Fabric Furoshiki Painting Tutorial

The difference between a gift and a present is that you are present when you offer a present to someone.

In Japan, people wrap presents in a furoshiki. When the present is given, the giver takes their furoshiki back.

In the US, I often give the furoshiki along with the gift.

Furoshikis themselves can be a nice gift!

100% cotton muslin cloth, at least 1 yard

Butcher paper (butcher paper is waxed on one side)

Scissors (fabric scissors optional)

Sewing machine or sewing supplies

Acrylic paints

Paint brush (a stencil brush will work fine)

Ironing board and iron

Masking tape

I buy muslin cloth at my local fabric store, something thin in a natural color.

Wash it in order for it not to shrink afterward. Iron.

Cut a square of fabric and hem.

Put masking tape all around borders of the square.

Channel your inner Matisse and cut big shapes in the butcher paper.

When Matisse did his collages, he used large fabric scissors: you are of course welcome to do the same.

You can cut the same shape over and over, in different sizes and you can orient them differently on the fabric for dynamism. You can also overlap them.

Reminder: you must think in negative space as the paper shapes represent areas that will be reserved (not painted).

When you are satisfied with the overall design and placement of the shapes, iron them in place.

Pay particular attention to the edges and corners to minimize paint bleeds.

Check that all shapes adhere to the fabric.

Protect your surface because paint will bleed through the fabric. You can use butcher paper to cover your table: wax side up.

Wear an apron!

I do not dilute the paints at all.

Go at it and have fun.

Let the paint dry; I recommend at least a few hours, 24 is best.

Remove all the coverings and admire your work!

Put your homemade furoshiki between 2 sheets of fabric (they can be your next furoshiki material).

Set your iron to high, no steam and go over the painted shapes.

Do both sides to be sure.

Let it cool and fold into a square.

You are done and ready to wrap a present!