Life & Style

Wrap It Up!

Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle, authors of Sewing School and Sewing School 2, love to sew for their families and friends at Christmastime—and very special gifts call for very special packaging. Whether or not this year’s presents are handmade, here are some of their fun ideas for wrapping them with plenty of holiday-inspired TLC!

- Use regular scissors or pinking shears to cut a piece of colorful fabric big enough to wrap around the gift. Try using muslin fabric that you’ve colored with crayons (use a piece of paper and an iron to “set” your design) or embroidered with a special message for the recipient. Use baker’s twine or craft thread to tie it closed.

- Make your own wrapping paper out of newspaper or brown paper. Tie it with bright rickrack or red or green ribbon, or make a yarn tassel that serves as a package topper.

- Give two presents in one! Make a holiday themed Scrappy Art Pin (see Sewing School) and attach it to a card or the outside of your package. Try using simple felt shapes to make a Christmas tree pin, or one shaped like a stocking or Santa’s face.

- Include your favorite cookie recipe with a Too-Hot Holder or purchase some hot cocoa mix to go along with your Cute Coasters (see Sewing School for both projects).

- Use festive fabric scraps to make Wee Bunting (see Sewing School 2: Lessons in Machine Sewing). Wrap the bunting around your gift like ribbon – after they open their present, the recipient can use it to decorate a tiny Christmas tree, hang it on their mantel, or otherwise incorporate it into their regular holiday décor.