I'm still fairly new to quilting... I took a class this past spring semester, before that I had done some sewing but had never really quilted before. I've decided I want to try making quilted gifts for Christmas, and now that it's summer I have plenty of time on my hands. However, I'm having trouble deciding what to make. I wish I could actually make a full size quilt for everyone, but I just don't think I'm up for that just yet. I'm also on a fairly cheap budget (I'm a college student). I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for quilted gifts that are fairly simple. I also want to make something that the people I give it to will actually use, not just something that will sit around.

matching/coordinating sets of Placemats, Hot Pads and Table Runners are easy to make and always a hit when you need gifts for friends and family. you don't need acres of space to work on them, either. :wink:

You can make totes, or small purses. Tablerunners, placemats, or pot holders. The list is endless. Enjoy. Marge

Pillows, sachets, a stocking filled with candies, coasters, stuffed animals, cosmetic bags, sunglass cases, checkbook covers.

For ideas, try
www.allpeoplequilt.com

X-mas stockings (there's even kits for the beginning quilter)
Small tree skirt.

I enjoyed making xmas scene cushions (pillows), here's a couple of pictures :D

There have been some great pincushion ideas here. Check the tutorials.
Also, bookmarks, and coasters are smaller and easier to finish! :lol:

Hot pads.

Make sure they don't let the heat through.

My mom thought she was going to be smart and made some using quilted scraps with the polyester batting. Not a good idea.

Small pillows - I bought 12x16 pillows for everyone and made washable "housewife" pillowcases for the little pillows.

The "housewife" pillowcases are sort of an envelope-type affair.

Boom,

Please to into the picture section under the title "For Boomwooshblahh". I posted a picture of a little wall hanging I made. It will not take a whole lot of fabric, as it is fairly small, but it is still impressive.

I am planning on making quilted casserole dish covers. I will make small pockets & small rice pillows to put in the pockets. Heat the rice pillows for a couple of minutes & stick them in the pockets. My DH gets medication in the mail monthly that has to be refrigerated so every month we get several cold packs, I will add those to the package so they can keep their food hot or cold.
Jo

Thanks for all the great ideas guys! Now I just have to make a decision on what to make. I really like the placemat/coaster idea... might go with that. I also kinda like the purse/tote bag idea, I'm just not sure if anyone I plan on giving gifts to would actually use a quilted purse. I'll have to update y'all later on when I make a decision on what I'm doing, and what patterns I'm gonna use. Again, thanks everyone!

Look at these type of quilted gifts:




http://www.sewthankfulblog.com/?p=552



http://www.appliquequiltdesigns.com/...ot-Holder.html


http://domestikgoddess.com/funky-chicken-pin-cushions/



http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=765

I think totes and potholders are great ideas. I can never have enough of either of them.

There is always cell phone pockets and mp3 bags too. They are really cute done in today's fabrics. A little biger gift could be a lap top computer tote bag.

Amy Butler. com has some cute things there that are small projects.

And one last suggestion ... How about cute quilted head bands? You would just use some elastic around the back, or make ties on the ends, kinda like apron ties only smaller. Sew a tiny hair comb to the under side of the front so it stays in place.

How about those beautiful pincushions using old CD's. There's a tutorial somewhere, just can't recall exactly where I saw it.

I think Pittsburg Pam made one just recently and posted in pictures

Being on a budget myself I know how the costs of fabrics can overwhelm you but please consider these ideas to help. You can get used clothing to make scrappy quilts no matter what size (throw size is usually used watching tv) Old sweat shirts make great pillows especially if your friends and family have favorite teams, hobbies, or collections. If any of your friends sew you can get many ideas for pincushions. Thrift stores usually have treasures on a thin budget. I hope these ideas help.

MissTami :roll:

My Granny always made a new set of hot pads for us every Christmas. I sure do miss getting new ones, mine are getting a little worn now. I may have to take up her tradition!

Those items are A-DOR-ABLE!!!!!!!!

Izy those are cute pillows!!!

I'm tired of paying $4 to $5 for a roll of wrapping paper that barely covers my gifts. Today I needed to wrap presents for both of my grandchildren, one boy and one girl. So I couldn't use the same wrap. Rather than spend money on the store boughten wrapping paper, I decided to make pillowcases out of my stash and wrap the presents in the pillow case. It worked beautifully. I think the kids will be delighted to receive an extra gift in the pillow case. I think I will do this for everyone at Christmas.

My favors are rice bags, baked potato bags, and aprons.

boomwooshblahh,

If you like the idea of tote bags, you can try making them in a large size and call it a reuseable grocery bag. The idea is very "green" right now.

This is a good gift for a child.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-55050-1.htm

Super idea!

Last year I made a bunch of steno pad covers with my stash. Then the gal who posted the pattern also added taking a scrap of the fabrics and wrapping the inside of a pen to slide into the loops on the cover. I found the least expensive yet rather large steno pads at Wally World $1/pad. Everyone I gave these to loved them and use them for special notes. One friend writes all her net. passwords/sites in hers. Another friend lists all her Dr. phone #s and other important #s in it. She is the least organized, but this has been a real help to her. She can find the book anywhere b/c I made hers out of bright floral fabric. I don't remember the site where the tute was listed but bing it and you can find it.

Potholders for the women, are great to use up scraps.
Stockings for the kids, simple easy project.
For the quys how about those TV remote pockets that lay across the arm of a chair?