Help---Need an idea
 

For my cousin for her birthday. Made her everything from quilts to kitchen stuff to fabric covered flip flops. What do I make her, Help please. Her birthday is in May, so I need a head strart on this.

Maybe a quilted bag/purse? Or a quilted basket for organizing... like this:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kwoozy/424703837

Or some pillow covers in the colours of her bedroom (you can personalize them with a monogram or applique letters, as well).

a fabric basket is a good idea,thanks, but what kind and colors. I'm at a loss. Don't know her colors, I'd have to ask. I also want it easy to ship too.

What about one of those stitch n fold wreaths that are popular now? They can be a table topper, hang on a door or wall, put a candle in it, etc.

i'd have a hard time shipping the wreath. thought of that, but I don't wan to spend more money on the shipping than on the item.

Lynnie You might try a quilted sweat shirt jacket. I have made dozens and have people begging for me to make them one. I have on occasion made adult jackets but mostly children jackets.. Mostly girls 'cause I like making them and there are few boys that want one. Most of those jackets have gone to St Jude and the local pantry. I give them right before Christmas so they have a nice surprise. Use your imagination or ask a 6 to 10 year old. They have no qualms about picking colors or design. For adults I tend to be a little more "quiet" in choices as my grandaughter calls it. I have used lone quilt blocks to just crazy quilt.

What about doing it more like a box, using the Pellon ShapeFlex, but instead of having stitched seams on the sides you could use ties so it would lay flat for shipping or storage? You could always pick neutral colors so it would go with any decor.

I like the candle thing, but wouldn't want to deviate from the original design that I love so much.
She lives in HOTlanta as she calls it. She's 27 and has everything. ie. designer handbags and all the cloths to go with it, and shoes too. Hey,,, maybe a shoe bag?!?! or a few of them. would you want one? Out of what kind of fabric?
I just mailed her 2 table runners and it was over $8in the light plastic bags, no less.
Keep coming up with ideas, I need some for Christmas too.

What about a cosmetics bag? A girl can never have enough of those?

Use the padded flat rate mailer next time. They are uh... $6 some thing to ship. Weight based priority currently only works to your advantage above 3 pounds. Then it's cheaper than flat rate boxes.

I think that's a great idea.

Or you can make something similar, a makeup brush roll-up case like this:

http://www.sew4home.com/projects/sto...-secret-pocket

It doesn't seem difficult, it's useful... and it's small, so the shipping cost won't be expensive.

Really like this pattern ... will have to try it.

I made my daughter a cosmetic bag out of silk and she loved it

Here are some ideas if you haven't already done them:

- tablerunner
- place mats
- coasters or mug rugs (add tea or coffee--whichever she drinks)
- candle mat and then send a candle to go with it

- others have said to make a cosmetic bag....good idea...then you can put in some small bottles of lotion or something she would not purchase for herself....(little so the postage is not huge)

- maybe even some cosmetic bags in 3 different sizes (small, medium and large) and put something small in it

- dustcover for purses (I only have one that came with a dooney and burke purse, but looks like a drawstring bag)
(maybe there's some cute fabric out there with purses on it or whatever she likes...dogs...cats...ice cream...etc.)

Sorry...I just saw that you had mailed table runners already......oops! You've got lots of ideas from everyone so far....I might need to keep those in mind for my gifts too! Have fun!

A set of open top boxes to organise bathroom bedroom etc . Fit one inside each other.

Lynnie I think a shoe bag or two would be ideal. I've made a few as presents and they've always been well received. Also small lightweight package for posting.

How about a padded cover for her iPad/mini iPad or iPhone?

I recall seeing a flurry of posts perhaps last summer or early fall for a mid sized bag that reminded me of a man dopp kit/bag but made with beautiful colors. They are rectangular, one zipper and squared corners. I am guessing 8-10 inches long, 4 inches high and wide. Perhaps someone on the board know the a link to this kind of bag. I know gals in my guild were making them like crazy last fall. You could then fill it with little treats or even a simple gift card.

Oh, Oh, Oh, that reminds me I saw directions online for a credit card holder, simple and again, a beautiful holder and card to a restaurant or favorite store might do the trick for you. I use my card holder all the time!

How about a bedside bag that tucks between the mattress and box spring to hold books, etc. I enjoy reading books and magazines after I get into bed and before I go to sleep and it nice to have a place to slip them into as opposed to having to get out of my warm, cozy spot to put them somewhere.

Lots of good ideas! I am thinking to use some of them for Christmas.

