christmas gift sewing
Great Christmas Gift Ideas to Sew
If things are a bit tight this Christmas, why not drag out the sewing machine and make your own Christmas gifts. It doesn't have to be a complex piece of clothing. The suggestions below are all simple and easy to make. The biggest cost will be the fabric, so shop around for remnants and discount fabrics.
Elegant Table Runner & Placemats
When you think about it, the simple table runner is just a long rectangle, and placemats are just smaller ones. If you buy some nice organza or patterned satin material in festive colours, you can whip up a unique and beautiful gift in a matter of minutes.
A good size for a table runner is 60" long by 13" wide (or 160cm by 34cm). A good size for a placemat is 17½" by 12½" (or 45cm by 32cm). So for 6 placemats and 1 table runner, you'll need around 2 yards of fabric (2 metres).
For each item you will need two pieces of fabric, so fold your fabric in half (right sides together) and draw up your pattern pieces using tailors chalk and a ruler (don't forget to include a seam allowance).
Cut out, then sew together leaving a small gap in each piece (to turn the right way around). Turn right side out and iron (ironing the unfinished seam in place). Now run a seam around the entire outer side as close to the edge as possible. Voila!
Ladies Evening Wrap (or Day Wrap
Summer evenings are great, but sometimes they can be a little cool. Why not make this easy evening wrap - a quick and easy gift idea for Christmas too! Or, if you have a friend with Lupus, why not make them a daytime wrap so they can be shielded from the sun.
Great fabrics for this include silk or shot silk for an evening wrap, and tight weave cheesecloth which blocks the sun but still allows for air circulation for a day wrap.
The wrap is 31½“ wide by 63“ long (or 80cm by 160cm). However, our preference would be to have both long edges of the wrap as a selvedge edge, so if you find suitable fabric in a roll with a width just slightly larger than these (say 36" instead of 31½ “), go ahead and buy it - a little extra width won't hurt.
Before you buy your fabric, you need to decide what embellishment, if any, you want to put on the ends of the wrap. You can leave the edges as just a straight edge, you can attach some fringing or other decorative ribbon, or you can make your own fringe (if you are using a fabric than fringes easily). If you are buying decorative ribbon or fringing, you will need 63" or 160cm.
If you decide to make your own fringe, don't forget to factor that into how much fabric you will need. An average fringe is 2½“ long (or 7cm), so you will need to buy 31½ “ wide by 68 “ long (or 80cm by 174cm).
Then just stitch those edges that need to be stitched. For the sides (if you have to stitch them) I'd use a really tight zigzag stitch (test first on a scrap piece of fabric). For the ends, if you are just hemming, use the same stitch. If you will be attaching ribbon or fringing, sew a normal hem.
If you are fringing the wrap yourself, start unpicking the material at one end, and continue until the fringe measures 2½“ long (or 7cm). Now grab bunches of the fringing about 1/4" wide (1/2cm), and tie in a knot so that the knot is as close the edge of the solid fabric as possible. Repeat every 1/4" until you have knotted the entire edge. Now repeat with the other end of the wrap.
So, start sewing – hopefully these ideas will inspire you!
About the Author
Diane Ellis has been sewing since she was very young and got her first sewing machine at 6 years old (albeit a miniature one!). She sews purely for friends and family, and enjoys making her own patterns, and using her skills to decorate her home. She is the co-author of the website Sewing4Dummies.com where you'll find other great free patterns for Christmas Gift ideas. Also, for a limited time, you can sign up for a free 6 part sewing course called Easy Fun Sewing Projects.
|
|
1986 book SCRAP SAVER’S CHRISTMAS STITCHERY gifts, decor~ S. Foose ~ 159 pgs $8.99 |
|
|
S 2450 CHRISTMAS PATTERN CRAFT MUG PENCIL DESK GIFT $6.75 |
Inexpensive Christmas gift ideas for boyfriend who is in SCA? $20 limit, Greek reenactor, in military...?
