Use your bandana as gift wrapping, Furoshiki style

A lovely Japanese custom is to present a gift in a wrapping cloth or Furoshiki. Traditionally the Furoshiki is a piece of cloth with interesting designs and fabric texture. The Furoshiki can be recycled as a lunch bag, hair scarf, sun shade, or as wrapping for other gifts.

Consider wrapping your travel gifts in a multi-purpose bandana square. There's lots of ways to wrap a bandana around a gift, but the basic way includes a simple knot with a loose corner draped over the edge. This style can be used for oval and rectangular shapes.

Furoshiki-style wrapping instructions:
Spread the bandana fabric as a diamond (see image below) and place the contents to be wrapped in the center

1. Take the corner closest to you (1. tuck) over the object and tuck it underneath
2. Pull the opposite corner (2. top) over the top and leave it draped over the edge
3. Hold left corner (3.tie) in your left hand and gather the surplus fabric neatly with your right hand as you bring the corner over the object
4. Hold right corner (4. tie) in your right hand and gather the surplus fabric neatly with your left hand as you bring the corner over the object
5. Tie the two fabric ties firmly with a square knot - ease in excess fabric for a neat finish. The ties form a practical handle to carry your gift.
   

For creative ideas on Furoshiki gift wrapping read Chizuko Morita's book "Gift Wrapping with Textiles: Stylish Ideas from Japan", ISBN 4-7700-2736-2.

More information on furoshiki multi-use wrapping

How to wear a bandana.

How to wear a bandana

Pack a couple of bandanas for the journey. The bandana square folds into attractive unisex hair accessories - headbands, triangle hair scarves and skull caps. People with little or no hair can enjoy complete headcover and sun protection by wearing their bandana as a skull cap.

Fold your bandana into a headband: The first step is to fold your bandana into a triangle. This diagonal fold will give a maximum length of around 31.5 inches. Fold toward the first fold 2 to 3 more times until the fabric is about 2.75 inches wide. Wrap it around your forehead and tie a square knot to secure it. Photo: John, Athens, Georgia, USA.

Bandana headband to accent your hair-do: Fold your bandana into a headband and tie it around your pony-tail or bunny-tail 'do'. Photo: Gemma, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Bandana headband tied at the top: Fold your bandana into a headband then tie it at the top of your head so the wider part is lifting your hair off your neck and keeping you cool. Photo: Stephanie, Athens, Georgia, USA.

Accessorize your travel wardrobe with solid color bandanas: The bandana square folds into an inexpensive headband that tames your hair and provides custom fit. Fold the bandana on the diagonal for maximum length. Fold two corners several times into the center of the bandana until the fabric is about 2 to 2.5 inches wide. Use a square knot to secure it. Photo: Julie, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Bandana triangle scarf: Wear a bandana as a unisex hair scarf to protect your hair when traveling. Fold your bandana square into a triangle and tie the long ends at the back of your neck. Christian ties back his long beautiful black Creole hair with a comfortable soft cotton bandana folded into a triangle scarf. Photo: Christian, Austin, Texas, USA.

Bandana skull cap. Fold one corner of the bandana under until its tip is about 5 inches away from the opposite corner. Place this 5-sided shape on your head with the folded edge just above your brow. Tie the horizontal ends around your head making sure the tip of the triangle and any extra fabric is tucked in so the bandana hugs your head like a skull cap. For smaller heads fold the front corner under further until the bandana is folded in half and shaped like a triangle. Photo: Charlie, Auckland, New Zealand.

When tying your bandana the best knot is a square knot... a square knot is secure but is easy to undo. Put left end over right end then right end over left, or you can start with right over left then left over right. It's just like tying your shoe laces only you have to remember to do each tie in reverse.

Furoshiki-style gift wrapping with bandanas.