velvet inspired wrapping paper.

Published on by Quandie

On Wednesday I shared our incredible tour of the Luigi Bevilacqua velvet weaving workshop in Venice.

The gorgeous velvet fabrics they create are filled with rich colors and many of them have metallic threads shot through them as well.  I especially loved this combo …

A vibrant pink with a metallic gold background.

Although their fabric is well out of my price range, I decided I could easily make my own Bevilacqua velvet inspired wrapping paper for Christmas.

I started by gathering my supplies.

I’ve got plain brown wrapping paper, Dixie Belle’s Peony, Fusion’s Pale Gold, Prima Marketing stencils in Imperial Damask and French Damask and a small foam roller.

Next I added gold ‘threads’ to the brown wrapping paper by using a cheap chip brush to dry brush Fusion’s Studio Metallics Pale Gold over the paper.  The texture of the cheap brush made it perfect for this technique.  Just use a small amount of paint and lightly brush it over the paper.

It didn’t take long to do the entire roll.  I just kept unrolling the paper as I went and stretching the roll across the room to dry.

By the time I got to the end, the beginning was dry enough to start loosely rolling the paper back up again.

Next, in an ‘it was meant to be’ sort of way, I found that the Prima Marketing Imperial Damask and French Damask stencils fit almost perfectly across the width of the brown paper.  The design portion of the stencils is about 22″ x 26″.

I like to use a small foam roller when working with these larger stencils because the paint goes on much more quickly than it does with a stencil brush.

I just pour the paint onto a paper plate and then apply it to the roller.  As always with stenciling, I used a fairly dry roller so that my paint wasn’t too sloppy.

I just kept going down the length of the paper, lining up the pattern at the edge of the previous pattern each time.  I wasn’t super careful about that, this was only wrapping paper after all.  But even so, I can’t really tell where the edges were in the finished paper.

I think the matte finish of the Dixie Belle Peony paint was perfect for recreating the look of velvet, and the Fusion Studio Metallics Pale Gold underneath adds just enough shimmer and mimics gold threads perfectly.

You aren’t limited to just wrapping paper with this technique, it also worked beautifully on a cardboard hatbox …

and also on brown craft paper gift bags.

So even if we can’t quite afford that beautiful velvet fabric from Venice, we can certainly make our own knock-off faux velvet wrapping paper at a fraction of the price!

The only problem is that these presents are so pretty no one is going to want to unwrap them!

If you enjoyed this post and you like the idea of making your own gift wrap, be sure to check out the copper gift wrap I made a couple of years ago.  I paired it up with some lengths of old player piano music rolls …

And then there are last year’s pink gift boxes.

It seems like it’s turning into a bit of a tradition for me to create my own gift wrapping each year.  I suspect it’s a bit of a luxury to have the time to get this elaborate with my gift wrapping.

How about you?  Do you take time with your wrapping, or are you up until midnight on Christmas Eve just hoping you don’t run out of tape?

 

 

64 thoughts on “velvet inspired wrapping paper.”

      1. I was going to recommend that, too! I would buy it! That was my favorite combo, too, thise two colors! ❤️

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  3. That was a great tutorial! I create my wrapping paper and bags too. Mine are whimsical. But I’m going to try your elegant technique! Merry Christmas and thank you for your creations!
    Smiles, alice

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  4. So, so pretty. I have a number of rolls of brown kraft paper I found at an estate sale so when I finish with all the trays and picture frames all over my dining room table I just might have to try some wrapping paper! Your wrapped packages are so amazing, are they just for decorative purposes or do you really give your family their presents like this? Impressive either way.

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  7. So Beautiful! I’m Tempted to call into work sick today and get started on paper for my daughter’s Christmas gifts! I love your blog. You never disappoint. So talented!

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  8. This is just gorgeous! I somehow thought the paint might get a little chippy or flakey when the paper was rolled, but no! This idea brings to mind so many possible riffs…plus the sound of many of us lamenting “oh no, now I need to try making my own wrapping paper!”. Too bad it’s too late to order the stencil and do the deed!

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    1. LOL, yes, I can hear that lament too 😉 As for chipping and flaking, I think it’s the porous nature of the brown paper that makes the paint stick so well. If you used a shinier, coated paper the paint might very well flake off.

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  12. Beautiful paint and paper. And try saying “cheap chip brush” three times fast… lol. Love the gold and pink combo too…you can really see where the inspiration came from. That fabric is to die for.

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  14. This just might be my favorite post ever! So beautiful! Question – how do you keep the stencil in place without it making a mess and smearing the paint as you go?
    About 20 years ago, my sister in law wrapped our gifts with beautiful fabrics and pretty ribbon-it felt so personal and special. She’s an interior commercial architect and always coming up with creative ideas. I’m sharing this one with her! BTW, I still have those fabric pieces from the gift wrap in my box of wrappings-a reminder each year to add a little something special. Thanks for your ideas!!!

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    1. I used a little piece of the yellow Frog tape (for delicate surfaces) to tack the stencil at top and bottom to keep it from moving on the paper. Easy peasy 😉

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  15. I enjoyed your post of the weaving workshop so much. I love that people are passionate about keeping hand crafted techniques alive. I bet it really was like going back in time. You are so much like that with all that you do by giving an old piece of furniture new life and turning a plain piece of brown paper into something beautiful. It’s going to be quite festive under your tree this year and you can think about your trip and tell stories as each gift is opened. Thanks for sharing your great ideas.

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  17. Beautiful way to dress up brown paper. Last year I stamp stenciled and this year was eraser polka dots on brown paper for gift wrap. You have given me next year idea early! Thanks.

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  18. You continue to amaze me. Everything you do has such perfection and I’m envious of your may talents. Thanks for sharing another wonderful project. Merry Christmas Linda.

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  20. Beautiful!! I’m wondering if your technique would work on drop cloth material?? That would be a gorgeous pillow, seat cover or drapes! I’m just saying …. but maybe wait until after Christmas! Thanks for sharing!

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  21. Ah, the joys of travel, and inspiration! That deep rose and gold….gorgeous. The visual tradition of Luigi Bevilaqua lives on in your work!

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  23. Soooo pretty and it does look like a replica/knockoff of the opulent velvet fabric! And ya, I love making my own wrap – and gifts if time allows. Happy holidays to you Linda! xo

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    1. That would be good humor. The recipient opens the package to discover an empty box. Then you tell them the wrapping is the gift! 😀

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  25. Fantastic as usual. The best I ever did was rubber stamp and colour on the print with markers. I think I used red sparkle glue for the red bits too. I would love to try your idea. Stunning. So fortunate that the stencil fit perfectly.

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  27. That is truly beautiful! You could apply this technique so many places. I’d love to see a wall done with this! The tour of the factory was fascinating. Such a gift to us readers!

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  30. I was going to cover a box for my granddaughter for storing stuff inside a dresser I painted for her but I’m going to do this instead! Woo hoo! The possibilities are endless! Thanks for sharing this:)

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