MAKE | HOW TO – Use “Furoshiki” (cloth gift wrapping)

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By Phillip Torrone
Posted 2006/11/27 @ 9:21 am
Category Craft, Home

The Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan has a guide (PDF) on using cloth as opposed to paper for wrapping gifts to cut down on the wasted paper usually used in gift wrap, great idea – Link.

Thanks Lil!

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Stitch and hem gift bags – Link.

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5 Responses to HOW TO – Use “Furoshiki” (cloth gift wrapping)

brlittle on November 27th, 2006 at 4:21 am said:

We’ve been using cloth giftwrap here in the States for years, but we do it a little differently. Typically, we’ll hit Wal-Mart, Ben Franklin Crafts, Hancock Fabrics and similar places for good deals on Christmas fabric the day after Christmas. Then over the year we’ll sew a variety of bags, large and small, out of it. They range from simple three-sides-topped-with-rickrack jobs to large, tunneled ones with drawstrings and toggles and such.

The year my daughter was adopted from China, we used a semi-pricey imported Chinese brocade in red and gold, which was a big hit. It’s extra work, but it looks really good under the tree.

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onlyocelot on November 27th, 2006 at 8:49 am said:

So where can we get them in the US? Failing that, what are the ‘right’ dimensions and cloth textures according to the tradition?

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onlyocelot on November 27th, 2006 at 9:05 am said:

OK, answer my own question…

A web search shows (where I can actually read the dimensions) a couple of sizes. Whether traditional or nouveau, I have no idea.
18″ x 18″
19.5″ square
27″ square
41.3″ square

I am guessing that traditionally, they are made, not bought, and they are sized according to what is needed to properly cover the gift or package.

I was not able to find anything that actually addressed how edges are finished.

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brlittle on November 27th, 2006 at 9:35 am said:

You could finish the edges with a simple hem and it would look fine.

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mwproductions on November 27th, 2006 at 10:49 am said:

In Honolulu, you can buy it at Shirokiya. I’ll bet you can get it at Uwajimaya in Seattle. Now all I need to do is find a place in Spokane that sells it…

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