the thrifty crafter

…tied up with strings, these ARE one of my favorite things.

Found vintage shelving paper finds another use as a decorative band, while remnants from a white canvas curtain are used to make a fabric ribbon and a whimsical rosette.  Finish it off with contrasting jute twine and you have one fabulous gift to give.

Here’s what you need:

• Kraft packaging paper
• decorative paper (I used vintage shelving paper that I found at a thrift store)
• textural fabric scraps
• jute twine
• ruler and scissors
• tape
• hot glue gun and glue stick
• mason jar lid (or anything with a roughly 3-inch circular shape, like a glass or round cookie cutter)
• pencil
• needle and thread

Here’s what you do:

1. Wrap your package in kraft paper.
2. Measure and cut a band of decorative paper to wrap around your box.  I used a 7-inch wide band for a shirt box.  Tape to box.
3. Measure and cut a band of fabric to wrap around your box.  I used a 3-inch wide piece of heavy-weight home decorator cotton for the ribbon.  Snipping, then ripping the length of fabric creates the rough, feathery edge.  Use hot glue to secure ends of fabric band to decorative paper.
4. Cut a long piece of jute twine and wrap around the box a few times and tie in a knot at the center front of the package. Snip ends.
5. Use mason jar lid to trace 15 or so circles onto remaining cotton fabric. Cut out circles.
6. Fold circles first in half, then in half again.  Use needle and thread to string folded pieces together tightly at the bottom corner, alternating direction of open edge with each addition to add dimension.
7. Spread out and “fluff” rosette.  Use needle and thread to reinforce the final position by sewing through the bottom edge.  Use hot glue gun or safety pin to secure rosette to package.