Fun, free patterns for holiday sewing

I like to make a few gifts here and there every year. This year I haven't done much, but I always like to collect a few potential ideas! So I thought I'd share a few of the interesting patterns out there that I've found that are pretty quick and easy gift ideas. 

There are quite a lot of accessories available for free on the Burda website at the moment. There are a couple of very cute bags which were all in varied Burda issues, but can also be downloaded for free! These range from an adorable crossbody bag to a croissant bag to some denim minipurses (and more).

There are some cool little stocking stuffer ideas too, like a coffee cup holder, a hair wrap, cosmetic bag or even super sweet miniature egg cozies ;) There are tons more placemats, hair bows, pincushions, shawls, slippers and much more! 

One of the more fun and unusual things I saw in Burda is a balaclava -- basically a hooded scarf. It's so cute and doesn't require any fitting. Also it's a little different from the usual scarf. You could add in some quick mittens to make a winter set for a gift recipient, too. 

If you want to give some home dec, Burda also has some decor patterns from the latest December issue  available for free right now. You could make your own stuffed Christmas tree or a lovely scrappy star cushion.

Of course there are tons of places other than Burda to find free gift ideas! 

Heather Handmade has a list of 50 gift ideas, from home goods to bookmarks, bags and more -- plus extra links to other gift lists. 

Of course there are tons of ideas on Pinterest - for a bit more guidance, try this board full of small free sewing projects collected by SewCanShe. 

Vanessa from Diyncrafts put together a list of some free, quick ideas that includes some more unusual ideas. 

Fabricville Canada has some fun projects available for free, both sewing and more crafty. And Fabricland Canada has some fab free projects on their blog, too. 

Hello Sewing has a collection of interesting small gifts to try out. 

Diary of a Quilter has a list of quick last minute gifts, many of which are free tutorials. 

Or, if you prefer to listen to suggested holiday gifts (not all free), you can check out a couple of recent podcasts: 

Seamwork Radio's 50 Ideas for Handmade Holiday Gifts

Sewcial Hour's DIY Christmas Magic

or even the classic Love to Sew "Sewing Gifts" episode from 2019

Whatever you choose, don't stress out and have fun this holiday season! 

(and if you have any fave gift projects to share, please leave them in the comments)

You Get a Bowl Cozy, and You Get a Bowl Cozy!

A year or so back I made a whole stack of bowl cozies for holiday gifts. I searched out fabrics that reflected the recipient's interests (my best find was a yoga print!) And then I had to look for the correct materials -- the only trick to this project (if you plan to use them in the microwave) is making sure you're using only 100% cotton fabric, thread and batting. Nobody wants a microwave fire for Christmas.

I kept my eye on sales and finally got a package of Pellon's Wrap N Zap for 40% off, which made 7 bowl cozies. I could probably squeeze one more out of the batting scraps if I piece them together.

I used this perfectly sized pattern, a well-known one by this time, from this tutorial by Lindsay at Happy Hour Stitches. It's a great tutorial, and a free pattern.

But this year I decided that I should also make myself a bowl cozy! They are so convenient for hot soup or oatmeal bowls, and I have so many scraps of cotton prints hanging around in my stash. I had a hard time making a choice for my own fabrics since I bought them all in the first place because I loved them. And I made my husband look through my cotton scraps and pick his own pieces as well.

This is what we ended up with.

I ended up going with a fat quarter that my sister bought me in New Zealand (fabric is such a great gift) covered in their national bird. My husband liked a red marbled print I've had for ages, and then I found a green cotton that coordinated perfectly with both. I had a bit more Wrap & Zap in my stash so I whipped these two together. Not sure why I waited so long to make us our own bowl cozies! 

Perfection :) 

Weekend Review: Half Yard Heaven

 

Half Yard Heaven / Debbie Shore
Tunbridge Wells, UK: Search Press, c2014
96 p.

If, like most sewists, you have scraps and scraps and scraps in your sewing room, this book gives some fun idea of tiny projects that can use some of those up! While it's intended mostly for quilting cotton scraps, dressmaking fabrics can certainly be used as well...you might even use up some interfacing scraps while reinforcing some of those lighter weight fabrics to use them in these projects. 

The book is laid out very attractively, with 26 projects to choose from. Instructions for each are clearly written, step by step, including a list of required materials at the beginning of each project. There are many clear photos for many of the steps, as well as a picture of the finished item, so you can get a good idea if the project is for you, as well as how involved it is. 

Just a few of the variety of projects included.
 I have my eye on that hanger organizer...

I found some of the projects a bit twee, and not something I might personally make (tissue box cover??) but most of them seem useful and practical - from aprons to slippers to oven mitts, to household items like padded hangers, book covers and a cute chicken doorstop, there is likely to be something interesting for most readers. 

Obviously I found this one interesting!

The projects are mainly made up in sweet quilting prints, lots of florals and pastel bright colours. However, changing that fabric to something more your tastes could totally change the look of the project -- I'm imagining some plaid or darker toned fabrics for a tote bag or neck cushion for a less girly feel, for one thing. 

