Sometimes, old ways are best. Furoshiki, the traditional Japanese cloth wraps used to carry objects and to present gifts, are an ancient idea that’s new again. Not only are furoshiki beautiful to look at, but because furoshiki is also reusable, it’s about as “green” as you can get. No wrapping paper, no waste.
As the editor of this beautiful new book, Furoshiki Fabric Wraps by the Pixeladies, I got my first introduction to this fascinating art. Along with Diane Pedersen, our staff photographer, I had a great time meeting and working with authors Kris Sazaki and Deb Cashatt, aka the Pixeladies. These two, who are old friends as well as artistic colleagues, are full of spirit and fun. And they are experts at creating handmade furoshiki cloths and at wrapping, knotting, and tying them in dozens of artful ways. Click here to see a couple more projects from the book.
In our photo studio, we watched, amazed, as they transformed various squares of fabric into a basket to hold a green plant, a little “goldfish” to contain a deck of cards, a shoulder bag, and more. And after trying a few of these myself, I can report that it really is fun to learn! One of my favorites—because it’s simple to do, yet looks so impressive—is the Two-Bottle Wrap. What a great way to bring a couple of bottles of wine to a dinner party!
Deb and Kris
In this book, Kris and Deb generously share their knowledge and skills. You’ll learn how to create lovely furoshiki cloths using basic sewing skills (There are no-sew versions, too!) You’ll even find ideas—accompanied by a gallery of gorgeous photo examples—for creating lovely effects using surface design techniques such as painting and computer graphics. Super-simple, illustrated, step-by-step instructions show you how to wrap five basic shapes—bag, box, flat, bottle, and basket.
Best of all, if you are presenting a gift wrapped in a furoshiki, you can tuck in one of the perforated tear-out cards located in the back of the book; they bear instructions for knotting and tying the wrap, so the recipient can use the furoshiki again. Now that’s paying it forward!
Now for the giveaway…one lucky person will win a copy of Furoshiki Fabric Wraps!
To enter, leave a comment on this post telling us about the most creative host/hostess gift you’ve ever given or received.
For an additional entry, log in to your Amazon account and “like” this book, then come back here to leave a second comment saying you did so.
Deadline to enter is Sunday, February 26, 2012. One comment will be drawn at random to win…the winner will be contacted via email and posted here on the blog next week. Good luck!
Congrats to Sunny, who won a copy of Thread Magic Garden from last week’s giveaway post.
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87 Comments
That is so cool!! Didn’t know you could wrap so much!
That is so wonderful. I’ve never heard of this before but my interest is piqued! It looks like a lovely book.
Probably the most creative gift I’ve ever given has been a quilt and I’ve given away many!
I just saw this for the first time in another book and I loved the idea. Any gift you gave wrapped like these would be the best gift ever!
This looks like a beautiful book. What a great way to destash!
When I visited Japan, I found that most shops wrapped each purchase creatively.
O.K. I went to Amazon.com and “liked” the book!
I love to use scraps of fabric to wrap gifts for my craft friends. I have bought fat quarters of fabric that they would like and wrap small gifts in the quarters: a composition book, a pen, a set of stickers and a glue stick (for instance) for art journaling. I’d LOVE this book! It looks super
I have used completed quilts as the wrapping for a baby shower present and I’ve used the backing for a quilt as the wrapping for a wedding shower gift which I then took back from her and at the wedding presented them with the finished quilt! Would love the book for even more ideas!
also liked on my amazon!
I like to wrap little things in fq’s for sending things in the mail. Adds the packing and wrapping all at the same time. BUT it’s NEVER this cute!!
Wow. This looks awesome! I surely need a copy of this book :)
I found an independent bookstore near where I would be visiting, bought a gift certificate over the phone and was able to hand delver it in a handmade wallet.
The most creative gift that I have given is baking dishes and supplies with a personal favorite recipe. I would love the book- really looks cool.
