Gift Wrapping for the Holidays: Affordable and Sustainable!

In Dutch: Chique kerstverpakkingen zelf maken

Deze blogpost was bedoeld voor de Engelstalige pagina... (menselijk)  foutje... We are so sorry :>)

Fabric gift wraps for the holidays are something you can easily create yourself. It saves a lot of paper and is therefore sustainable and environmentally friendly. Plus, you can reuse these fabric bags and pouches every year. And they're so delightful that they won't get boring.There's something for everyone: for the true minimalist, a gift wrap with a Japanese closure; for the Glamour queen, a luxurious satin bag with a bow; and for the traditional Christmas enthusiast, a nostalgic bag with a zipper!"

Supplies for Gift Wrapping:

For all three gift wraps, you'll need:

• Fabric scraps,
  
• half a meter is more than enough
  
• Fiberfill,
  
• a small piece Ribbon,
  
• lace,
  
• trim,
  
• cord
  
• Threads
  

Soft cotton is great for making wraps, but satin fabric and poplin cotton work well too.

Pattern and Fabric Choice for Holiday Gift Wraps:
I haven't created a specific pattern. You can easily make and adjust the wraps according to your sizes. For the pouches, I'll list the measurements one by one.

However, you can definitely modify these to create wraps for larger or smaller gifts.

1. Gift Wrap for a Minimalist:

This gift wrap is perfect for something flat like a book. The envelope-style wrap is very soft due to the fiberfill inside. The Japanese closure is easy and ideal for a gift.

Here's the method for creating the envelope gift wrap:

1. Cut two rectangles from the poplin cotton and two from the fiberfill, each measuring 31 x 62 cm.
2. Cut off one-third of the fabric. Trim the corners diagonally on both sides of this one-third fabric.
3. Sew the flap (using poplin fabric twice and fiberfill once) to the diagonal sides and the shorter side. Then turn it inside out.
4. Sew the two remaining fabric pieces (and one piece of fiberfill) folded in half on three sides. Leave a small section (5 cm) open on the pocket without the poplin; this will be used to turn it inside out later.
5. Slide the pockets together with right sides facing each other, inserting the flap in between. Sew the top completely closed.
6. Turn the whole thing inside out and sew the remaining open section by hand.
7. Attach the buttons and, on the bottom button's inside, glue the cord (40 cm) in place.
8. Give the whole thing a good press, and the minimalist gift wrap is ready!
   
   

2. Gift Wrap for a Glamour Queen:

This gift wrap is glamorous and looks very luxurious, mainly due to the satin fabric and the beautiful large bow.

Here's the method for creating the glamorous bag:

1. Cut two pieces of fabric measuring 50 x 60 cm.
2. Hem the edges of the fabric using a serger or zigzag stitch.
3. Sew the fabric pieces together with right sides facing each other, leaving a 10 cm gap on one side of the long edge.
4. Arrange the bottom so that the sides and bottoms form a triangle. Sew this at around 4 centimeters, then trim and hem with a serger.
5. Press open the seam at the sides and sew the remaining 10 centimeters using a topstitch.
6. Hem the top edges and thread a cord through it.
7. Create a beautiful bow (see the mentioned website) and sew it onto the front.
8. Lastly, tidy up any loose threads.

3. Gift Wrap for Nostalgic Holidays:
This gift wrap exudes nostalgia, thanks to the beautiful Soft Cotton chosen for the fabric. Additionally, it features a front zipper pocket where you can add an extra gift or a card with a message. Furthermore, the bag is lined.

Here's the method for creating this nostalgic gift wrap:

1. Cut four pieces (65 x 50 cm) from the Soft Cotton and the poplin cotton (lining), and two pieces measuring 25 x 35 cm.
2. Place the small piece with the right side facing up onto the right side of the front of the bag.
3. Draw a slot of 3 x 15 cm or the length of the metal-to-metal zipper. At the beginning and end, draw triangles of about a centimeter.
4. Sew the outer lines of the slot, then cut along the middle line and the two triangles on the sides.
5. Flip the fabric inside out and press it thoroughly.
6. Place the zipper precisely within the slot and sew it onto the front.
7. Lay the second small piece over the zipper fabric and sew them together, but NOT onto the front of the bag. The pocket remains loose behind the zipper. Finish the edges with a serger.
8. Now sew both large pockets with right sides together on three sides, leaving the top open. Similar to the previous bags, leave a 15-centimeter opening on one side.
9. Slide the pockets together and sew the top edges. Turn inside out through the side opening.
10. Slide them back together with wrong sides facing each other. Sew the sides, as with the glamour bag, and finally, the top, leaving a 2-centimeter slot for a cord.
11. Tidy up any loose threads and add a cute bead zipper pull to the zipper

Conclusion on Holiday Gift Wraps:

As you can see, creating beautiful gift wraps isn't too complicated. The significant advantage is that you no longer need to buy environmentally harmful glossy paper that often gets discarded after one use. You can use these bags for years or give them to others as part of the gift.

Get creative and make something beautiful! Or keep it minimalistic and chic.
With satin, poplin cotton, or Soft Cotton, a bit of cord, a recycled zipper, and some beads, you'll have beautiful gift wraps in no time!