I have a confession to make; it’s sad and embarrassing. So here goes, I will simply say it and be done with it, the sooner it is off my shoulders the better.
*cough,
cough*
“Hello, my name is Beth, mother of two, and I have no ability, whatsoever, to wrap gift gifts; birthday, Christmas, wedding, etc., none, zip and nada.”
I can take a roll of decorative paper, a dozen tape dispensers and one child’s scissors and at some point, hours later, there will be a heap of items resembling wrapped gifts. An entire roll of tape has been used, each gift has mushy corners with indiscriminate bumps and rolls across what should be a smooth surface and did I mention an entire roll of tape is used in the process?
I don’t understand it. I’ve two perfectly working opposable thumbs. I have studied gifts received with reverent awe. I have carefully watched my husband, yes, THE hub, wrap gifts with expert ease. I come from a long line of women who wrap with perfection, albeit that they have a tendency to leave price tags on everything, but who cares amongst the smart, sharply wrapped corners and perfectly tied bows?
f for the inevitable
catastrophe that will soon be lumped under the family Christmas tree.
So, for my sisters out there in the world, somewhere, wherever and whoever you should be, that also find themselves stricken with such inability as to wrap something as simple as a toy truck, a small doll or even, a bowling ball. I’m here for you, I sympathize and hey, there’s always the fabric gift bag to turn to for Christmas gifts.
You will need to following from your local arts and crafts supply store:
- Sewing thread, needle, and/or sewing machine
- Scissors
- Decorative garland, ribbon, string, etc.
- Tissue paper
- Safety pin
Depending on how b
ig the gift will determine the size of
your fabric gift bags. For me, I made several small bags for the Christmas
ornaments made for the girls’ teachers at my blog entry Santa’s in the House.
Before seam allowance my bag measured a little over 11
inches in length, six wide, allowing extra length not only for seam but for
turning over at the tops for looping 
ribbon. Use the gift as a guide for how
large a square to cut. I suggest folding fabric, with the bottom of the bag
running along the fold.
Once you have your fabric folded cut with like sides together and iron, then fold the top three to four inches back, iron flat.
I sew the top folds first, leaving enough room for the ribbons, strings, etc. that you plan to use as drawstrings to close the bag. Use your finger as a guide, one finger width is great, two is much safe.
Make sure that when you next sew up the sides you do not sew the top folds for the drawstrings.
Once sewing is complete turn right side out, iron if needed and string ribbon, garland, string or all three through the top folds. A safety pin is a great way to get ribbon through the folds. Fill bottom of bag with tissue or shredded paper, then your gift, and pull close.
Don’t forget your gift tags and remember, I’m here for you!
