Green Gift Wrap

An Easy Pillowcase Transformation

My sister Sue told me about her desire to

imitate Soule Mama over the holidays.

Soule Mama had made reusable gift bags from holiday fabrics

in an attempt to "go green" by reducing the amount

of paper waste.

After giving it some thought, I decided to surprise

Sue on her birthday and make her a couple

bags to get her started for next year.

It seemed like a no brainer to use pillowcases

since half the sewing would already be done for me.

First stop...Savers

where I found 2 pillowcases (99 cents) in complementary colors.

Next...to the sewing room

where I cut 4 inches from the length and top of each case.

If you are following me, that leaves only one side

to resew and the end to re-hem.

For the bow...

I cut the extra 4 inches of length in half lengthwise

folded it in half with right sides together...and inverted.

(I use the string technique to invert)

Iron flat and crisp, giving the ends an angled fold like that of a bow.

Sew the bow to center back of the now gift wrap bag.

Insert the gift box.

I used standard shirt boxes and sized accordingly.

Tie it closed with the attached bow...

and voila!

Here is the side and bottom view showing the boxed corners I gave them as well.

I hope you were able to follow this mini tutorial.

If you have any questions please leave them in the comments and I will get back to you.

I chose cases in birthday colors.

Later it occurred to me that using red pillowcases might have been the wiser chioce.

My mom always says that red works for holidays and birthdays.

Mom is always right!