DIY Fabric Packaging + A Product review

I wanted to write about this for a long time but couldn’t find the time for it. Blame it on my whole new entourage. The sweaty and meting pot afternoons of y hometown, where the bustling streets would take a route inwards. Most of them resting or catching up on the afternoon shows lined up on the national television. One such show was “The best out of waste“, anchored by a semi popular actress of that era. The format of the show is justified by the title, where she would create beautiful things from everyday paraphernalia which would otherwise be wasted. My mother’s sole source of entertainment was television shows. But miscreants like us ensured we totally ruined the experience. Sometimes lounging on her back while she intently took notes otherwise constantly pestering her that we were hungry or could she let us out to play in the sun. As I said, we drove her nuts. 🙂

But she was passionate about restoration and conscious about wastage. I still remember the orange peels carefully set outside for drying , later powdered and used as a face mask for oil balance and cleansing. The hibiscus flowers dried and boiled with coconut oil to be used as a hair conditioner. Her old Sarees woven into rugs and the food packaging glass jars washed and dried to be used for storage gain. She would get the leftover fabric from the tailor saved from stitching our frocks and stuff them into woollen clothes to make stuff toys.

Its been 15 years she has gone and I haven’t stopped missing her everyday. Over the time I have tried to incorporate a little of her into my everyday life but still I can’t fill the lacuna she left. I have a caring family and a supportive career but I miss that one word mum so much. My father who has time and again been my support on very occasion, his efforts remain unmatched. He has been a mother and a father to me on uncountable occasions. This post was meant for father’s day but I just couldn’t prioritize my work and blogging. But here I am with the seed sown by my mother, I tried my hands at using fabric cut outs for gift wrapping.

Time and again we see people talking about recycling and restoration. I found it a very constructive way of presenting gifts to your loved ones. The gift wrapping papers are expensive and rip off with a single tear. We have come to become a generation who doesn’t have the time to stop look and preserve. We need the best with little efforts. I will confess right after college I did some massive savings in terms of paper and bric a brac. Then I tasted money and its power to buy and overthrow anything. Just like seasons it comes and it goes carrying with it the blooms of the season and wilting away to its glory.

I bought these fabric squares from Wilko and used them to gift wrap them instead of paper. They look super attractive and the colour scheme is also way too better than conventional paper. I a sure if mum wanted to do this , she would get the fabric squares leftover at the tailors shop which again is a brilliant idea.

HOW TO DIY FABRIC PACKAGING

Twine

Fabric squares, small and large

Tape

Dried Flowers or Baby Breaths

In the picture you see a range of small to medium-sized gifts which you can buy for dad’s on Father’s day. Nevertheless I was late this year, but there will be another year and another day to celebrate.

Just as you gift wrapped your gifts ,you need to wrap the cloth around the gift article. If it is symmetrical like a book or box its easier to wrap it around and fasten it with a twine.

But for asymmetrical objects , just a mere toffee wrapping technique is best suited and fastened at one end with a twine.

I would generally tug in the flowers or other motifs into the twine or for better secure fasten I use a transparent tape to stick it to the gift fabric. Wallah its ready in a minute.

It doesn’t need any careful folding or flattening. Once unwrapped it can be saved again for the next use or even be used as a fabric square or kerchief. There are many uses of this tiny piece of cloth but definitely it will not find its way to the bin.

Product Review of the newly Packaged Chin’s Kitchen Nankhatai/Shortbread

Whats Walkers is to Scotland, I foresee the same for the shortbreads which I have in my hand right now. Started was a nascent venture by Chintal Kakya as means to connect with her roots in Kenya & India grew into this successful venture.

Website link:  https://www.chinskitchen.co.uk

I have been fortunate enough to witness her journey through my lens, from paper bag packs to ornate tins its been an eventful journey. Each shortbread is made by her own hands, with choicest ingredients locally sourced. The balance of flavours is absolutely stunning with no overpowering ingredients. Her shortbread are most ideally paired with masala tea/chai. Shortbread means “crumbly” they are the exact nomenclature.The taste is so unique that it leaves a craving for more with every bite. They simply melt in your mouth. They are even loved by my 6 month old lad who loves biting.My personal favourite is the Classic Almond & Pistachio. The classic shortbread with that unique taste, golden appearance and rich melt in the mouth texture, this shortbread is a treat for every day.Sometimes when I am an on-location shoot, I prefer carrying a pack with me always. While naturally delicious, it has low saturated fat.Why I chose to review this in DIY segment was , people who take branding seriously always ensure packaging is utmost and recyclable. She has been responsible in choosing tin over plastics plus it is beautifully decorated with her logo and motifs. I give a five-star point for packaging and when such is the case, I can just pick it up and gift it to someone without worrying about packaging.

Note: This is not a sponsored post.