Wrap it up! (with fabric)
I admit it, I’m a fabric wrapping fanatic. Sure, you can wrap gifts with maps, magazine pages, comics from the newspaper, kids’ drawings and other no cost eco-friendlier alternative to buying new paper, but I love so many things about fabric alternatives:
- I used to sew and I still have a closet full of fabric I loved-when my kids who are now in their thirties were babies, that is. Now I get to use these pieces up!
- When my mom passed away, she left me many gorgeous silk scarves. I don’t wear scarves because they make me feel like I’m playing dress up. I began using these scarves to wrap gifts for my grandchildren. Now there is meaning even in the wrapping. They are receiving gifts from their great grandmother!
- I love the feel of fabric. There is something so much more substantial than paper.
- You can wrap any size gift in fabric, from a ring to a…well, I suppose you could wrap a car if you had a big enough piece!
- Of course, you can use the same piece over and over again, and I gently encourage recipients to reuse, though giving credit where credit is due, generally my friends and family are bright enough to realize this for themselves.
- Using fabric is quick, simple and absolutely gorgeous. No scissors, tape, or even ribbon is needed.
Because I am a crafter and have plenty of fabric on hand, I don’t purchase fabric wraps, but for those of you who don’t have the time to cut out and sew the edges of a wrap or are not a hoarder of bold and beautiful fabric from the early seventies, you can now buy gorgeous wraps from two of my favorite people*.
At first glance, you might think that Patricia Lee and Jenn Playford would be sworn enemies. After all, they both make fabric wraps and they have books out on wrapping. But each is so unique in her own way and both are so committed to this way of gifting, that there is little to fight over. If I were you, I’d check both books and each of their wraps if you’re hungry for the complete picture on this topic.
Jenn, of Furochic, is a designer/illustrator whose work is clean lined and modern, yet infused with ageless influences and, my favorite part, colorful! She’s the kind of designer whose work, once you get to know it, you’ll forever instantly recognize. Her wraps are cotton and very easy to work with. If you want to teach young children to wrap, I’d highly recommend Jenn’s Furochic wraps.
Patricia’s Bobowraps are made from silky fabric, ooh la la gorgeous and sophisticated. She does buy new fabric, but bolt ends that otherwise might end up in the landfill.
Next up, lessons in wrapping with fabric and more gift wrapping ideas.
*For the sake of transparency, you should know that both Patricia and Jenn have sent us wraps to try and also a copy of each of their books. But hopefully you know us well enough by now to realize that if we don’t like a product and believe in its value, we just don’t mention it.
Do you wrap with fabric? If not, why not?
Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, and founders of Green Halloween®.
