Last minute gift idea

Dec 13, 2003 11 Replies

I was down to the wire on making Christmas presents and had just a few to complete. Not knowing what to give, I came across a potpourri bag made from fabric. Has anyone done this? You take 2 pieces of fabric, 8x14 inches and sew them right sides together on 3 sides, making a bag. Then you fold down about 9 inches to the outside and "paint" glue and water (3 to 1 solution) on the outside of the bag. Turn the bag right side out and finish "painting". Place a bottle with plastic wrap around it inside the bag, and place a rubber band around the bottle. Stand the bottle up, and fold down another inch or so of the bag; fold it loosely but no so loose the rubber band falls down. Let the bag dry. Remove the bottle and rubber band. Take some fancy cording and tie it around the bag, and place potpourri in the bag. The bag will stand up because you originally had the bottle in it and the glue stiffens the fabric.



I did this with a rust colored tapestry fabric and velvet cording. It really turned out nice.



Beth, this is a great idea. You could also use Stiffy, which I have an enormous bottle of. Thanks for the tip! I think I'll make this to hold my rose petals, as well as for gifts. .

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

I can send a picture, if you would like. I didn't want to go out and buy the stiffener if I had glue, but I'm sure Stiffy will work just fine. I found the jacquard print rayon tapestry fabrics the best; they look the most elegant, especially with the velvet ribbon.

Stiffy is great stuff, Beth, but it has limited applications. Which is probably why I completely forgot it was in my stash of goodies. But I'm going to make some decorator fabric bowls, and a couple of some very pretty metallic organza, then add some potpourri.

Thanks again for the tip!

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

Yes, please. Send it to sewstorm-at-aol.com

Thanks for offering!

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

ME too, Me too! With the directions, please? snipped-for-privacy@earthlink.net

I know some product names don't travel, but do you really have a product over there called Stiffy??? Mind you I use a rubber to rub out pencil marks....

Lizzy

And our antipodean pals use Durex to tape parcels up, I believe...

Potpourri bowls? Terrific idea! And the organza would be beautiful.

And you have a dish called Bangers and Mash! Yes, I've seen it called Stiffy. It comes in a bottle, I believe blue and white.

Re: Last minute gift idea snipped-for-privacy@thetaylorfamily.org.uk (Lizzy=A0Taylor)

Guilty as charged!

Lizzy

Who also enjoys a clean joke as much as the next person.

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