I think it has some fun ideas to use up those leftover bits, although nothing too unusual is included, there are some solid projects and some great for beginners too. Quite a good book, and apparently just one in a series though I haven't seen any of the others -- this is the only one in my library system! 

Worth a look, I think, especially if you're thinking about clearing out your scrap stash in the new year. 

Weekend Review: Last Minute Patchwork & Quilted Gifts

Last Minute Patchwork & Quilted Gifts / Joelle Hoverson
NY: STC Craft, c2007.
160 p.

This is a book that really lives up to its title. Even if you started something today, you could finish it in time for gift giving, by using the time commitment ratios that this book is organized by.

And the quick gifts are NICE ones. Ones I'd be happy to give someone, or to have someone give to me! The book is organized into 3 sections: Intro, Basics (techniques, sources etc.) and the Projects. The project section is further organized into "Less than 2 Hour", "2-4 Hour", "4-8 Hour", "8-12 Hour", and "More than 12 Hour" gifts. (the last is mostly because they are hand quilted items; machine quilting would cut that down a lot). The estimates seem very realistic, not like the infamous "2 Hour Dress" sewing patterns we've all tried.

elegant pillows

Each section has pretty and useful ideas that would fit into the time slot suggested, from start to finish of a project. From very simple but lovely gifts like quilted coasters or the bird ornament on the front of the book, all the way to a fully hand quilted crib quilt, they cover a range of ideas. Pincushions, pillows, pencil rolls, napkins and/or table runners make way for a variety of quilt projects big and small. There is nothing totally unexpected or utterly unique about the projects, but they are all really nicely done, with special touches to make each one really nice -- for example, the pencil roll is colour matched with scraps to reflect the coloured pencils. A lovely touch.

The photos (by Anna Williams) are clear and engaging, giving lots of project detail as well as attractive staging. And the writing in the book is also readable for its stories as well as instructions. Overall a charming book that I'd recommend finding in your own library to experience the peaceful tone and pretty projects. If you like sewing little gifts and have lots of scraps, some of the shorter projects might be just what you are looking for.

Weekend Review: The Mindful Maker

The Mindful Maker / Clare Youngs
London: CICO, c2019.
128 p.

This is a book that is new at my library, and I'm so glad I checked it out. It's lovely. It is full of a wide variety of projects using many different, trendy craft techniques, but it is also full of the philosophy of making for mental health.

It has 35 projects, from home decor items to wall art to gifts for adults and children. Some are quick, some are more time intensive. We find macrame, weaving, punchneedle, embroidery, sewing, latch hook, sashiko, stamping, mending and more.

punchneedle! So trendy. But so pretty.

From simple bags to trendy tasselled earrings, from pillows to wall hangings to mobiles, there are so many different ways to make something mindfully in this book. The photos are lovely, quiet and aspirational. I do like how most of them are natural in materials or intent, and the feeling behind making is explored. There are throwbacks to more 'vintage' makes as well, including a string bag like the one I saw in the 1943 booklet I shared last week!

This is a delightful book. If you are still thinking about starting a gift for this season, this might be a good inspiration to get moving on something. Or, the book itself would be a great gift for anyone who know who is interested in getting into crafting -- there are so many choices of craft in it that surely one project would appeal. You could even give it with a promise to teach a technique to your gift recipient.

I think the balance of projects is good in this book, and the instruction is clear and thorough. The added elements of why crafting is a good thing just perk it up a little bit more than your average craft book. It might even be a good partner to Sewing Happiness, if you are into this kind of thing.

I was happy to discover this at my local library. Punchneedle is definitely on my radar for 2020. Any new techniques in your plans for the new year?

Weekend Review: Gifts You Can Sew, circa 1943

Gifts You Can Sew: book no. S-11
Canadian Spool Cotton Company, c1943.
34 p.

Today's feature is a charming booklet I found for .50 cents at my local thrift store recently. I really enjoyed looking through this set of 71 patterns for gift giving, published in 1943, with ideas to make things so that you could follow your generous impulses without being stifled by "a strict exchequer". Seems that things never change in some respects!

The book is broken up into sections; for brides, babies, teens, for the kitchen, the hobbyist, and even the soldier -- this is 1943 after all. There's even a page at the end about wrapping things cheaply but still attractively. 

Here are photos of the project pages for you to enjoy. 

Some of these projects are popular today -- for example, I immediately noticed the string bag below, since I've just seen instructions for a similar one in a brand new craft book just published this month. And I know I've seen the long, one piece oven mitt at craft fairs recently.

I was struck by Project #4 on this page -- it's another item that makes use of scrap stuffing,
rather like the immensely popular Closet Case Patterns Pouf -- if you are knee deep in poufs
by now, try out this "Headrest for Reading in Bed" instead!

Directions for Reading in Bed Headrest - note the "rags for stuffing" suggestion in the materials list. 

