Skip to Content

15+ fabric wrapping paper alternatives

Sharing is caring!

Ready for some fabric wrapping paper alternatives? I have a list of fabric gift bags to sew, tutorials to make reusable wrapping paper from fabric, DIY gift tag patterns, and more! Skip spending money on traditional wrapping paper that will end up in a landfill and use up your fabric scraps at the same time with one of these eco-friendly wrapping paper DIYs.

alternative gift wrap fabric tutorials

Sewing reusable fabric gift wrap can make your gift feel like 2-in-1 if you’re sending it to a friend or family far away, and it can also create a fun tradition in your immediate family to see the same bag or pouch come out year after year. Almost all of these could be used for any holiday even if most of them are shown in Christmas gift bag sewing styles. This list includes quick, no sew tutorials, fabric scrapbuster ideas, and more intricate gift wrap sewing patterns that will be sure to delight. Don’t forget you can literally just lay fabric out like it is paper and hand stitch or washi tape it shut, just like paper, then unwrap it and use it again, too!

If you’re looking for other Christmas sewing inspiration, check these posts out:

Pin this round-up of wrapping paper alternatives with this collage image or repin with this link! Please click through to pin individual images from the original site, not here!

15+ wrapping paper alternatives

Fabric-based gift wrap tutorials

vhow to sew a drawstring bag in minutes

These are really fast to sew but have all enclosed seams, so they look nice and neat, see how to make a drawstring bag here on Swoodson Says.

waste free christmas wrapping tutorial

Another drawstring option that sews up quickly from old tshirts, here on Swoodson Says.

flat bottom bag tutorial

A third, larger drawstring bag option with a flat bottom so it sits nicely, here on Swoodson Says.

The idea of chalkboard fabric is so clever, check out this simple drawstring bag that you can write on, with a tutorial from Sew Can Do.

I think these would be great to organize all sorts of thing! This is a free tutorial designed as a lego bucket but I think it would make a perfect gift wrap solution too, with a tutorial from Crazy Little Projects.

 

There are a billion zipper pouch tutorials out there but this one is so cute, perfect for little trinket or jewelry gift “wrapping”, check it out at Patterns By Kanako!

 

I think these simple lunch bags would be so cute stamped with holiday designs or sewn with festive fabric, with a free tutorial at Purl Soho.

upcycled furoshiki

Try some diy upcycled furoshiki with my tutorial here on Swoodson Says! This is no sew, dirt cheap using old clothes, and super fun to make.

Use up your charm packs or chop up some scraps and stitch a patchwork drawstring bag with this tutorial from Polka Dot Chair.

santa sack file cricut

You don’t need a Cricut to decorate a pillow case and turn it into a “santa sack”, but it makes a quick and easy gift wrap alternative with a little embellishment. Get the tutorial here on my site.

upcycled scarf gift bag sewing tutorial

Dig into your closet for an old scarf and take five minutes to turn it into a gift bag upcycle, here on Swoodson Says.

pdf pattern christmas bagI can’t even wrap my head around the design involved with this “gift-n-store” but it is such a clever pattern, from Elizabeth Wyatt shop.

A simple, flat bottom zipper pouch makes for a quick gift wrapping that will be used again and again, with a tutorial from Polkadot Chair.

These are the cutest little gift card holders, with a free tutorial and pattern from Applegreen Cottage.

This would fit bulky board games and bigger toys well; see how to sew up this drawstring ‘ditty bag’ with a tutorial from Sew Can She.

(Not pictured) These look really quick to stitch up and fun to open, a fabric Christmas cracker tutorial from Days Filled With Joy.

Reusable fabric gift tag & ribbon tutorials

fabric scrap gift tag free pattern

Go one step further and make some DIY gift tags, upcycled from old jeans! Get the free file here on Swoodson Says.

This simple little felt bow could be remade in fabric scraps as well, with a simple tutorial from Applegreen Cottage.

Tie up your packages with festive, fabric scrape twine! This has been copied all over but the original tutorial is from My Poppet Makes.

The details on these handmade gift tags are so sweet, I’d love to use these over and over again! Free pattern from Nana and Company.

This turned out so pretty, it is a simple concept but looks great – see how to make fabric scrap tibbon from Simple Simon & Co.

15+ diy fabric basket, bin, & tray patterns

Instead of buying a wicker basket, make a fabric one to put your gift in, with ideas from this list of fabric baskets to sew.

Sharing is caring!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!