Wrapping with furoshiki, or Japanese cloth wrapping, is an eco-friendly gift wrapping technique and a fun activity for kids to learn! Not just for holiday kids activities, but great for diversity and culture studies, too! Try this cloth present wrap for any occasion or even as a cloth carrying bag for daily use (like for kids to carry bento boxes or books!).
All About Wrapping With Furoshiki
If you’re not familiar with this process, you may be wondering what is furoshiki wrapping?
What is the Japanese wrapping cloth called?
The art of Japanese fabric wrapping is called fuoshiki. It is traditionally a square-shaped layer of cloth (cotton or silk) that is folded and tied around a gift. The cloth is used instead of paper wrapping paper or gift bags for holidays or special occasions. Furoshiki wrapped gifts are perfect for zero waste wrapping and the perfect example of how to reuse gift wrapping.
SEE THE FULL PRINTABLE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO WRAP FUROSHIKI BELOW. KEEP SCROLLING for the furoshiki wrapping tutorial!
A furokshiki fabric wrapping paper is distinct because it can be folded into almost any shape to contain any box size or shape (and even bottles!).
Traditional furoshiki clothes that are used for presents are often adorned with symbols of good fortune and helps keep the gift “pure.” Wrapping gifts in furoshiki are signs of respect and to wish others good luck.
Another benefit of furoshiki wrapping is that it often creates a handle for carrying!
They aren’t just used for furoshiki Christmas wrapping or gift giving. In Japan, furoshiki are used to transport and carry items and also many make a furoshiki bento wrap (and not just for sustainable gift wrapping!).
FUN FACT: Furo means “bath” and shiki means “something spread on the floor.” It came from the 14th century when people took communal baths. They would carry their change of clothes for the bath in a wrapped cloth. Then, they would use the cloth as a bath mat to stand on while they got dressed. Later, the use of the furoshiki became popular for carrying items of all kinds and present giving.
Watch this interesting video about furoshiki with your kids!
Do you ask for furoshiki back?
Traditionally, furoshiki wraps are given back to the gift giver. However, today some people prefer that the gift recipient keep the gift wrap and use it for other gifts. If you’re unsure, just ask the person giving you the furoshiki wrapped present!
Where To Buy Furoshiki Wrapping Cloth
You can buy beautiful furoshiki fabric like this (silk is often used for high-end gifts) or even use plain white dish towels like this and embellish them with dried fruit, evergreen stems, rosemary, winter berries (if using it for Christmas presents), wood Christmas tree ornaments and more!
Any piece of fabric that you can use to fold around a gift can be used for furoshiki!
I like using the dishcloth for fabric wrap for adults because then the person has a dishtowel they can use for dishes or to rewrap for someone else!
For kids, try to find fun printed furoshiki Japanese wrapping cloth like this (they have a lot of fun fabric prints for kids furoshiki).
ALSO TRY THIS FOR YOUR FABRIC WRAPPING IDEAS:
Drying oranges for decorations for your furoshiki gift wrapping cloth gift!
If you need labels for your wrapped presents, try writing names on these simple wood ornaments and tying them onto the gift package for more DIY eco-friendly gift wrapping fun for kids!
How big of a furoshiki do I need?
A good rule of thumb for wrapping with furoshiki is to use a square fabric piece around three times the size of your gift. This will allow you to fold and tie appropriately around the gift and still create a bow handle on top.
Your furoshiki wrapping cloth size can be any size, but make sure it’s a square piece of cloth.
OK!
Let’s get to how to use furoshiki cloth gift wrapping and reusable childrens fabric gift wrap.
This is a really fun holiday project kids activity, especially if you’re studying holidays around the world.
How To Wrap Furoshiki Step-by-Step
This sustainable gift wrapping is easy once you get the hang of it and a great environmentally friendly idea for kids to learn all about for holidays or any time during the year!
(And, it’s a super easy and a fun craft for kids – no sew kids craft!)
There are many furoshiki wrapping techniques, but I’ve shown you the most traditional one here for a square or long box.
Here are the furoshiki wrapping instructions…
Steps For Wrapping With Furoshiki (Fabric Wrap Presents)
This furoshiki wrapping how to guide teaches one of the furoshiki gift wrapping techniques. Check the post for books about other furoshiki wrapping method ideas!
Materials
- Gift
- Square furoshiki wrapping cloth 3 times the size of the gift box
- Embellishments like evergreen sprigs, flowers, etc. (optional)
Instructions
- Start with a furoshiki square piece of cloth or fabric 3 times the size of your gift. Lay your fabric in a diamond shape on a flat surface in front of you. Place gift in the middle.
- Fold the bottom corner up over the gift. Do the same with the top corner so that it is snug over your gift. (If there is a corner overhang, tuck it under the gift.)
- With the two long ends (left and right) crease (fold) the fabric against the box (like if you’re using paper wrapping). Repeat with the other end. Pull both ends over the gift (It may help to twist the ends once) and tie a single knot on top of the gift.
- If you’re using embellishments or decorations (like twigs, flower stems, etc.), you can either place them on top of the knot and then tie another knot on top or go ahead and double knot and stick your embellishments in after (or leave it without embellishments).
- Fluff and flatten each end of the knot tie to make it look nice.
To go along with learning how to furoshiki wrap for kids (reusable gift wrap), also add in learning about the Japanese culture!
Children’s Books About Japanese Culture
Learn how to do furoshiki wrapping and then read some of these books!
(We’ve also included some furoshiki Japanese wrapping techniques books / furoshiki wrapping book options if you want to learn more ways to do furoshiki wrapping Christmas gifts or use furoshiki for everyday life!)
- All About Japan: Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids
- Japan: Travel for kids: The fun way to discover Japan
- Let’s Learn Japanese: First Words for Everyone
- Wrapping with Fabric: Your Complete Guide to Furoshiki – The Japanese Art of Wrapping
- Furoshiki: The Japanese art of wrapping with fabric
We hope you have fun learning how to wrap furoshiki cloth with your kids!
Tag us with your wrapping with furoshiki projects! We’d love to see your Japanese furoshiki wrapping technique!
LOOKING FOR FUN COOKING PRINTABLES FOR KIDS?
