Sunday 20 December 2009

Gift Wrap Idea: Buttons

With all my business parcels packed and posted for the year it's time to turn my attention to my own Christmas gifts!

I'm using lots of yarn and pompoms (perfect for making use of the leftover yarn from the scarves I've been knitting) but I'm also trying out a few other ideas including one I'd like to share with you today... decorating your gifts with lovely buttons.


 

If you've got any crafty friends I think using craft supplies like buttons (or beads) and ribbon is a fab way to personalise their gifts. And because they'll be able to add the trimmings to their supplies stash and use them to make new things it's eco friendly too.

Start with a simple wrapped parcel (regular readers will know I'm a big fan of brown paper!) and tie ric rac, ribbon, yarn, lace or any other trims you fancy round it.

You can keep it simple with one striking trim like this ric rac...


... or use lots of co-ordinating trims together:


 

Then you need to add the buttons - this is a bit fiddly but well worth it. Thread an assortment of buttons onto a length of embroidery thread or yarn, and then weave the string around the ribbon so the button string becomes intertwined and the buttons are evenly spaced.

You don't need buttons for the underside of the parcel so I'd recommend tying one button string top to bottom around the parcel and a second string left to right (instead of using one long piece as you would with a normal bit of ribbon) leaving the ends of each string empty and tying the ends together on the underside of the parcel.

 

Another way to use buttons in your wrapping (and fewer of them!) is to make a button tag.

You can make a homemade tag easily with some cardstock, a holepunch and some embroidery thread or yarn as a string, or raid your stationery supplies if you've got some! Use a needle to pole the holes you'll need and then sew your buttons onto the tag using a double thickness of thread or some embroidery thread.


 

Use some sticky tape to secure the end of the thread and cover your sewing with a large address label or use craft glue to stick down a piece of paper or card.

 

Then write your tag and tie it to your parcel. Lovely.

 


PS if you'd like to add a vintage crafty feel to your gift wrapping without any of this messing around with buttons check out these lovely downloadable tags from doe-c-doe - button cards and vintage trims.

Please feel free to borrow one or two photos if you want to blog about this project, but remember to credit me and link back to the original source, and do not reproduce my entire post on your site. Thanks!

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11 comments:

Kimberly said...

Hmm, my friends would have to really appreciate the buttons and/or use them again for this to be worth it I think so I think I would select the recipients of this wrapping (and effort) very carefully, but they are beautiful! Very clever idea

S said...

I really like the button gift tag. I wish I had your patience with gift wrapping!

Elaine, Ellies Treasures said...

That is so beautiful. I'm really into buttons at the mo and the ones you've used are gorgeous. I like to use brown paper too - it reminds of my childhood somehow, not sure why, although I do remember loving brown paper bags with a surprise inside from the local fair!

Jess said...

What fun (and beautiful) ideas! Love the buttons!

alexkeller said...

i think the button tag is great! i'd probably glue another tag to the back and then be able to write/stamp/decorate that too!

Unknown said...

i LOVE this idea! it's so fun adding color and texture with buttons! thanks for sharing!!

Aarti Badamikar said...

very very pretty!!

London Lisbonite said...

Absolutely lovely, must try something like this. Was very proud of my wrapping efforts this year until I got to the boyfriend's house last night and was told that all (ALL) presents are boxed before being wrapped in several layer of tulle, net and ppaer and then swagged with enormous bows, ribbons and pine cones. Suddenly my hand-printed and glittered tags don't seem that impressive! Buttons it is :)

Heather Leavers said...

fabulous - and I'm lusting after your buttons!

Lesley said...

I love anything with buttons. But it would be hard for me to part with them. :)

nourished mama said...

love the idea of using buttons to liven up wrapping presents.beautiful.....think I need to start a button collection...