I “liked” the book on Amazon- even put it on my wish list :)
I try to be mindful of what the host/hostess would really appreciate and to give something that won’t complicate their evening or add to “stuff” they don’t really need. I love to give just a couple flowers in a recycled jar that can be regifted or put in the recycling bin when they’re done.
And I “liked” the book on Amazon.
I received the gift of a picture of my new home handpainted on a tin plate to hang in my new home, my friend is so talented!
when the guy showed up for the party with some fish for the soup and the fish were still alive. He had them in a styrofoam cooler with an air filter… now that is FRESH!!!
I like it here and I liked it on amazon!
I love wrapping items in fabric especially for my “sewing” freinds and family. It’s double gift giving! I especially like the bottle wrap in a hand embellished fabric.
Love these ideas! I received some hand dyed scarves and directions for how to make my own! they were wrapped in another scarf.
I also liked this book on Amazon!
I need this book because I’ve never been very creative when wrapping gifts.
When I made a quilt for my step-son from his father’s bluejeans, I wrapped the quilt around a basket that also held two bottles of champagne which were wrapped in bluejean bags I had made. Not nearly as elegant as furoshiki, but the same principle. I would LOVE to have this book!
The most creative hostess gift I’ve received or given is a bottle of wine in a festive bag. This book will change all that for me :)
I logged onto my Amazon account and “liked” this book!
Ooh! I’d love to learn how to fold these things!
I even liked it on Amazon
My favorite hostess gift to receive is always flowers. When I am a guest I like to take something I have made or a great bottle of wine.
I did post a “like” on Amazon.com in addition to a comment about the Pixeladies and the fun I had practicing Furoshiki under their leadership long before they decided to do a book. My copy came in the mail today, so if I win another copy I will have a terrific gift to share with a friend.
I love this easy way to wrap and tote things….
I have given a handwoven towel wrapped around a bottle of wine.
I have admired Japanese packaging for many years; now to have a book with instructions on how to accomplish this art of wrapping, what a delight! Must have this book in my library.
Wow, this book sound very neat.
I haven’t given creative hostess gifts, mostly just wine or bread.
Wine bottle cover shaped likea Japanese kimono.
The best gift I received was a small basket with chocolate covered strawberries, lovely biscuits (cookies), two hand-decorated eggs with rhinestones on the shell, and a small jar of wonderful coffee, and two beautiful napkins. It was perfect for “the morning after” the party!
I gave my wife a trip to Hong Kong at Christmas. The trip was wrapped in a Boeing 747, and Hong Kong was wrapped in lights every where.
I liked Furoshiki Fabric Wraps on Amazon!
I went to Amazon and “liked” Furoshiki Fabric Wraps!
Most creative gift: I made a “fish bowl” for my husband for a gift, using fish fabric, and stuffed one of the little fish and put it on a pole. I always like to wrap gifts in fabric, so this book would be nice to have. Thanks for the give-away.
I liked the book on Amazon.
I hope to win this beautiful book
I liked the book on Amazon and ordered it. I especially like the fabric design on the blue bottles.
oooooh, pick me, pick me, jumping up and down!
Saw a bit of that when in Japan on my honeymoon years ago, and would love to learn how. I will “like” it and love it, I’m sure.
What a beautiful way to wrap!
I always have trouble coming up with something more creative than a bottle of wine. With this book I could at least make that bottle of wine look special and creative!! Thanks for the giveaway!
I “liked” the book on Amazon!
The most creative gift I have given would be little fabric houses to the survivors of tsunami in Japan.
i ‘liked’ the book.
The most creative gift was a gift wrapped the Furoshiki-way! A Japanese girl told me I needed a lunchbox, and wrapped it so beautiful! I still have the cloth and would love to know how to use it. And I can’t ask her anymore, as she left the company. So this would be my chance!
Have always loved this idea but hadn’t learned how to do it. This is the perfect way. My creative gift wrapping has been limited to tons of curly ribbon, but the creative art quilts inside help make up for it!
I have liked this book!
My favorite gift is a laundry basket or box full of the stuff necessary for new bride or new mom. Useful and easy!
