DIY Gift Wrap with a Tea Towel
By Luxury American-Made Bedding & Towels - Red Land Cotton | Published: 2026-10-22
Category: Product Reviews
Wrap gifts sustainably using a reusable heirloom tea towel. This guide shows you how to fold and tie a beautiful, eco-friendly package.
Quick answer
Use a 100% cotton tea towel as reusable gift wrap. It creates a beautiful, zero-waste package that the recipient can keep and use in their kitchen.
Why a tea towel works for gift wrap
A tea towel is large enough to cover most small-to-medium gifts, and its soft cotton fabric folds neatly without tearing. Unlike paper, it leaves no waste and becomes a bonus gift itself.
The Heirloom Tea Towel from Red Land Cotton is made from scrap fabric left over from production runs, so it's already a sustainable choice. Its 27.5 by 20 inch size is ideal for wrapping a standard cookbook, a bottle of wine, or a small box of treats.
What you will need
One Heirloom Tea Towel (or any cotton tea towel roughly 27 by 20 inches). A small gift item (book, bottle, or box). Optional: a piece of twine or ribbon to secure the wrap.
How to wrap a gift with a tea towel
- Center your gift on the towel: Lay the tea towel flat with the printed side down. Place your gift in the middle, oriented diagonally so the corners of the towel will meet on top. A common mistake is placing the gift too close to an edge. Keep it centered so the folds are even.
- Fold the bottom corner over the gift: Take the bottom corner of the towel and fold it up over the gift, tucking the tip snugly against the far side. This creates a clean base layer. If the towel is too short to reach the far side, your gift may be too large for this size. Try a smaller item or use a larger towel.
- Fold the left and right corners inward: Fold the left corner over the gift, then the right corner, overlapping them slightly in the center. This secures the sides and creates a neat envelope look. Don't pull the corners too tight or the fabric will bunch. Leave a little slack for a smooth finish.
- Bring the top corner down and secure: Fold the top corner down over the previous folds. Tuck the tip under the layers or tie it in place with a piece of twine or ribbon. The result is a secure, paperless package. If you don't have twine, you can knot the top corner itself or use a decorative pin. The recipient can untie and reuse the towel.
Product facts
- Heirloom Tea Towel - Oh Shucks: Made from scrap fabric left over from production runs. 100% homegrown cotton. Screen-printed in Moulton, Alabama. Size 27.5" x 20". Every towel is one-of-a-kind and already reduces waste, making it an ideal material for a reusable gift wrap project.
Heirloom Tea Towel - Oh Shucks
