted to make the squares extra pretty so I decided to use my sewing machine and hem the fabric squares nicely, but you don't have to do that either. All you need is a needle and thread and you can simply hem the piece of fabric in your hand. 

 

What fabric to use to make the squares?

The traditional fabric for making fabric squares are either cotton or satin. Satin is mainly used for more formal occasions (or so it seems to me!) and ready-made squares can now be bought in online shops and look JUST gorgeous! 

I definitely recommend a good quality cotton fabric for making squares at home though! And it's up to you whether it's decorated like mine with a Christmas design, whether it's polka dots, stripes or just plain colors. Just make sure it's not transparent!

TIP: Sewing supply stores usually have a section where you could find scraps of fabric on sale. Which is a great opportunity just for fabric squares for gift wrapping! You don't need a lot of fabric for this, you can buy fabric for as little as one piece, and you save money!

What do we need to make fabric squares? 

We only need a few things to make fabric squares!

  • Cotton fabric,
  • thread,
  • sewing pins and
  • a sewing machine or needle. 

How big fabric squares for gift wrapping to make?

Fabric squares can come in a variety of sizes (in fact, they don't even have to be squares!). The essential thing is, how big do you want to wrap? This time I packed boxes with a diameter of 6 cm and a height of about 5 cm. So I made smaller squares with a side of about 25 cm.

As for the size of the squares, they usually make them in sizes:

  • 30×30 cm,
  • 50x50 cm and
  • 70×70 cm.

How to make fabric squares for gift wrapping?

First you need to prepare the fabric. Measure the size of the squares on the fabric. I measured about 30×30 cm. The squares don't even have to be very precise. That's the great thing about it, any unevenness or mistakes get lost in the wrapping!
 
Fold the edges of the square twice about 1 cm from the edge and secure the fabric with pins. This will help to keep the edges from unrolling as you sew. On a sewing machine or just by hand, sew the fabric at the inner part of the fold and cut off the remaining thread. Pay extra attention to the corners of the square where more fabric crosses, so you'd best sew it in more than once. Iron over the final fabric squares with an iron to make them beautifully smooth and you're ready to wrap presents!
 
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Cut squares from the fabric. I cut a size of about 30x30 cm.
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Squares don't have to be perfect!
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Fold the edges of the square twice about 1 cm from the edge.
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Experienced seamstresses can do without pinning.
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On a sewing machine or by hand, sew the fold at the inside edges.
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Iron the squares and place the gift in the center of the square for wrapping.

How to wrap gifts in fabric squares?

 There are many ways you can wrap a gift in fabric. The easiest is to put the gift item in the center of the fabric square. If you want to wrap multiple smaller items, it's a good idea to tie them together first so they hold their shape and wrap better.
 
Then fold all the corners of the fabric square over the item one by one.
Tie the ends of the fabric together either with a rubber band, string, or just make a knot.
You can add decoration to the wrapped gift ( sprigs or wooden decorations look beautiful) and of course you can add a name tag or message!
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Fold all the corners of the square over the item one by one.
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Tie the fabric with a knot.
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Or use a rubber band or string.
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The wrapped gift should not move in the fabric - i.e. it should be wrapped tightly.

TIPS:
- the fabric squares can also be sewed directly and you don't have to fold the edges twice - only for more formal occasions I find it nicer to have the edges really clean looking
- instead of pinning, you can try just ironing over the folded edges - this will also secure the fabric
- for more ideas on how to wrap gifts in fabric, try searching online for Japanese Furoshiki gift wrapping

Recipe

How to make fabric squares for gift wrapping?

What do we need:

  • Cotton fabric,
  • a ruler and a pencil,
  • thread,
  • sewing pins and
  • a sewing machine or needle. 

Instructions:

  1. Measure the size of the squares on the fabric, either by eye or with a ruler. Standard sizes are 30×30 cm, 50×50 cm and 70x70 cm.
  2. Fold the edges of the square twice about 1 cm from the edge and secure the fabric with pins.
  3. Using a sewing machine or just by hand, sew the fabric to the inside of the fold and cut the remaining thread. Pay particular attention to the corners of the square where more fabric crosses.
  4. Iron over the final fabric squares with an iron to make them beautifully smooth and you're ready to wrap presents!
 
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