Why, oh why did I agree to a $20 limit? Actually it was my idea, since we're both tight this year--he has kids in college and I've been strapped, too... I didn't want him to stress about paying a lot for a gift for ME... So, we have a $20 limit and can hand make whatever we want, as long as we don't go over the limit. I'm not as involved in the SCA and don't have that many skills. I can sew a little (easy stuff), but that's about it. He has most of what he needs as far as period clothing, although he does want a cossack coat. I don't think I am good enough to make one, and if I did, it certainly wouldn't be a surprise, as he'd have to try it on during the construction. I did find about 4 1/2 yards of burgundy chenille material for about $10, but don't know what to do with it.
I am considering doing what I did for my brother one year, which is buying some vodka and making different flavors of schnapps and liquours, as I have some recipes for that...
Any other ideas?? Help!
I'd totally take the fabric!!!! Seriously...as a SCA garb addict, if one gave me several yards of nice fabric as a gift I'd be thrilled. Maybe also include an IOU for the sewing portion?
The handmade cordials/liquours is a good idea too.
CDs, movies, those are easy things under $20. What about SCA related accessories? You might be able to make/buy a couple little things, like a new cloak pin, drinking vessel or something. (Last year I made a hand-hemmed linen veil for a female friend of mine as a 12th night gift.)
|
|
Keurig Signature B60 Bundle $145.99 Meet the day with a cup of coffee or cocoa brewed fast and fresh - brewing time for this single-serve brewer is under a minute to help you get your coffee on a tight schedule. The single-serve design reduces waste and allows you to enjoy a larger variety of flavors. The programmable on/off switch ensures safety while the quiet brewer technology brews your beverage without the usual noise of other ... |
|
|
Bucilla 86194 Holiday Cornucopia Stamped Cross Stitch Tablecloth, 60-Inch by 90-Inch $26.38 Celebrate special occasions with family dinners over the Holiday Cornucopia Collection of hand-made table coordinates. This kit contains washable white poly/cotton pre-finished fabric with the design pre-printed in wash away ink, DMC floss requirements and easy to follow instructions. Finished size: 60" x 90". Design: Holiday Cornucopia. Made in USA/Imported.... |
|
|
Victorinox Swiss Army Champion Plus Pocket Knife $34.99 From the renowned company that created the Swiss Army Knife a century ago comes the Champion Plus, a complete set of tools for campers, hikers, hunters, fishers, picnic enthusiasts, and people all trades--all neatly contained in a single implement. Measuring just 3-1/2 inches long, the Champion Plus is stylishly cased in the famous red Swiss Army body that's recognized around the world. More impor... |
|
|
26 Pocket Over Door Organizer-For Bi-Fold Doors-Assorted Colors $7.99 Organize your kids' rooms, store your shoe collection or the contents of your kitchen pantry with this versatile 26 pocket organizer. ASSORTED COLORS of dark blue or off white canvas-like material with 26 clear vinyl pockets. The organizer hangs over bi-fold doors or shower stalls to help you clear up clutter in virtually every room in your home! Perfect for children, dorm or apartment dwellers, ... |
|
|
