The countdown to Christmas is officially ON! And while I love the holidays, I know how wasteful they can be. So, when I found this selection of vintage sewing patterns at Goodwill, I had a thought. Could I use them as sustainable gift wrapping?
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I’ve done project posts on “thrifty gifts” before…but what about thrifty gift wrap? In other words- Thrift Wrap.
As I played around with the vintage sewing patterns, I ended up with THREE ideas for sustainable gift wrapping using them.
AND I realized that I had another eco-friendly gift wrap idea lurking around, as well. With a reusable shopping bag!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
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Ideas for Sustainable Gift Wrapping
My first upcycling idea for the vintage sewing patterns was to make some eco friendly Christmas crackers.
First, I gathered some cardboard tubes (from paper towel rolls, etc.) and a few sheets of pattern paper.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I also nabbed some red and white baker’s twine, which would add just a touch of festive color to my eco friendly Christmas crackers.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
First, I cut out a rectangle of pattern paper, rolled my cardboard tube in it, and twisted ends of the tissue that went past the end of the tube.
Kind of like the wrapper from a piece of hard candy.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Finally, I used the red and white baker’s twine to tie off the ends before trimming off excess sewing pattern paper.
Next, I decided to pair up a plain brown gift bag with the sewing pattern paper. To do this, I gathered a rubber stamp (a Christmas tree, in my case- but anything Christmas-y would do) and white ink.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
In retrospect, I should have selected a different color of stamping pad – brown, dark green, or black.
Then, I simply stamped trees across the kraft paper gift bag. The possibilities for decorating these are endless!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
For the last version of my sustainable gift wrapping, I used the sewing pattern paper as actual gift wrap around boxes.
Ready to see the final versions of each one?
Sustainable Gift Wrapping with Vintage Sewing Patterns
First up, the eco friendly Christmas crackers!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Of course, they won’t “pop” when you open them (like a real Christmas cracker). But this idea for Christmas gift wrap with sewing pattern paper is perfect for small trinket gifts or stocking stuffers!
Next up, one of my eco friendly gift bags. After the ink dried on the bag, I used the sewing pattern paper and plain white tissue to stuff it with.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A reusable ribbon or fabric bow added a nice (and much-needed) pop of color to the gift bag.
Last but not least, my final idea for sustainable gift wrapping with the vintage sewing patterns: as eco friendly wrapping paper!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
My boxes were already brown/beige, which worked well under the sewing pattern tissue. Other colors may require a double layer of pattern paper, but you’ll get plenty of it in a single packet- so no worries there!
Each one was different – but wonderful – and simply perfect to place under our Christmas tree.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Let’s not forget my other idea for eco friendly gift bags using a reusable grocery bag!
It is truly a gift within a gift…cheaper than the paper gift bags, and reusable all year long.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Especially if your supermarket offers holiday-themed market bags at Christmas time.
If you enjoyed these upcycling ideas for Christmas gift wrap, then you may also be interested in some upcycled and DIY gift ideas, as well!
Plus, don’t forget that my book, “Crafting with Flannel”, has an entire Christmas chapter…including a few sustainable wrapping ideas, as well!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
WOW!! You are one clever girl. The packaging is beautiful-and those crackers are so cute. My mom used to sew all mine and my sisters clothes. She was so talented. Seeing those patterns brings back fond childhood memories!! Have a Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Melissa- Merry Christmas to you as well!
What a wonderfully ( is that a word? Is now ….? )
cute idea!! Love it
It is now! 😉 Thank you so much!
I like everyone of these ideas. I love that paper. It is so crinkly!
Thank you so much!!
I have some sewing patterns that I was just about to donate to Goodwill- but after seeing this I’m totally going to use them to wrap! This is such a clever and cute idea!!!!
Thank you so much!! It’s amazing how much you can wrap from a single pattern envelope!
sarah as usual that wonderful noggin comes up with a stupendous idea so rustic and dang cute xx merry Christmas
Thank you!! It seems so less wasteful than fancy wrapping paper…and it doesn’t look half bad. 🙂
Love them all, especially, the vintage patterns as wrap! Awesome idea!
Thank you, Theresa! They don’t look half-bad, eh? 🙂
I have a friend that’s a sewer and I’m gonna use the tissue paper bag filler idea for her gift!