I made myself and niece's a holder to put your hot curling iron in when traveling. I used the silver iron board fabric and insulbrite as lining. We all love it...after all what is the last thing you do every morning..curl your hair? There are lots of ideas on pinterest.

What about a quilted pocket organizer for her couch or chair. Cut a rectangle long enough and wide enough. Make as many sections as you want. Example; one for tv remote, satellite remote, and blue ray player. Shipping would not be that much. You could make it in a neutral color so it would go with her decor.

I bought the Sew Together Bag pattern and have been making those. They're kind of addictive. (They're also kind of a pain in the bum to make with the bindings but so fun, I'm still making them!). Lol

So many of the quilt lines are coming out in 'metallics'. Why don't you use a neutral metallic for a bag or scrap bucket

Oh, I love all the ideas here! Thought I'd add my own ...

I have a couple friends who have requested eye glass cases for their sun glasses and peepers. Maybe she’s too young to need peepers.
I think a shoe bag or two is a very good idea.

I have a fold up basket (ties in the corners) that I like to take when I travel. It lays flat in my suitcase for packing, and when I get to my destination I use it to corral all my vanity items.

Does she have a tablet? Perhaps make a cover for it.
like this:
http://www.indygojunction.com/Tech-P...o-p/pij904.htm
or
http://so-sew-easy.com/tablet-case-patterns/
hold on there is more:
http://www.allfreesewing.com/Miscell...ewing-Patterns

DO you know her interests or hobbies? Could make something towards that. A couple smallish zippered bags. Use an eyeglass case to make an emergency sewing kit to keep in the car, or travel bags. An infinity scarf. Re-usable grocery totes. Nesting fabric boxes. A key fob. How about a Mondo bag from www.quiltsmart.com. :)

All the above ideas are great, especially the shoe bags. As far as fabric, how about the Laurel Burch ones. I love her fabrics. Be sure to show and tell.

I like the boxy bag. she sells Arbonne, which is pricy, and has 2 other businesses. She's a real go getter. Just got married so I made her placemats, towels, napkins and pot holders for her shower for all the holidays. I even made her fabric flip flops. She has so much of everything. I love that candle wreath but shipping will be prohibitive. I'll get some fancy fabric, prequilt it and make the Zipper bag. When I was embroidering caskets, I made a makeup bag for my self that had a frog on it and I wrote, Kiss Me! on it. how about that too?

I love my shoe bags especially for travel. Shoes don't get the other things dirty when they are in bags.

What about the microwave cozy for bowls?

Beach tote? In beachy colors and fabrics?

Or there was a really cute beach theme mug rug I saw somewhere....but I can't remember where.
A cute little wristlet bag?

So many great ideas! Since she lives in the south, like me, just remember that you can't ever go wrong with something monogrammed!

Oven door towels. The ones that hang over the oven handle. There are different kinds you can make. I made several that looks like a dress. The bodice part is what is fabric & lace & the skirt part is a hand towel. Every one loved them. Also the microwave bowel cozy. I sold many of these.

Use the USPS priority shipping boxes. I have to ship things to my grand kids. I always stuff those boxes for a flat rate. If you do it online you get a little break too. How about a journal cover or a fabric book cover with bookmark. I made cosmetic bags recently and the girls loved them! They were super easy and shipped cheap too.

Thanks for finding this pattern, Silk. I think I will have to make one of these for my daughter. We've given her several special make-up brushes already, so now she needs something to protect them. This looks great.

Leslie

thanks everyone, so many good ideas. I did a bunch of kitchen towels, but you can always use more. I like that idea of the oven door one. also the boxy bag, and the shoe bag.

This is a great thread, because you all have come up with such great ideas. In the past 4 yrs, I feel like I've made her everything. She does travel a lot, so the shoe bag is a good idea, and I also like the boxy bag for shoes too.

If you were getting the gift. would you like the shoe bag of shoe fabric or other fabric, and if so, what kind. Should I applique a shoe on it?? Thanks everyone for wonderful ideas.

Fabric Basket Color
 

When in doubt, ask God Almighty to help you. He designs my quilts and I sew them. He tells me what colors to use. He can do that for you also if you put your trust in Him; He'll lead you in the right direction. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Enjoy! The King's kid since 1982.

I'm in love with my shoe bags. Use them all the time. One suggestion if you make her more than 1- make them out of different prints. I've had 2 of the same print before and am always going to the wrong bag for the shoes I want. Not a tragedy. But a pain to waste time grabbing the wrong one out of your suitcase when maybe you're in a hurry.