Thanks for the chance to win. The most creative hostess gift I’ve received is a Japanese geisha doll from my friend.
The most creative gift I have been given is an original rubber stamp made from a funny picture of me. Of course it was well wrapped and Pixeladies approved! Deb and Kris are amazing authors and artists!
I also “liked” this book on Amazon, too! I hope I win and look forward to future books from this talented pair!
I have made some bags for wine bottles as hostess gifts. This method would certainly another creative way to “gift” someone.
My most creative gift is not quilt related and was just made as a joke: “Rubber tree” made from sticks and condoms….and yes the hostess lauhed about it for months;)
I have also cliked “like” on amazone;)
I love furoshiki fabric wrapping and have often wrapped gifts in this manner. Can’t wait to get the book as they have some creative “wrapping” that I have not seen!
This is such a lovely gift in itself. Kris and Deb are so creative. One of my favorite gift wraps I enlisted the help of my 5 year old granddaughter. I disassembled a grocery bag. I then let my granddaughter decorate the bag for wrapping paper. Each bag lovingly wrapped gifts she and I made together for family. Wrapped in love!
Love the idea of furoshiki. I have repurposed some of my Christmas fabric stash into Christmas wrapping cloths, so knowing how to wrap would be even better!
Best gift…. fresh artisanal baguette, unsalted butter, salt, small whisk broom all wrapped in hand-dyed cloth!! The items inside the cloth are traditional: bread that you may always be nourished, salt that your life may be interesting, and a broom to w hisk your troubles away!
Great book! I am not that creative in the gift giving, however I do love to wrap gifts in quilts, or at least personalized dish and hand towels. This book saves time on the quilting and emboridery! So pretty and so kind to the environment.
Great book! Can’t say that the gifts are so creative, however I am fond of wrapping in a quilt or personalized dish or hand towels. Now, I can save time on the quilting or embrodery.
This book looks wonderful. I liked it :) I always take hostess gifts. I normally take a small basket of items personalized for the hostess. A fews Dollar Spot items wrapped and placed in a nice container or basket from Target.
I’ve knitted up little bags and felted them to use as gift bags. Found out a couple of my aunties are using them as purses. Guess I know what to make them next year!
I’d love to win a copy! The best hostess gifts I’ve gotten are from a friend who makes me quilted coasters with seasonal or topical themes — sailboats for my husband, pumpkins in the fall… I’m always happy to see them on the table.
Looks like a great book .
The best gift I ever gave was a hand made little ‘treasure bag’ filled with Jelly Belly’s and a note reading, “May the happy moments in your life far exceed the number of jelly beans in this bag.”
The best gift I’ve given is a basket filled with items for a tea.
I love creative gift wrapping. This book looks like a winner.
A beautiful balance between art and practicality. I especially love the tear-a-way instructional cards in the back.
Not only did a ‘like’ the book on Amazon I also wrote my review. Love it!
Looks like a great book
The most creative hostess gift I have given was a bread basket filled with nut breads I baked with a cloth liner that I embroidered. I also added some jellies and jams that I had made.
I love the book!
Most creative… a book wrapped in tissue and ribbon where you pulled the ribbon and it all fell away magically.
What a great Idea. I would love to have the book and learn new ideas!!
I liked the book on amazon.
I’ve given away a beautiful quilt. A friend gave me a week in her condo in Florida (I’d never been before!). So I made a quilt and left it on the table inside which she would get the next week when she showed up. It was so fun to leave it as a hostess gift for all she did.
I liked the book over on Amazon.
A chicken
I liked this book on Amazon
I would love to have this book so I can give specially wrapped gifts! The most creative I’ve gotten is wrapping baby shower gifts with baby blankets.
Best hostess gift – quilted breakfast placemats made by Deb, one of the authors of this book. Then there was the fab scarf she made me in thanks for a visit. She used photos of a famous landmark in town. These are talented women!
I made a really cute table runner for a relative
My favorite hostess gifts are homemade… jam, vinegars, etc.
That’s really neat!
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