Wrapped up...

I wrote this post for the Crafty Christmas Club and thought I'd share it here as well. As Christmas is our next big celebration, I have used mainly Christmas colours, but the ideas could be adapted to any situation that involves wrapping presents. Just vary the fabrics to suit the occasion.

I've been experimenting with different types of fabric bags to use instead of wrapping paper. After use, the bags can be packed away, ready for next time. This will save the mountains of paper that we tend to use each year.

Pictured above are the easiest bags to make. They only takes a couple of minutes. 

• Sew 2 pieces of fabric, right sides together.
• Use pinking shears on the 3 seams. If using a non-directional print,  only 2 side seams are needed.
• Turn right side out and finish the top with pinking shears.
• Tie with the ribbon of your choice.

The green bag pictured only takes a few minutes longer.

• Place 2 pieces of fabric, right sides together.
• Place 2 pieces of ribbon into one of the seams.
• Sew the seams
• Finish the seams with a zig zag or serger.
• Hem the top.

Drawstring bags can be made as big or as small as you need them. I used this Treasure Bag tutorial. These bags can be part of the gift for the recipient and can be used for a myriad of things.

The last type of bag I'll be using for wrapping, will be the totes pictured. These can be left as is, or tied with ribbons. I've also experimented with using red hair clips to keep them closed. The totes can, of course, be made in any size. They can be reused the next year, or can be part of the gift for the recipient. I used this tote pattern.

Now that I've worked out how I will be wrapping presents, I'd better get moving on making the actual presents.