Step-by-step guide to wrapping with a furoshiki or Everyday Dinner Napkin
Cloth wrapping has been used for over 1200 years in Japan and the word furoshiki came about during the Edo period (1603-1868) when cloths were often used in bath houses to wrap clothes and also used as a bath mat. The word furoshiki means 'bath spread'. Over time, they were great for a multitude of uses. Today, furoshikis are often used to wrap gifts.
Our Everyday Dinner Napkins can also be used to wrap small gifts. It's an eco way to wrap small gifts and presents using fabric. This wrapping is paperless and can be reused by the receiver of the gift. And hello, they get an Everyday Napkin too!
There are many easy ways to wrap all size objects with a forushiki. We'll be showing you how to fold "otsukai tsutsumi" (お使い包み), the basic carry wrap using our Blue Yarn-Dyed, Everyday Dinner Napkin. Traditionally, both the color and the printed design on the furoshiki is meaningful—choose a piece of fabric or Everyday Napkin that fits the occasion!
STEP 1
Place the gift in the center of furoshiki. You'll want to make sure that the object you are wrapping is one third or less of your furoshikis diagonal length. A box is best for this style of wrapping.
STEP 2
Pull one corner over the object snuggly with the tail coming around the opposite side of the box. Take the opposite corner and overlap it in the opposite direction.
STEP 3
With two opposite corners left, fold the sides of the fabric inward and up towards the top of the box. This takes some practice as you want these two sides as flat as possible. Because the material may bunch, fold the fabric inwards just enough to match the width of the object. Repeat on the opposite side.
STEP 4
Once both sides are folded up, turn the box so that you can easily pinch a tail in each hand.
STEP 5
Tie the two tails into a single knot keeping the sides taught and smooth along the box. Pull your knot tightly in a diagonal direction. You may want to clean up any unwanted bumps or folds. You can also gently pull on the second corner you folded over the box in step 2 that is now under your knot.
Small wrapped gifts of gratitude make great party favors. Tuck a note or card under the knot to secure it in place.
TIP
Thin, stiffer fabrics with a little structure work better with this wrapping style than loose or stretchy ones.
Photo Elizabeth LaDuca for Nikko's Baby Shower / Styled by Kathryn Yee
AS SEEN ON STYLE MY PRETTY LIVING
We wrapped boxes of homemade gluten-free granola for our guests at our baby shower featured on Style Me Pretty Living.