Saturday, November 19, 2011

Practical Gift Sewing

I've been thinking a lot about sewing projects lately. I have a couple different things planned and underway, but I feel like I keep falling back to the same types of projects- simple skirts or square household things. I need some new ideas! I like all my sewing to be useful and practical, things I can wear or use around the house or give as gifts that will be appreciated, not just something that takes up space.


 I am looking for ideas of things that I can make with the variety of fabric scraps I currently have (quite a few, varying in size, enough to stuff a pillowcase full) without needing to buy any new fabric.


I am relatively new to sewing but I think I could take on something besides square linens! Does anyone have ideas for unusual but relatively easy gifts to sew? (or craft in other ways, too).  I've done a lot of poking around on blogs but I feel like there must be more ideas hidden away out there somewhere! What do you give as simple, homemade gifts?

7 comments:

Laurel said...

drawstring bags or other lunch type bags, patchwork totes, fabric coaster sets, patchwork quilts?

Amy said...

Haven't you made bags or purses before? Even if you haven't, I bet you could figure it out pretty easily. That would be a cute gift idea!

Liz said...

Oooh, I love the idea of lunch bags! I've managed one small bag before, that is definitely something to expand on. Thanks for the ideas!

Unknown said...

for winter, I have made wheat bags for friends in the past (if you haven't heard for them, they are just a bag of wheat that you microwave and they stay warm for ages). for example http://www.wheatbags.com.au/.
You can use some nice fabric to make the bag and juts fill it with wheat and sew it up :)

Lisa said...

Half aprons are easy enough. Think square with a band! If you dont have enough of any one material, make them in stripes or patchworky.

Amy is right purses are cute and quick.

I am only a learner sew-er to.I cant bring myself to use sewer cause its a sewer if you know what i mean!

Have fun!

Shelley said...

For our wedding, I'm expecting nothing less than a tapestry of Angkor Wat sewn together from every bit of your most luxurious scraps-complete with miniature bas-reliefs of our artistically inspired countenances appliqued on the walls.

Anonymous said...

You can make unpaper towels. They are square but they are very practical and I frequently give them as a set with a handmade wetbag. My sister in law likes her so much I have had to make her a second set.