Sewing Gifts for the Holidays

Instructions

No matter how much time you have on your hands, there is always a way to personalize a holiday present with a little sewing.

If time isn’t an issue, sewing articles of clothing (e.g. a pajama set, or a sweater) is an ultimate way of showing someone you care. Sew in a “Made Especially for You” tag for an extra touch. Like the idea of making clothing, but don’t have lots of time? Use a snuggly knit or fleece fabric to sew a scarf. Make it a set by adding thumbless mittens (which is also a basic silhouette) with a drawstring tie, or rib trim, at the wrist.

When you only have a moderate amount of time (or if you don’t want to guess a clothing size!), embroider a store-bought household item (such as napkins, towels, handkerchiefs) for your friend or loved one. There’s no need to limit yourself to sewing the traditional initials. For a more creative and friendly touch, sew the outline of the recipient’s favorite animal, instrument, or hobby.

If you have presents to give en masse, but don’t want to rely on the old standby of cookies, make handmade tea bags. Mix together any combination you’d like of dried tea leaves, herbs, flower petals, lemon zest, candied ginger, etc. and divide the mixture into heat sealable tea bags (they seal shut with an iron). Use a needle and thread to sew on a cardboard or fabric square tag, and package it up in a little drawstring bag (a very quick sewing project). Remember, it’s the thought that counts; even if you only put in one or a few tea bags, the individual effort will be appreciated.

A quick but nice present for a fellow sewing enthusiast is a handmade sewing kit. Buy pins and needles, little scissors, seam ripper and other essentials, but then add a homemade pin cushion and put it all in a specially made bag—with handles and a zipper if you have time, drawstring if you don’t.

Finally, for almost no extra time, but for an unexpected classy touch, wrap your store-bought presents and packages with fabric. For cubed and rectangular shapes, sew the fabric closed where you would normally place Scotch tape. For the wine bag look, just tie it up with a ribbon bow on top.

written by: Amanda Kaufmann
originally published on: www.lovesewing.com No matter how much time you have on your hands, there is always a way to personalize a holiday present with a little sewing.

If time isn’t an issue, sewing articles of clothing (e.g. a pajama set, or a sweater) is an ultimate way of showing someone you care. Sew in a “Made Especially for You” tag for an extra touch. Like the idea of making clothing, but don’t have lots of time? Use a ...
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Category: Sewing

For: Unisex

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