Wax wraps seem like a great idea, but before using any nice fabric I figured a brief test was in order.
This was probably a sensible move as my first attempt went rather awry. I used a swatch for some curtain material that isn't going to be used, I sprinkled on the wax, sandwiched it between a couple of bits of greaseproof paper, (ok, I lie, I put a ratty old tea towl underneath and greaseproof on top, but realised quite quickly that two pieces were needed - the tea towel now has a permanent role in any further wax wrap creations) and ironed it until all the wax was melted - which was pretty fast. I then let it try, before testing it to see if it was going to work in its new role, it didn't, I had made a stiff piece of fabric that was going to be of little use anywhere. It was also a little yellow and smelled a teeny bit odd.
'Ok, lets use the white beeswax' thought I. It was as I got this out that I discovered the yellow beeswax at the bottom of my box of supplies for making soap and lotion bars. I had inadvertantly picked up a packet of calendula wax which is apparently very good for making lip balms, and I think I bought because I needed to spend another couple of quid to qualify for free shipping last time I bought more shea butter. Calendula wax, whilst perfect for lip balm is not ideal for making wax wraps. Beeswax on the otherhand seems to work just fine!
So, to the fabric cupboard. The first thing that fell out was one of Ed's old shirts. The collar wore out a few weeks ago, but I tend to keep the shirts for random projects or using in quilts or potentially making into tiny shirts for Pip which might happen when I no longer have to earn a wage or do any laundry. This particular shirt, whilst it looked quite fetching on the husband, has migrane inducing stripes that like to wiggle around when you're trying to iron it, so I wasn't exactly gutted when it died.
The second attempt with old shirt plus beeswax worked just fine. I now have a few wraps to play with to work out what a sensible size is before having another go with some actually nice fabric. It was quite satisfying wrapping up the cheese after lunch.
It was also, very, very satisfying when Ed got home from swimming with Sally, walked into the kitchen and saw these and said. "No, you have to stop buying crazy things." (He has a point, I did go to Ikea this week.) But on this particular occasion I got to be very smug and tell him to look a bit more closely, and recognise the fabric?
Pitta parcel and the aformentioned ratty tea towel, now rechristened as wrap towel. The fabic lines even hurt to look at on the computer, ridiculous stripes.
