Using fabric as gift wrap

Fabric is a great, eco-friendly gift-wrapping material, although many people don't know how to properly wrap a present with it. Highlighted below are a few simple techniques for wrapping everything from gift cards to boxes by using fabric.

For a versatile and unique approach to gift-wrapping, consider using furoshiki techniques and a swath of your favourite fabric.

• Instead of placing the box that is to be wrapped in the centre of a square piece of fabric, rotate the material so that it creates a diamond.
• Place the box in the centre of this diamond and choose any corner to begin folding. The selected corner should be pulled across to the opposite side of the box.
• Tuck in any excess material.
• The corner of the diamond across from the already folded corner should be folded back and then pulled over to create a straight line across the top of the box.
• After this step has been completed, two unfolded corners should remain.
• Tuck in the edges on one of these corners, thereby creating a tail shaped like a triangle.
• Repeat this step for the final unfolded corner of the fabric. The tails on each side of the gift should then be pulled on top of the box and used to create a basic overhand knot.

For those unable to manage the intricacies of furoshiki wrapping or other stylish fabric wrapping techniques, it is still possible to use fabric to conceal a gift.

• Simply place the gift on top of a flat piece of fabric before gathering its ends near the top of the object.
• Use a ribbon to tie the excess fabric and to keep the gift in place. This is an excellent method for creating small gift bags.

The gift card remains an excellent option for anyone struggling to find a suitable present for his or her intended gift recipient. Unfortunately, the presentation of said gift card is usually boring, with the card simply being stuffed in an envelope or inside a boring Hallmark card.

• With a small piece of leftover fabric, a sewing needle and a bit of thread, it is possible to create a unique and attractive gift card holder.
• A poster board template is necessary for this project, as is a piece of fabric for the lining and an alternative fabric pattern for the outside of the holder and its flaps.
• Velcro can be sewed on to these flaps, thereby making it easy to open and close the gift card holder.