Easy Fabric Gift Wrap

Cover an inexpensive cardboard mailing tube in trendy, graphic fabric for an eye-catching holiday gift wrap idea. Best of all, the fabric-covered container can be used for year-round storage.

Attach Ribbon to Fabric Wrapped Gift

Use ribbon in a coordinating color to create a bow then attach it to the mailing tube's lid with glue.

From: H. Camille Smith

Photo by: H. Camille Smith

H. Camille Smith

By: H. Camille Smith

Related To:

Materials Needed:

cardboard mailing tube
fabric
fusible interfacing
sharp scissors

urethane or epoxy-based adhesive
cotton swab or small disposable brush
ribbon

Cut Fabric

Wrap fabric around mailing tube to determine how much you'll need; cut an amount that's slightly longer than necessary (Image 1).

Cut Fabric for Gift Wrap with Scissors

Wrap fabric around mailing tube to determine how much you'll need; cut an amount that's slightly longer than necessary.

Photo by: H. Camille Smith

H. Camille Smith

Iron on Interfacing and Trim Edges

Cut a piece of fusible interfacing that's approximately the same size as your fabric. Layer the two, with the interfacing glue-side-down (has a shiny appearance) on the wrong side of the fabric. Press with a hot, dry iron to activate the glue, fusing the interfacing to the fabric (Image 1). Tip: The interfacing adds thickness and strength to the fabric, making it much easier to attach to the cardboard without having to worry about wrinkles or the fabric fraying. Use sharp scissors to cut off any excess selvage or interfacing (Image 2).

H. Camille Smith

Use sharp scissors to cut off any excess selvage or interfacing.

H. Camille Smith

Iron Fusible Interfacing onto Back of Fabric

Cut a piece of fusible interfacing that's approximately the same size as your fabric. Layer the two, with the interfacing glue-side-down (has a shiny appearance) on the wrong side of the fabric. Press with a hot, dry iron to activate the glue, fusing the interfacing to the fabric (Image 1). Tip: The interfacing adds thickness and strength to the fabric, making it much easier to attach to the cardboard without having to worry about wrinkles or the fabric fraying.

Photo By: H. Camille Smith

Cut Excess Fabric and Fusible Interfacing

Use sharp scissors to cut off any excess selvage or interfacing.

Photo By: H. Camille Smith

Glue Fabric to Tube

Wrap fabric around mailing tube and, if necessary, cut off any excess fabric at the tube's top and bottom. Working in small sections, apply adhesive to tube with a cotton swab or disposable brush then press fabric to tube and hold in place for a minute or so to allow glue to dry before attaching the next area (Image 1). Continue wrapping and gluing fabric around tube until you reach the end. The interfacing prevents the cut fabric from fraying so there's no need to turn fabric under to create a clean edge — just overlap where the fabric meets and glue down the end (Image 2). Use ribbon in a coordinating color to create a bow then attach it to the mailing tube's lid with glue (Image 3). Fill the tube with one large or several small gifts (Image 4).

H. Camille Smith

Continue wrapping and gluing fabric around tube until you reach the end. The interfacing prevents the cut fabric from fraying so there's no need to turn fabric under to create a clean edge — just overlap where the fabric meets and glue down the end.

H. Camille Smith

Use ribbon in a coordinating color to create a bow then attach it to the mailing tube's lid with glue.

H. Camille Smith

Fill the fabric covered cardboard tube with one large or several small gifts.

H. Camille Smith

Glue Fabric to a Cardboard Shipping Tube

Photo By: H. Camille Smith

Glue Down Fabric Panel to Cardboard Tube

Continue wrapping and gluing fabric around tube until you reach the end. The interfacing prevents the cut fabric from fraying so there's no need to turn fabric under to create a clean edge — just overlap where the fabric meets and glue down the end.

Photo By: H. Camille Smith