Handmade Christmas Gifts in No Time
The holidays are here and it's time to whip up those handmade gifts. Eeep! Hopefully, you started sewing for the holidays back in the summer but, if you're on team procrastinator, I got you. These are all quick sewing ideas and range from baby to grandpa.
Below you will find some tutorial links and free patterns. Although, I've created this list to get you brainstorming and ideas flowing. Less talking and more making.
Get ready, get set, sew!
Baby Items
There's always someone who's having a baby. You can whip up a bib, burp cloth, and blanket in about 30 minutes. All you need is some fabric and a snap or velcro for the bib fastener. Read my baby items post here.
There are tons of free bib patterns you can find online. Or make a bandana-style bib.
Here's a super easy burp cloth tutorial. Hint: it's just a rectangle.
For an easy blanket, cut one square yard of flannel and one of cotton fabric. Sew them RST, leaving a gap for turning out. Topstitch the opening closed, and you're done. Sew easy!
If you have more time, you can make a fabric alphabet set, baby outfit, fabric book, or sleeper bag. You could even add an easy-to-sew teether, pacifier clip, or mittens. Pinterest is your friend. LOL
Fabric letters are a fun gift idea too. Print out a boxy font A-Z and use as a template. 2 layers of fabric and add a layer of fleece in between to add some bulk. Sew around and cut with pinky shears.
Toiletry Bags
Do you have a zipper and some scrap fabric? Sew a zipper pouch in less than 30 minutes. Follow this tutorial for an easy refresher on zipper installation for a makeup bag. Make them as big or little as you want.
Teens love these. Little kids love these. Everyone needs a zip bag for something. They work great for tools too. I’ve sewn a few for my husband’s random things he wanted to protect from rolling around inside the toolbox.
Keychains
Sew a quick keychain following Melly Sews tutorial. Grab some lip balms, lotions, and hand creams to complete a gift set. This is perfect for the babysitter, pre-teen, teacher, or neighbor. Heck, even Dad uses lip balm.
All you need is a scrap of fabric and a metal keyring. If you have a pack of key rings, batch-sew a few of these for gifts. Lip balm holders for everyone!!
Infinity Scarf
Have a yard of 60" wide stretch knit fabric? You can make one with soft flannel or even crushed velvet for a luxurious scarf. They make great gifts for moms, aunts, teachers, etc. This length creates a single-loop scarf.
Cut the yard in half, lengthwise. You can make 2 scarves from one yard.
Grab one piece and fold RST. Sew the long side. Use a ballpoint needle, zigzag stitch, and 1/2" seam allowance.
Reach your arm through and grab the other end, keeping RST (right sides together) pull the ends together, matching seams.
Sew around the seams, leaving a 2"-3" opening for turning. Then, hand-stitch the opening closed. Wah-la!
Use for hand warmers, aches and pains, or freeze to use as an ice pack.
Rice Bags
Your family members all spend lots of time on laptops, phones, and other devices. Their sore muscles could use a little TLC. This is another scrap-busting gift idea. Yay!!
Cut squares or rectangle pieces from cotton fabric in any size you'd like. Add a 1/4" seam allowance.
Sew the pieces right sides together. **Use cotton thread if you plan on microwaving these.
Leave a 2" gap for turning out.
Fill with rice, flaxseed, or corn. Topstitch around the whole bag, watching out for kernels.
Store in the freezer and use on tired eyes. Microwave for 20-second increments until you've reached the desired temperature, for sore muscles. These make great hand warmers for chilly walks, too.
Aprons
Have a baker or chef in the family? Pick a pattern style from the links below. Pick an apron that matches his or her needs. Each highlighted link leads you to a different FREE pattern.
Aprons make nice gifts for little ones and adults. They are completely customizable. Add ruffles. Make the straps longer or shorter. Sew on some extra pockets.
Some Different Styles:
Make a simple rectangle style with pockets and make a tool apron for the person who fixes everything. The littlest mechanic would love one filled with plastic tools. Leather would work for a metal worker. Canvas can work for wood or other jobs.
Have a gardener in the family? They could use one as well. Aprons can be so diverse with a tweak here and there. A half apron works great for gardening. Make sure to add lots of pockets.
Egg Gathering aprons are a Godsend to folks with ducks or chickens.
Aprons usually take one yard or more of fabric so, this might require a trip to your local craft store. Oh darn! You need extra white thread anyway, make a fun trip out of it. ;)
Home Decor Baskets
"A place for everything and everything in its place."
-Benjamin Franklin
We all have stuff. Lots of stuff. And the stuff needs a home. Fabric baskets make great homes for stuff! They're easy to make and versatile in size.
Here's what you'll need:
Fabric for the outside and fabric for the lining
Interfacing: I like fusible foam for bigger sizes, fusible fleece for smaller sizes and stiff interfacing works well enough for medium sizes if you don't have foam. *If you don't have interfacing but, have denim or canvas, use that as the lining. It acts as an interfacing. I've done this a few times in a pinch and loved the end result. It works in small to medium sizes. You could make a large blanket basket but, it won't stand up on its own. It will be floppy.
Decide on the size you need or just wing it. Use a template to make boxed corners or box them after the side seams are sewn.
Add handles for carrying or a loop to hang the basket.
I don't have a particular pattern to share with you because I usually wing it on sizing. But, here is my favorite tutorial on assembly.
These are great for small toys, stuffed animals, kitchen and pantry items, craft rooms, makeup, bathroom counter organization, and keeping socks organized inside dresser drawers. The sky is the limit!
More Ideas
These things shouldn't take more than 30-45 minutes to make. You're not going for a blue ribbon here. You're going for Handmade in a Hurry!
Box bag for Dad's toiletries
PJ pants for kids are easy
Kitchen towels
Cloth napkins (set of 4 or 6)
Table runner
Hair Scrunchies
Apple watchband scrunchie
Eye mask
Head scarf ( follow my tutorial)
Glasses Case
Gifts for pets
Mug rugs or a set of coasters
Stuffed animals or pillow animals
This is a Bonbon Pet by Dana, I made using her pattern.
Embroidery Machine Gifts
If you have an embroidery machine, you can buy towels, shirts, bags, etc., and personalize them. It's handmade in a hurry! I usually keep a few tea towels or makeup bags lying around to create a quick gift. People love personalized items. And, having your name on something is always fun.
Here are a few ideas:
Tea towels with funny sayings, bible quotes, holiday designs, family last name, etc.
Purchase large makeup bags and embroider the recipient's name or makeup designs on the front.
Personalize luggage tags. Or, the actual luggage.
Bathroom towels with funny sayings or monograms.
Purchase an inexpensive blanket and embroider the family name on it.
Buy stockings and add names to them.
Buy small stockings and create a name file to add to the mini stocking. We are doing this for our homeschool teacher this year.
Pillows are easy as well. Buy a pillow cover and embroider a design on it.
Toilet paper! Yes, you can embroider a funny design on a roll of toilet paper. It's easy and makes a great gift for the joker in the family.
The possibilities are endless here. I like to set up my embroidery machine to stitch out a design while I'm busy sewing other things. I'll usually make a Saturday out of gift making- a few days before Christmas. Ha! As I said, I'm team procrastinator. Face-palm!
The trick to sewing quickly is to not overthink it. Just cut and sew. Put on happy music or a fun podcast, and you'll whip out handmade gifts in no time. Make sure to eat something! Food gives you energy. ;)
Are you going to make some of these gift ideas? Share in the comments what you plan on making or other ideas that aren't on the list. We all need quick sewing gifts we can make.
Happy Holidays,
Annette