These are all super quick projects with brief instructions; and there is a wide variety. This is the kind of booklet I loved to collect when I was a teenager -- I also loved party planning guides from the 30s and 40s. I don't know where I got that from. Do you also enjoy vintage books and crafts?

 Hope you had fun perusing these pages with me. Good luck with your gift making this year!

Quick Sustainable Gifts from your stash!

If you're thinking about making a few little gifts this year, and need something quick because once again you've left everything to the last minute (just me?) there are quite a few fun, free patterns out there that are quick, multipurpose, and don't require any fitting at all.

Perfect for that last minute addition to a gift!

First, you might want to make a beanie from this free pattern made by Workhorse Patterns for the Sewcialists. It's a great use for knit scraps & can be just as cute as you want it to be. It can also be plain and solid coloured for more sedate headgear.

Of course you can easily put together a scarf to match, using my very own tutorial for an infinity scarf, or this one for a longer scarf. You can make it all out of one fabric, or jazz things up by first stitching together your scraps into a patchwork and then making your scarf from the resulting scrappy piece. Fabricland Ontario has a great tutorial for making a patchwork & fringe scarf from luxurious velvet!

Perhaps you want to make some sustainable packaging to gift it all in -- a quick fabric drawstring bag is a perfect option and the size can be cut to accommodate any package you have. You might want to fancy it up a little by adding a contrasting lining and eyelets or even just buttonholes for your drawstring. I usually make mine as simply as BrownThumbMama does in her clear tutorial above.

Costa Tote from Helen's Closet

Or you could add an extra gift by sewing up a simple tote bag to wrap your gift in that can then be reused all year long. Choose a fabric that matches the recipient's favourite colours or a novelty print that reflects their interests. Make it elegant with fancy fabric or cheap and cheerful with offcuts from your sewing. Just make it strong enough to hold things and make sure you secure the handles firmly. There are many options for tote bag patterns -- you can google a bunch! You might want to look at the Costa Tote from Helen's Closet (a free pattern with newsletter signup), or if you really get into bags and love sustainable, community sewing ideas, you can join Boomerang Bags, an international group based in Australia that focuses on making bags from post-consumer fabrics to help reduce single use plastics in your local community.

If you haven't already made these for everyone you know, a cozy gift is a microwaveable neck warmer. I have two at home, and one in my office drawer. They are wonderful when you've got a chill or a stiff neck from too much computer work! Here's one way to make them from SewCanShe that's not only simple, but uses smaller scraps to make a cheerful, colourful scrap-busting gift.

Hope that this will help with any of those last minute ideas you might be looking for!

Paisley Butterick Tunic

I just finished this lovely, flowy tunic made from some paisley print 100% polyester that a friend gave me for Christmas... in 2015!  I couldn't decide what in the world to make from it - I didn't want to waste it, and had to find just the right thing - but finally settled on this pleated tunic-like top, Butterick 5388. I love it!

There are a number of fairly distinct views in this pattern -- different sleeve and neckline options -- and I'd like to make them all. I chose View C this time as I thought it suited this fabric best. 

I really like how this fabric floats out from the front and back pleats. It's very comfortable over the hips, even though I cut 14 at the neck and just a smidge wider at the hips -- let's call it a size 15 ;) There are double pleats in front and one in back, and the sleeves are finished with an elastic casing. 

Front neckline with nearly invisible pleats

Back with single pleat

You can almost see my matching earrings in this back picture - they have the same shape and colour as the yellow motifs in the print - so weird to get such a random exact match!

The pattern calls for "sleeve stays" which confused me at first -- it only states this on the pattern pieces. After reading the pattern instructions through, I realized that it was essentially a self lined sleeve, and with my semi-sheer fabric I really didn't want that. Plus it just seemed like so much extra work for nothing. So I just cut and sewed a regular sleeve and turned under a hem casing for the elastic. It works great and was easy to sew.

Hazy days mean lots of squinting ;)

I really like the fit of this one. It has regular neck facings, and I considered switching them out for a bias strip neckline finish, but thought that with all the pleats there might be some shifting/bumpy issues with any topstitching. As it turns out, the regular interfaced facings have a lot of anchor points thanks to those very pleats, so they are stitched down in many locations. Meaning, no flip-outs and a smooth finish. This time it paid to follow the instructions!

This fabric was a dream to work with - I had none of the shifty, slippery issues I had feared when I began (except for during the cutting out part which was time consuming) and it pressed very well. I pinned a lot and sewed slowly, and fortunately had no troubles with puckered seams or suchlike. 

One very handy tip I picked up from a coworker who doesn't like to use too much anti-static chemical spray - when wearing polyester, place a tiny safety pin in the seam allowance around the hip area. Somehow it discharges a lot of the static that builds up... it really does work! 

You'll see I'm wearing this beautiful new top with my fave yellow tights and flats on a cool, cloudy day. Perfection. I love this one.