Need ideas for some favors . . .
 

My sorority is having a reunion in June. I would like to make the attendees a little favor to let them know I'm thinking of them (I can't attend). Two years ago, I made each person a mug rug. I would like to make something in the realm of quilting or some textile idea. I will need about 15-20 so I don't have much time. Any ideas?

pot holders, coasters, towels trimmed with a fabric in sorority colors, hair scrunchies,scarves, tissue covers.
show us what you do.

Purse size tissue holders are easy and cute, bookmarks, coffee cup or can cozy are a few.

How about a little boxy bag in your sorority colors? Here is one I made in our guild challenge. The tutorial is at www.kelbysews.com. Took less than an hour to make.
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Jeanne: I LOVE the little boxy bag, but I'm afraid of the zipper (it all stems from my 8th grade Home Ec teacher!). The question is, can I conquer the zipper?

I really like that idea! or a pillow case?

How about personalized luggage tags.

Love the luggage tag idea!

Yes you can do the zipper! Much easier than putting a zipper in clothing! If you a
have a zipper foot for your machine it does make it easier. Go buy one 12" zipper and give it a try with some scrap fabric.

Here's a pattern on Craftsy that is a bit different. http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/other...lanyard/121822

lavender sachets?

lanyards or key fobs?

pot holders?

ID badge holders

If you make 15 - 20 of them, you will have conquered the zipper by the end!

If you're not ready to take on the zipper, a similar bag with a snap or magnetic closure would work, or a larger tote bag (sorry, I don't have any specific one to recommend). I like potholders, because I figure everyone can use one more. Or a casserole carrier?

The luggage tag idea is great, too -- I'm putting that on my project list.

I would just keep it simple since your time is limited and make the tissue holders using the same fabric . You should have them all done in an hour or two. Really simple to make and you can get the Kleenex tissues packages in bulk at Walmart. PM me if you can't find a free pattern. Mine was on the internet years ago.

I love the idea of key fobs and they are super easy to make. Here's a link to an etsy shop that sells hardware for key fobs: https://www.etsy.com/listing/9163238...w_type=gallery

I make mine with webbing and fabric sewn on it to make it pretty, but you can make them with interfacing, fabric and ribbon.

IMHO ~ the zippers we installed (in the old days) was to have the fabric cover the zipper. So we wanted that nice 'straight' seam ... not... those were a challenge. Now the zipper is exposed... no problem of that 'wobbly' seam. You can conquer the zipper phobia. Ask me how I know :)

Good luck :)

How about coasters for drinking glasses in the sorority colors? My friend made me some and I use them all of the time.

How about a quilted Christmas tree decoration with a date on it?

http://i0.wp.com/sewing.craftgossip....rickoozies.jpg These are sew fun to make FAST AND EASY! Bottle wrappers with velcro closures. Everyone will want one. You could use cute quilty fabrics too. All it takes 2 pcs of fabric 10" x 4 1/2" and 1 pc of fusible batting the same size. Also cut a pc of velcro 4". simple and fun!!

Jenny Doan has a video for a zippered pouch.

www.kelbysews.com


This website won't work for me is it correct?

Yes! You CAN do that zipper, trust me, I was scared of the zipper deal too, but I made 2 of the boxy bags like Jeanne S above, they are sooooo easy, love them!!!! But, she says get a 12 inch zipper, I'm thinking at least a 14 inch because the fabric is cut to 13.5, and I think it says to have at least that long or longer? Just went and got me some more zippers, I loved making these, got a sewing apron for christmas with spools on it, soo cute, but I'll probably never wear it, so thinking about cutting it and making one of these bags to bring my hexies "on the go" kit!

Kelby sews site
 

I put in kelby sews boxy bag tutorial in Google search and found this
http://kelbysews.blogspot.com/2014/0...-tutorial.html

Microwave bowl holders. I have made & sold many of these & are fast & easy to make.

the small quilted boxes are great, and you could put in something quilty, or even some candies

Thanks for posting the correct link to the boxy bag tutorial, Sewbeeit42! One of these days I will learn how to do links!

and Latrinka, the 12" zipper worked perfect for me--the zipper tape on a 12" zipper measures 13 1/2" which matched up perfectly to the cut dimensions of the fabric and this way you don't have to sew over the teeth of the zipper and possibly break a machine needle. But if you have longer zippers on hand I have seen other tutorials that sew the side seams right over the teeth of the zipper and cut off the excess length. So either one would probably work.

A braided belt made with strips from an old tee shirt, or a beaded neck scarf with same material. Just cut across tee shirt with no side seams , stretch out, gather together several strips, wind a rubbery band round the strips and braid to desired length wind thread or yarn round both ends and tie or twist through braid. An oversized button, buckle or vintage brooch is a nice touch.

Oh, ok. I borrowed some zippers from a neighbor, and they were like 20 and 22 inch I think, but I had read where you can sew over the nylon ones, and just cut excess off. Was a little nervous doing this, but just went slow, and it worked fine. Glad to know that 12 inch would really be the right size for this, just bought 2 14 inch at joanns day before yesterday, but oh well! Can still use them at least. Wish I could post photos of the two I made, they came out really cute I think.

Thanks for the link I will definitely be making a few of these.

Check the Pellon website. They have a lot of patterns / tutorials for small gifty items. There is a pattern for a spiral notebook cover with a zippered pencil pocket included. My daughter, who did very little sewing, made several of these.

Also, check the free patterns at Craftsy.

Here is the website for the key fob - http://ellisonlane.com/2014/05/key-fob-tutorial.html It also gives the Etsy link for the key fob hardware.

These are quick and easy wine glass coasters - http://weallsew.com/2013/10/30/betty...lippercoaster/

For Sewers/Quilters, you could make stilettos. I found these skewers at Amazon.com http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/...stilettos.html

And these are cute little birdie pincushions - http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/cut...little-birdie/

Someone already suggested tissue holders. How about microwave bowl holders or luggage tags.

How about quilted name tags,
 

How about quilted name tags with sorority emblems/colors and/or school mascots/colors. If you don't have names, provide a blank space and a permanent marker to write their names/nicknames/married names, etc.

Book marks are always nice.

wow, you got a lot of great ideas. please show us what you decide upon. also would love pictures too.

Here's what I decided on. I'm leaving the points up rather than folding them down and securing with a button.

very cute ,,,good idea

Love, love, love your fabric choices! Great gift choice, so usable-hope you're planning on including a chatty note you duplicate and put in each gift box, so they'll have your news as well as your gift. You're a great sorority sister!

How pretty! You did great on your gifts. They look a little like tulips.

This might seam silly in light of all tge fantastic ideas, but for my recent wedding, we made little stuffed hearts and hot glued a small disc shaped magnet to it. I left edges raw as I liked the look and since the hole used to stuff it was in the center of one side, closing/sealing it with the glue and magnet worked great!