Seriously- Extra Large Jumbo!
Accidentally bought this Extra Large Jumbo size which was more than the size I needed for my Baby Shower packed gift basket. This size was more than enough. But I was still able to use it after modifying it and making some adjustments. Unfortunately I forgot to snap a picture of the finished result once it was all put together with the shrink wrap because I was running late for the shower. But I do have a picture of the gift basket when it was still in the works half full, a couple weeks before it was completed! Sorry! 🤷🏻♀️ I wanted that bougie, boutique-level, Michael’s-window-display finish, not a droopy or “gift-fair homemade” look. 🤣 In the basket, I used tissue paper at the very bottom, then a light layers of crinkle paper over tissue, added my gift items-filled empty spaces with crinkle paper, baby wash cloths, and wrapped bubble wrap as other filler to lift items. I used the bubble wrap under clothes/towels, and small soft baby towel wash clothes with the rest of the gift items. In other baskets I’ve made (not this one) I use command strip double-sided dots under heavier items to keep things in place and secure. Don’t let things wiggle inside. Movement = ugly, sagging shrink. Everything should feel snug before you even bag it. So filler is a requirement not just for aesthetic design look. Your bag should be 2-3 times larger than your basket. Mine was 4-5 times bigger. 🤦🏻♀️ Too small = wrinkles and weird creases. Too big = extra seams you’ll have to hide like me with this gift. A looser bag ALWAYS shrinks beautifully when heated. Place the basket inside the bag, fold bottom corners of bag underneath basket and tape down to temporarily hold bag neatly in place. Next you’ll want to gather the top NEATLY before shrinking. Pull the excess bag material straight up. Twist gently ONE TIME (not multiple). Secure it with a temporary rubber band or hair tie. Trim any major excess (don’t cut too close). I had to trim the top of mine a lot. THEN shrink with heat gun ($12 Amazon heat gun will do) or your blow dryer on “high” heat if that’s all you have. If the blow dryer doesn’t get hot enough the shrink wrap won’t shrink. Heat from the bottom up. Start shrinking from: • Behind • Under the basket • Back corners • Sides • Then front • THEN top This keeps the basket from tilting or collapsing and bottom-up shrinking pulls the plastic tight and smooth. This gives you a clean “balloon” effect and invisible seams. Keep the heat gun moving - Hold it 6–10 inches away and never stop moving. Lingering will melt a hole, shrink unevenly, pull the bag too tight on one side, and/or create shiny “burn spots”. Think: “hair dryer motion but hotter”. Smooth the seams with your hands as it warmly shrinks - use your palms to smooth the surface while the plastic is warm, not too hot. Doing this eliminates wrinkles and gives that “glass-smooth” finish. Remove the rubber band and the top twist, then add a large bow or ribbon to hide the twist. This disguises any uneven plastic and makes it look intentional. And, you’re done! Shrink wrap is durable, good quality, easy to work with, great for gift wrapping baskets and I highly recommend. Read more
