Shrink wrap is the perfect final addition to a gift basket. Besides giving a polished finish, shrink wrap holds items in place preventing slippage of carefully arranged gifts. Although shrink-wrap comes in a variety of forms, the individual bags in small, medium and large are the cheapest and simplest to use. Available at your local craft store, shrink-wrap bags are the beginner's dream. Be sure to pick up a few bags as shrink-wrapping quickly becomes addictive.
Using Shrink-wrap Bags for Baskets
Instructions:
1. Arrange the items in basket so they are evenly distributed. Shrink-wrap is transparent, so be sure your items look good all the way around and are secure in their position.
2. Open the shrink-wrap box and remove the cellophane bag. Carefully open up the bag and get a good idea of the size.
3. Place the basket in center of bag with the cellophane seam sitting under the bottom of the basket. You do not want the seam to pull up in the heating process and mar the finished look, so always keep it low or underneath.
4. Draw the bag together using your hands either an inch above the handle or 6 inches above the tallest item and secure with a rubber band or piece of tape.
5. Arrange the shrink-wrap. Creases and awkward folds look worse after heating, so get the shrink-wrap as smooth and evenly gathered as possible.
6. Heat shrink wrap using a hairdryer on a low heat or with a craft-heating tool. Start at the bottom of the basket and work your way evenly up the sides. You know you are finished when the cellophane is taut to the touch all over.
7. Create a more secure closing by tying a bow or ribbon over the rubber band or tape and then sit back and enjoy your handiwork.
Using Shrink-wrap Sheets or rolls for Baskets
Instructions:
1. Cut the shrink-wrap sheet large enough to go all the way around your basket.
2. Place the shrink-wrap over the top of the basket and fold it underneath. Fold over one side, then the front, the other side and then the back. Place it on a table. Make sure you do not have a tablecloth on the table.
3. Tilt the basket to the back, and, using your heat gun, heat the bottom for 10 to 15 seconds, moving the heat gun back and forth. Then set it back down on the table.
4. Tilt the basket to the front and heat the bottom again for about 10 seconds. Do not hold the heat gun in one position; keep moving it.
5. Set the basket down and quickly run the heat gun back and forth over the basket part and then the top. The wrap will get tight. Do not overheat it, or it will split or get a hole in it.
6. Place a ribbon around the basket and tie a bow on the top.
Tips & Warnings:
a) You may want to trim down the shrink-wrap to better accommodate your basket.
b) Trying to remove the original fastening will end up getting messy, so always cover for that finished look.
