Christmas “Ribbon” Tutorial

I just wrote an article recently for Crafting a Green World about projects using felt scraps. I was inspired to dig out my felt scraps and make some of the projects and, in doing so, came up with one of my own. I’m going to try and make this Christmas as eco-friendly and handmade as possible: right down to the wrapping of the presents. Here is a project that utilizes some felt scraps to make a sort of “ribbon” to adorn your gifts.

You’ll need: felt scraps, sewing machine, and pieces of junk mail. The thinner the paper the better. Grocery store flyers, mini store booklets, and  single paper advertisements work well.

I’m using the exact same technique here as I showed you in my sewn paper doily garland tutorial. This time, though, I found that using junk mail was just as effective as the wax paper. It tears away just as easily as long as you use thinner paper and you’re recycling at the same time! Woohoo! I cut my felt scraps into various shapes no larger than an inch or two. I wanted it to look a little like confetti.

You want a nice long strand of “ribbon.” Keep sewing and using up those scraps!

You should have a nice long, continuous strand of felt “ribbon” to use.

Gently tear away the paper. If there are any bits of paper left over in the thread, they can easily be removed with tweezers if they’re too small to grab with your fingers.

Get to wrapping! I had a white box on hand, but this would also look great wrapped around a gift covered in brown kraft paper. You can just wrap it around and tape or wrap to the top and tie in a knot.

In what ways are you going to try to make this Christmas eco-friendly and green? Do you have any alternative packaging and wrapping ideas?