Furoshiki Wrapping
Our neighbors next door and across the street have given us some fabulous gifts from Germany and India. They are very generous and the only way I can recriprocate is to give hand made:this year rye bread, banana bread, cookies, etc.
I don't like to waste things, so lately I've been interested in furoshiki. Furoshiki is a Japanese cloth wrap originally used to carry bundles, tie up clothes, and now used mainly as a way to wrap gifts. I like these wraps for giving handmade gifts. And since I've got tons of fabric scraps, I can make a fabric wrap almost easier than wrapping with paper.
I don't like to waste things, so lately I've been interested in furoshiki. Furoshiki is a Japanese cloth wrap originally used to carry bundles, tie up clothes, and now used mainly as a way to wrap gifts. I like these wraps for giving handmade gifts. And since I've got tons of fabric scraps, I can make a fabric wrap almost easier than wrapping with paper.
Since the gifts are food, the first step is to wash, dry and iron the fabric. Even though I've got the bread wrapped in foil or waxed paper, I still want fresh washed fabric.
Then cut a square.
I admit it, I was lazy -actually in a rush- and didn't turn under the edges and miter the corner. Ursel brought over our gift yesterday and Ashok gave us a gift on Saturday, so I'm behind a couple of days.
I used pinking shears so no sewing was needed as this will keep the fabric from unraveling too much.
But you really should turn under the edges and miter the corners.
Then cut a square.
I admit it, I was lazy -actually in a rush- and didn't turn under the edges and miter the corner. Ursel brought over our gift yesterday and Ashok gave us a gift on Saturday, so I'm behind a couple of days.
I used pinking shears so no sewing was needed as this will keep the fabric from unraveling too much.
But you really should turn under the edges and miter the corners.
I cut a couple of small squares for the little rye loaves.
I made a little box to hold the cookies.
I teach my students this box as it is easy and adaptable.
I knew I wanted a smallish box so I used paper 9x12. Fold in half (like a book); open, fold each side to the middle making four sections.
Open and fold the other direction into three sections. You can measure (3 inch squares) or you can estimate (which is what I do). You should have 12 three-inch squares.
Cut 3 times on both sides of the box on the longer sides. Then the box folds up almost magically.
I added a little wax paper liner inside, but probably not necessary. But then again, Ursel is German so I don't like to offend.
Then make a little lock hinge thing for closing the box. Trim the side flaps for the top to make it close a little easier. Punch a couple of holes through the hinge and the side and thread a ribbon through the holes.
I made a little box to hold the cookies.
I teach my students this box as it is easy and adaptable.
I knew I wanted a smallish box so I used paper 9x12. Fold in half (like a book); open, fold each side to the middle making four sections.
Open and fold the other direction into three sections. You can measure (3 inch squares) or you can estimate (which is what I do). You should have 12 three-inch squares.
Cut 3 times on both sides of the box on the longer sides. Then the box folds up almost magically.
I added a little wax paper liner inside, but probably not necessary. But then again, Ursel is German so I don't like to offend.
Then make a little lock hinge thing for closing the box. Trim the side flaps for the top to make it close a little easier. Punch a couple of holes through the hinge and the side and thread a ribbon through the holes.
I stacked up all the gifts in the center of the cloth (about 20 inches square).
There are a lot of ways to tie up the cloth.
Here is a pdf that shows many different ways to tie. Fun!
http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.pdf
There are a lot of ways to tie up the cloth.
Here is a pdf that shows many different ways to tie. Fun!
http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.pdf