Woohoo!!!
Good Evening Sarah! I am so delighted that I signed up to follow your blog by email! Every post that I have read just in these few days have been so inspiring, filled with such fabulous unique ideas! This special wrapping paper usage is absolutely marvelous! I have some old patterns that no longer fit (I lost over 150 pounds) and have tried selling them in garage sales with little luck. Although, I am pretty sure, I will not locate it in time for this year…it will be set aside for occasions throughout the year and especially for Christmas. My favorite are the stocking stuffer paper rolls and the twine on the ends, just adorable! Thank you so much for sharing this brilliant idea! Have a fantastic creative day!
Thank you so very much, Brenda- I sincerely appreciate that! Subscribing is the best way to see everything AND support me in this crazy blogging world. I have two other sewing pattern projects on my blog if you search (or I can send you the links)…because it sounds like you might have a few to play with!! 🙂 (And CONGRATS on that weight loss- you go, girl!)
Sarah, Thank you for the compliment! It honestly took me 10 years to do it and I still have to work hard at keeping it off, but it is fantastic. I would love for you to send me the links; I am a quilter at heart, but love to sew and experiment with various projects using fabrics and other crafts also. I am discovering the thrilling adventure of making Wreaths this year and am having a blast. Hopefully, by the end of the year, I will have my blog up and going full force once again. Then I will give you my link and you can stop by and see the types of things I do and we can share ideas and so forth. I am a talker…just tell me to stop it…I listen without being offended. So Have a great day creating and look forward to a post later on! Brenda
What a lovely idea, I think your wrapped presents look wonderful.
Thanks so much, Claire!
Love this idea! I’m always looking for eco-friendly alternatives and never thought of using old sewing patterns before – thanks for the inspiration.
I love this post. When i had a shop, I ordered all brown kraft paper boxes and bags, and tied them with colored saran strings—according to the season. Reminiscent of ‘brown paper packages tied up with string…these are a few of my favorite things! Love this, Sandi Merry Christmas!
What a fabulous idea. I see old patterns at all the thrift stores and in my closet. Why buy tissue paper when we can use these?
Right?? Thank you so much!
There’s definitely enough old/unused/unwanted patterns to go around the world 5,000 times! I’m definitely picking some up the next time I’m out. Tissue paper ALL.THE.WAY. Such a great idea Sarah! Thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday!
Yessss!!! Thank you so much!
Sarah – these ideas are fabulous!! You ARE the recycle queen! thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party!
Thank you so much, Helen! And thank you for hosting!
What a stunning idea Sarah. I have loads of old sewing patterns with pieces missing so this is just perfect, pinning and sharing.
Thank you so very much, Michelle!
These are awesome. I love this idea and so happy you shared at Dishing it and Digging it link party.
Thanks, Vanessa!
Sooooooo cute!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Never know what you will find at Goodwill. Treasures! 🙂 Nice idea for unique wrapping. Thanks for sharing on Family Joy Blog Link-up. Please come back and join us again!
Thanks, Char!
I knew there was a reason for collecting all these old patterns. Thank you for sharing your gift wrapping ideas at Vintage Charm.
Such a cute idea- these are great! Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!
Thank you, Courtney!
Hey…I have several boxes of old (1950-60) patterns, some are still usable. Is there a market for theses?
Hi, Mary Ann- some of the much older ones are fairly valuable…and some people collect the envelopes of 1950s/1960s patterns for the retro artwork. But I find them at thrift stores for $0.25-$0.50 each. Thank you!
Such a clever idea! I love how the old patterns look wrapped around the gifts! Thanks so much for sharing this at my Creative Ways Link Party! Have a Happy New Year!
Thank you so very much- Happy New Year!
I love this!! Why have I never thought of this? I just bought tissue paper in Christmas clearance because I’m out. When I go through my patterns this year I’ll have a second use for them! I will never put my old patterns in the giveaway pile again – sorry! 🙂
Hahaha!! Yeah, they are definitely worth hanging on to to reuse that tissue paper!! 🙂
Those look lovely! Is it me or the sound and smell of that kind of paper add up to the cozy feel too?
What a great idea for old patterns! Of which I found so many of while rearranging my sewing room the past few weeks. I am excited to start wrapping for Christmas!
Great ideas!!
Tania
Thank you so much, Tania!