Susho, King Silk Art Handmade Silk Embroidery - Go Fly a Kite - White Mat Framed Medium Size 35032WF $69.98 Susho represents the highest standard of Chinese embroidery. ** Each King Silk Art product is completely handmade with naturally dyed, pure silk. No machines, paint, or glue are used. ** To create detail, texture and depth, Susho artists split silk threads into finer strands (as thin as 1/16 of the thread) and use up to 40 different stitching techniques and over 1,000 different colors of silk thre... |
|
|
Japanese Anime Cute Strawberry Pillow Bed Perfect Gifts for Pet Dog Lovers $35.00 Perfect birthday, anniversary, Valentine's day gift or any occation! Large 30" Diameter size! that can fit to a medium dog like Doberman... |
|
|
kilofly Keychain & Money Clip Set - Tape Measure -Cherry Chip $11.00 kilofly Keychain & Money Clip Set makes stylish and functional accessories and unique gifts for your friends and family, as well as for yourself. The two piece kilofly Keychain & Money Clip Set is an excellent gift for birthday, Christmas, bachelor party, Father¡¦s Day, and many other occasions.This kilofly Keychain is not simply a keychain, but also a body measuring tape. The unique cable lock ... |
|
|
Iron On Hot Fix Gymnast (Small) $7.00 Gymnast in a perfect arabesque with her leg as part of the lettering. Gold, Pink, Dark Pink, Silver, Blue and brown metal rhinestuds. Design is 5" X 4". Instructions to iron on included. Can use an ordinary household iron.... |
|
|
1986 book SCRAP SAVER’S CHRISTMAS STITCHERY gifts, decor~ S. Foose ~ 159 pgs $8.99 |
|
|
S 2450 CHRISTMAS PATTERN CRAFT MUG PENCIL DESK GIFT $6.75 |
|
|
SIMPLICITY 4934 CHRISTMAS SNOWMAN ORNAMENT - GIFT BOTTLE HOLDER - DOLL PATTERNuc $5.99 |
|
|
CHRISTMAS SEQUIN & BEADED GIFT PACKAGE SET OF 10 $3.00 |
|
|
WESTCOTT MICROBAN 7 " SCISSORS LIFETIME WARRANTY ANTIMICROBIAL ACME XMAS GIFT $4.50 |
|
|
BUTTERICK 4119 OOP CHRISTMAS GIFT PACKAGE!!! $7.64 |
|
|
4842 Sewing Pattern Christmas Decorating Ideas Stockings Tree Skirt Gift Bags $2.99 |
|
|
SEWING PATTERN Simplicity 3540 Christmas PENGUIN ORNAMENTS TREE SKIRT GIFT BAGS $5.00 |
|
|
SILK EMBROIDERY THREAD 5 SKEINS 400 mts Free Bindi Christmas GIFT SALE S3 #04RK0 $9.99 |
|
|
10 m Natural jute Christmas tree green craft string twine gift wrapping $2.43 |
|
|
Xmas Decoration Button Shank LOT 3 Pc Santa + Wish List + Gift Bag Christmas $0.99 |
|
|
CHRISTMAS GIFTS PRESENTS & HOLLY LEAVES - IRON ON APPLIQUE KIT - FAST & EASY $6.00 |
|
|
SILK EMBROIDERY THREAD 5 SKEINS 400 mts Free Bindi Christmas GIFT SALE S3 #04XXK $9.99 |
|
|
Holiday Christmas Applique Pattern Santa Gifts Sewing Pattern $8.09 |
|
|
SILK EMBROIDERY THREAD 5 SKEINS 400 mts Free Bindi Christmas GIFT SALE S3 #04Y6W $9.99 |
|
|
SILK EMBROIDERY THREAD 5 SKEINS 400 mts Free Bindi Christmas GIFT SALE S3 #050Q9 $9.99 |
|
|
SILK EMBROIDERY THREAD 5 SKEINS 400 mts Free Bindi Christmas GIFT SALE S3 #051I0 $9.99 |
|
|
SILK EMBROIDERY THREAD 5 SKEINS 400 mts Free Bindi Christmas GIFT SALE S3 #051JX $9.99 |
|
|
SILK EMBROIDERY THREAD 5 SKEINS 400 mts Free Bindi Christmas GIFT SALE S3 #051ZD $9.99 |
|
|
SIMPLICITY CHRISTMAS DECOR TABLE SETTING & GIFT BOXES $3.00 |
|
|
SILK EMBROIDERY THREAD 5 SKEINS 400 mts Free Bindi Christmas GIFT SALE S3 #055ZC $9.99 |
|
|
Fancy Christmas Gift with bow Novelty Buttons Sewing Crafting - 2colors 1/2" $1.75 |
|
|
Fancy Christmas Gift with bow Novelty Buttons Sewing Crafting - 2colors 1/2" $1.75 |
|
|
Butterick 5112 Christmas Gifts For The Family 1997 $7.99 |
|
|
Red Present/Gift Box w Green Ribbon Xmas Plastic Button $3.49 |
Sewing gift bags