How To Make Beeswax Wrap - with iron or Elnapress

Beeswax Wraps replace single-use plastic cling wraps - and I've been meaning to make some. As it turn out....

Something Nikki said piqued my curiosity.

"I spent yesterday with a pile of fabric, some beeswax and an Elnapress ..."
 

Beeswax Wraps?! With patchwork  cotton fabrics?

Because of my Fabric Stash Challenge , there will be some fabric that could turn into bees wax wraps - to help minimise Gladwrap usage at our place. Why Not?!

With Google's help, I found this Tutorial  and  YouTube   video with the simplest method:
 

Using just beeswax is probably the easiest place to start.

There are other recipes that incorporates resins and jojoba oil. The idea is that resin improves the stickiness, and jojoba oil helps to keep the resin and beeswax combined. Though there seems to be some  mixed results about this, so I've decided to just keep it simple.

By all means, feel free to experiment if you like :-)


Here are the steps for DIY Beeswax Wraps:


1. Make sure your fabric has pinked edges to prevent fraying.
 

Use pinking shears or rotary cutter with a pinking blade if you're using Fat Quarters or Fat Eighths .

Even better - Layer Cakes (or even Charm Squares ) are perfect because they are pinked already! 
 

2. Protect your ironing surfaces with old towels and baking paper. Covering your iron with foil should do the job :-)

Make sure there is baking paper on BOTH the bottom and the top of your fabric  - and use old towels to further protect your ironing board and iron.
 

3. Sprinkle grated beeswax evenly over the fabric surfaces.
 

4. Cover the top completely with baking paper, and top with an old towel for better protection. Press down with your hot iron.

Or use an Elna press if you have one - it's quicker and gives much better results.
 

Alternatively - bake yours in the oven. Think of it like a pizza - you want the "cheese" (I mean beeswax) to melt.
 

Use an clean old brush halfway through to spread the wax evenly.

Another way to melt is to use an electric frypan. Melt all your wax and just dip your fabric one by one.
 

Of course, make sure the frypan is reserved for this purpose only. I'm sure it will be waxy forever!

Out of all the melting methods, I personally find  Elna press the easiest - and least messy :-)
 

5. Check that the wax has melted evenly into the fabric.

It should look "wet" when the wax has been absorbed properly. If you see any "dry" spots, sprinkle some more grated wax and repeat the melting.
 

6. Let cool, and start using them in place of plastic cling wrap!
 

Voila - see how pretty they are?!

To reuse, simply rinse thoroughly under cold water with a tiny bit of dishwashing liquid, and let dry. Easy!
 

Don't use these wraps for raw meat though, because you can never wash them in hot water - you'd lose the wax. Because of that, I know beeswax wrap won't replace Gladwraps 100%....
 

But - how satisfying does it feel to find a new life for your unused fabric, AND cut down everyday plastic waste at the same time. Brilliant, right?
 

To make it ever more fun, why not host a beeswax wrap party with your sewing friends?!

You can make larger batches out of everyone's unused fabric.

Then sell them at school fetes / local craft or farmers markets.

Or even open your own Etsy store and make some pocket money!
 

Who knew? All the possibilities from a bit of fabric decluttering and a hot surface :-)

Do you use beeswax wraps?

Have you made your own? Do you make and sell them?

Simply Email Me to share your  photos with our readers - so we can all be inspired :-)




Until Next Time, and Happy Sewing!


xoxox