Using fabric as wrapping paper is a wonderful way to use up kitchen scraps and scrap fabric. The recipient can reuse it and create something magical of their own. It’s a gift within itself!

What you’ll need

A stainless steel pot - you can find these at an op shop, it’s best not to use your kitchen pots

Scrap fabric - a natural fibre such as silk, wool, cotton or linen

Avocado skins and pits - this works with either or both

You can also use onions skins for a yellow or golden orange, the method is the same for both. If you’d like a deep yellow/orange gold from the onion skins then soak them over night.

Mixing bowl

Tongs

Instructions

1. Fill your pot with water and set of the heat, place your avocado skins and pits in and bring to a boil. You’ll start to see the water change colour, this is your dye. Boil for about 1/2 hour or until the dye is at a desirable colour, you can test the colour by adding a strip of fabric or using a white lid of a jar to scoop up a small amount of dye and check the colour.

2. Soak your fabric in some water, it’s best to do this a couple of hours before you add it to your dye pot.

3. Squeeze out the fabric and add your fabric to the dye pot.

4. Let it simmer for an hour then turn off the heat. Allow your fabric to soak overnight if you’d like deeper shades but if you’d like some lighter shades then take the fabric out with some tongs and rinse.

5. Rinse your fabric until the water runs clear then throw it in the wash with a soft detergent.

6. Allow to dry then wrap all your lovely pressies, you can use a furoshiki technique or just experiment with wrapping and twine or ribbon.

7. You can also use some tie dye techniques with your fabric to add some extra pizazz.

Natural dyeing is a fun way to use kitchen scraps! There’s plenty of information online if you’d like to learn more.

Naturally Dyed Fabric for Gift Wrapping

What you’ll need

Instructions