Based on your written description, it might be worthwhile to give them the gift a bit late.
I totally get the rushing bit. I always regret that. I've found that now I need to take the time to write out my entire plan, step by step, if I'm in a hurry. I need to mark which pieces get turned under for my applique or I get on a roll & turn everything under & then get frustrated when I have to yank stitches & deal with the thread breaks.
The other day I made two mistakes back to back -- I traced all the bodies for my Sunbonnet Sue applique backwards & cut it that way. Didn't realize it until I went to stitch it on & it didn't fit; Sunbonnet Sue looked like some kind of contortionist. That same day I was supposed to trace out 6 Sues & 6 Sams on my center blocks. Well, I started with the Sues & just wanted to hurry up & finish ... and traced all 12 as Sues. So I had to remove my marks, dry, press & start all over again.
I do not have time to keep re-doing anything if I hope to be done in time for the quilt show. So far the list seems to be helping. Other than a couple times I have sewn my applique to my pants, I've been good. Oh, the trouble we get ourselves into when we are in too much of a hurry!