Need Ideas for Small Gifts
 

My dear MIL just passed and I saved a few of her dresses to make lap quilts for her two daughters. I have 4 SILs and am trying to think of a small gift I could make to give each of them from the dress scraps. I thought of a Christmas ornament. Any other ideas? Can't be too big or too time consuming, and all the SILs are very different personalities so something kind of 'generic.' Ideas?

I am sorry for your loss and I really like your idea to give the girls a memory of their mom and MIL.

How about book marks with one of MIL favorite sayings or something she said a lot on the backs.

Tea towels using the dress fabric for an appliqué or ruffle.

Tissue holders come to mind...fast and easy and we all carry those little tissue packets in our purse...

how about those neat fabric boxes that have been pictured here so frequently.

Coin purses, mug rugs, fabric Kleenex thingies (directions on Pinterest).............calla

Stuffed hearts - small teddy bears - sachets - coin purse

I really like the idea of a Christmas ornament. Each year when they put up the tree, memories of her will be included. Plus the fabric won't get frequent wear and tear so will be better preserved.

ok i got a new one .......i made some memory quilts for a family in town ...took the shirts made the quilts for the daughter son wife and mom-n-pop ....and then i said what about sisters .hummmmm took the buttons from the shirts made earrings --and bracelets.......for sisters and nieces ..they loved them

Not sure how much material you can get but you might have enough for a table runner that could be used on their dressers

Perhaps use the dress fabric in a 12-inch in a star block or other pattern that works well as a single block. Add a border and backing in other fabric and make a small pillow. I wouldn't worry so much "their" personalities...this is about a memory, not a decorating style.

Sorry for your loss.
I was recently looking to make something simple for my niece's first birthday. I bought a small pillow form from the craft store, and made essentially a pillowcase from the bridesmaid dress I wore in her parents' wedding. I accented it with other elements of the dress. It didn't Take too long.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

I think keepsake Christmas ornaments would be perfect, they would suit everyone and would preserve Mom's fabrics rather than use them.

My FIL passed away last summer. He loved his plaid shirts so I made 15- 9 patch potholders by cutting up his shirts. I put a loop of ribbon to hang each one up and a tag on the back saying Memories of Grandpa, dates of birth & death & made with grandpa' shirts. These were made for children, grandchildren & great grands. A momento for them all to keep. found the pattern on this Quiltboard last fall.

Fairly large monogram for the wall, or small one for a mug rug.

A few years ago a friends MIL passed away & she had a couple of quilts all the daughters & grands wanted. The quilts were old & very worn, not very useable. I took the quilts & with their permission, of course, made teddy bears for each of them. They were ragged & very old looking, which they were, added some hand embroidery stitches & made beautiful teddy bears. All the girls loved them.

You guys have the greatest ideas, thank you!! I'll get everything made this summer and give them next December. Thank you!

How about a fancy pin coushion

I'm a huge fan of mug rugs, can never have too many. They are functional, pretty and a constant reminder of who made it AND of your MIL

i'm loving the idea of a christmas ornament.

if it were my mother's fabric, i would hate to wear it out in the form of a usable item. i would rather preserve it as an ornament.

Instead of a pot holder with lo how about a heart with a loop.

How about the small Snappy coin purses for some of them. They're very easy to make and always useful for something!

I have Christmas ornaments I keep out all year in my sewing room. mostly the homemade ones from the swap,
but it's a good idea to keep out.

Maybe a cloth quilted candy dish, easy to make and pretty on a table?:)
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Little dolls, something like a handkerchief doll. Could be used as an ornament or simply displayed. A photograph of the lady framed or matted with pieces of fabric.

cute idea!!!