Furoshiki How To
Today’s feature is from DIY Life with DIY Definitions: Furoshiki – multi-use wrapping cloths. Normally the feature tip slots here on Tipnut are filled for a couple weeks in advance, but I had to bump this one in NOW because it is so unique and new to me, I’ve never heard of Furoshiki.
Have you heard of furoshiki? These traditional Japanese square cloths are getting a lot of attention lately, as a “green” alternative to wrapping paper and plastic shopping bags. Furoshiki means “bath spread” — in feudal Japan, they were used to bundle and protect people’s clothing at public bath houses, but over the years, their standard use has been to tie up any bundle you can imagine (they’ve even been used as baby carriers). The word is pronounced something like “f’-ROHSH-kee”.
There’s a download mentioned in the article full of diagrams showing How to use Furoshiki and I love the idea of printing this off to include in a furoshiki wrapped gift (idea mentioned by M.E. Williams – the DIY Life author).
Also check the blog post for some videos, my favorite is this one showing how to tie and fold them:
Excellent article and this gives a whole new flurry of ideas for gift wrapping and totes!
Not only do they make great gifts but also helpful to the environment because they can be reused. Very pretty too!
Cool…until the very end when you see the ladies with their purchases – in cardboard containers inside paper bags. OK, I see a small environmental problem here! Overpackaging!
Pam I saw that but it didn’t “click” with me how ironic that part was, good catch!
I really wanted to buy one of these bags while I was in Kyoto recently but I never got around to doing so! I’ll have to find a piece of fabric and try it out myself! Thanks!
What a great idea!I hadn’t come across the Furoshiki before today but will definitely (try to) make one myself!!
I have three that I use a lot- two I use to wrap bento for the guys when they go to work, and one that I use for everyday stuff. You don’t need special cloth or to buy stuff sold as furoshiki- any bandana or square cloth will work! I have several in different sizes (the largest is three feet square) and I use all the various sizes I have for all sorts of things- storing bundles of things I don’t want to forget, little handkerchief sizes to keep things separate in my basket on Market Day. (It’s nice- radishes and carrots in one, my wallet and cell phone in another, peas in another…)
They’re wonderful, and inexpensive. You can make them from fabric remnants you buy for a dollar at the craft store! Any pattern, any color, any material. If you’re going to make one of your own, make sure the material isn’t slippery and that it ties tightly without coming loose. I can’t imagine silks, satins, or other ‘shiny’ fabrics would hold tightly enough to keep a bundle.
You can use silks or “slippery” fabrics if you tie a square knot. This knot will not slip; the heavier the bundle, the tighter the knot.
Great to be reminded of these. i used silk scarf that my brother brought back from overseas in the forties and placed my Sumi painting supplies in the bag.(Japanese brush painting. such fun and such looks from others. mlk
I can’t believe I haven’t heard of these! What a GREAT idea and wonderful ways to avoid using plastic bags or cumbersome reusable bags. LOVE the video. Leave it to the Japanese to come up with something so fabulous! You guys ROCK!