Wrapagami: The Art of Fabric Gift Wraps [Paperback]

Jennifer Playford (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 4, 2009

Discover how to use a simple square of fabric to beautifully wrap gifts of any shape or size—with Wrapagami. In this gorgeously photographed book, award-winning designer Jennifer Playford, inspired by the traditional Japanese fabric wraps known as furoshiki, shows exactly how to use fabric to create modern, eco-friendly (they’re reusable) gift wraps.
It’s so easy—all you need is a square piece of fabric— and with a few simple twists and ties, you can creatively wrap a wide variety of shapes from simple rectangles (such as books) to more challenging shapes (bottles) to things you might previously have thought un-wrappable (melons).
Clear written instructions, easy-to-follow diagrams, and beautiful photos of the finished wraps make it easy to wrap expertly the first time. Jennifer shows the basic techniques for every shape, and presents twenty-five stunning wraps, complete with decorative embellishments for every occasion, from weddings to birthdays. Also included are innovative ideas galore for using wrapagami every day (carry your lunch, and then use the wrap as a picnic blanket) and reusing the wraps (to wrap again, or repurpose in a multitude of ways).

Let Wrapagami inspire you to start a new tradition!

 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

JENNIFER PLAYFORD is an illustrator and graphic designer whose vibrant and whimsical illustrations adorn her own line of stationery and fabric gift wrap. Jenn is the creator of the award-winning Furochic™ wraps. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Original edition (August 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312566670
• ISBN-13: 978-0312566678
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #557,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear directions, Beautiful diagrams, Helpful hints November 12, 2010

By Math Guru

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Okay, I'll be honest, I ordered two books on furoshiki to compare them before I decided which one I wanted to order for myself, my Mom, my sister and my sister-in-law for Christmas. We're consistently trying be more 'green' and, before I learned about furoshiki, we were sewing cloth bags for presents, wrapping in craft paper that the kids of the family could color on after, wrapping in the funny papers, wrapping in towels or tablecloths or... you get the point.

I compared this book to "Gift Wrapping with Textiles: Stylish Ideas from Japan" by Shuichi Yamagata. I picked these two books to compare based on the current reviews. In comparison:

-Both books have a lot of ideas for wrapping different packages. Aside from wrapping standard packages, Gift Wrapping With Textiles has more ideas on different types of knots to tie, as well as wrapping cloth around packages to look like animals. ...this wasn't for me. Wrapagami seemed to have more sophisticated wrapping ideas. I could care less about tying a faux rose or to make a wrap look like a goose or puppy (ideas presented in Gift Wrapping With Textiles). Not my style. Wrapagami was definitely a better choice for me.

-Someone mentioned that the images in the Gift Wrapping With Textiles book are small and printed in black and white. Yes, they are...my 24-year old eyes were squinting and unhappy. Wrapagami, on the other hand, had larger images printed in color. I also think the directions given in Wrapagami are clearer -- even though they are much more succinct.

-Wrapagami also gave ideas of what to wrap what way, and what type of fabric to use based on the object and the occasion.... I consider myself to be a fairly creative person but since I'm just learning furoshiki I like the fact that these ideas are presented -- it might help make learning the craft easier and more enjoyable, as I will be making fewer "beginner blunders." Gift Wrapping With Textiles did not have those ideas -- or if it did, it wasn't obvious where they were!

Thus, my final conclusion: I think Wrapagami is far superior. Wrapagami has clearer, succinct directions, more modern, sophisticated wrapping designs (which better suits my tastes), and helpful hints that aren't included in the other book. I will be purchasing more to share with family.

Happy shopping! Happy furoshiki! Read more ›

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome idea, beautifully presented December 9, 2009

By coachwriter

Format:Paperback

Whether you're new to wrapping with fabric or have been doing it for awhile, I'm betting you'll find something intriguing in Wrapagami (don't you love the name?).

So simple a four-year-old can do it, wrapping with fabric has been done for hundreds of years in Japan, Korea and other places as well. But only recently, has its fabulous techniques made their way into mainstream America.

"Wrapagami" traces the history of fabric wrapping in Japan which I found fascinating, especially the fact that while it was used extensively for prior to WWII, afterwards, just like in the U.S., plastic took over and furoshiki (as Japanese wrapping was called), all but disappeared.

I'm so excited that this beautiful art (which honestly is MUCH easier than origami), has been revived.

But it's not the history you'll find most intriguing, it's the techniques Jenn lays out that will get you off the couch and wrapping!

Love the illustrations in this book that make the techniques foolproof and also really like the original designs of Jenn's cloths shown throughout.

If you're looking for the perfect gift, this book, wrapped in a cloth of course, can't be beat.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy and Lovely December 29, 2009

By BestBets

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My family has been sewing gift bags to replace wrapping paper for years. Although it is a great way to go, I am thrilled to have this book with non-sewing options for wrapping. It is easy to create beautiful looking gifts, and once you have the hang of it, you can wrap anything!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A practical must-have skill, even if you don't use it for gift wrap! May 31, 2011

By Robyn Broyles

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I love gift wrap, and when I saw this book I was fascinated. What I have found is that furoshiki is not only a distinctive and charming way to wrap gifts, but also an enormously practical skill. Wrapagami will how you how to wrap boxes, but it also works for wrapping items like envelopes for storage in my purse. It shows you how to wrap wine bottles, but it also works for a handy, easy-to-carry water bottle wrap for when you're on the go. It shows you how to make an "over-the-shoulder" wrap, but when I had to take my baby to the hospital in a hurry, it was a fast way to make a quick bag for my change of clothes--and I used the same wrap with a bandana to carry my toiletries. (Baby's fine now, by the way.) These "bags," made of a sturdy scarf and a bandana respectively, were so much easier to carry, manage, and later store than a suitcase would have been--and I didn't have to make a trip to the attic, which is important in an urgent situation.

When giving a gift wrapped with furoshiki, there may be a "learning curve" for the recipient. You may have to explain that they just have to untie the knot to unwrap the gift. Also keep in mind that a furoshiki-wrapped gift will cost a little more because the fabric wraps usually cost more than even the fanciest wrapping paper. I have had some luck with less expensive options like vintage scarves from thrift stores and, for small items, inexpensive bandanas from Hobby Lobby. For expensive gifts such as wedding gifts, go for the elegant look; don't hesitate to buy a full-price furoshiki cloth such as Playford's "furochic" series.

What sets this book apart are Playford's "creative wraps," or non-traditional wrap designs.... I especially like the "fish-shape wrap" for a miniature grab bag (again, also very practical) and the "top-knot wrap" really IS very easy for kids to undo. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wrapagami May 23, 2010

By Anita M. Zolondz

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I found this book at my public library and took it that evening to my quilting class. Everyone loved it so I bought eight for gifts for my daughters and other friends. It was a great idea for more creative and useful wrapping. My daughters as well as many other people are trying to find more creative and enviornmental ways to wrap gifts. These new ideas will give me a chance to wrap a gift to a fellow "fabric collector". These methods also give helpful ideas to wrap "hard to wrap" gifts.