Xmas gifts.
 

Just wondered who is making Xmas gifts and what are you making? Need ideas.

So do I. What is new this year???

There was a similar post not too long ago...i'll add here...then i will DEFINITELY be back, cuz i sure am looking for ideas too. So far i am making
Neck coolers, kleenex holders and box covers, placemats, pot holders, hot pads, grocery bag holders, dish towel toppers, door mice, key rings, stockings and ornaments.
I'm trying to work out a pattern for something i saw in the ABC catalog - a stand up glasses holder....i know a couple people who wear readers like i do, and it would be nice to have a holder in the kitchen or bedroom to put them so i'm not hunting them all the time.
Anyway...can't wait for some new ideas from the Board.

So far I have made 6 sets of quilted hot pads, a casserole carrier, a triangle standup caddy, and did embroidery on kitchen towels. We always make cold process soap. Need to get started on that.

OH MY....ok...maybe you already knew about this, but i just visited another thread where they were sharing about Chalkboard Fabric....i had never even heard of this - but have already gone to Nancy's Notions and ordered a yard. Will be making "memo boards" with quilted borders for the grandkids and family. LOVE THIS BOARD !!!

I have 4 tree skirts in the works (1 is for me) and maybe 1 more tree skirt too. I was also considering Christmas table runners and placemats with the leftover fabrics.

Last year I made some Microwave Bowl Holders -- easy and useful. I'd love new ideas, too!

Hubby and I were talking about this and he thinks that a little traveling sewing kit would be great for his sisters since they all travel so much. I think I will use my embroidery on my machine to decorate them. I want to put in all of the things to make it functional, just grab and go.

I'm kicking around the idea of making some bed runners in Christmas novelty fabrics. That way easy to store after and gives the bedrooms, back of the couch etc some cheer

BJgallent...can you please tell us what "triangle stand up caddies" are??

Don't forget easy rice bags! I like to make a muslin cover and then a sleeve that is removable so it can be washed. You can quilt the removable cover or just piece it for an interesting design.

Here's a link to the previous thread about Christmas sewing.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t250585.html

what are door mice? how is Cold process soap made?

I've made sets of crocheted wash/dish cloths. (about 50 so far)
pillowcases, place mats and soap bags.
Soap bags are crocheted, you make a bag and put the soap in and tie it shut.

I'll be watching this thread for more ideas.

also made 2 quilts in January for Christmas.

I am making some reusable shopping bags and reusable mesh produce bags to give as gifts to replace using plastic bags.

Do you have a link/pattern for that? That might be the perfect gift this year... :)

I do not know where this idea came from but I have made three totes using a large bird seed bag and a dog food bag. They are very sturdy, plastic coated with heavy thread running thru them. Cut the top off for straps, cut the bottom straight off and sq it up, turn the top down for a hem add handles and viola you have a sturdy tote, Its called recycling.

I like to make shoe bags for traveling. There is a lot of cute shoe theme fabric out there. And banners that welcome 2015.
I'm surprised that no one seems to make New Year's fabric, but there is other cute stuff!

And sets of cloth napkins, dinner size or cocktail.

my daughter was here today and admired my grocery bag holder... she said she wants one for christmas.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...r-t251460.html

Cathy77,
I use two patterns, Simplicity 2352 and Simplicity 2806. I have made a ton from these patterns, easy to do and with fun print fabrics they come out really cute. An important thing is to have a sturdy bottom so they don't sag, I use foam core board covered with fabric. There was a thread on this board a couple of days ago with a title about 'saggy purse bottoms" or something like that which had some great ideas for the bottoms. As for the produce bags, I just made various sizes of square bags with a simple draw-string top. I bought the white utility mesh fabric at JoAnn's, it is the same kind with large weave holes used in laundry bags, etc. It is nylon and washable. I bought some brightly colored cord for them in hot pink and lime green, and made about 3 different sizes. You just need something that is open and 'see-through' enough for the store checkout person to be able to read the produce code stickers through them. Every time I go to the grocery store at least 2 or 3 people asks me where I got the produce bags!

I like to make small handmade items for my grown children's stockings. Last year I made crocheted pot holders in varigated Christmas colors. This year I'm thinking rice bags, grocery bag holders or those cute fabric boxes like in the BOM section(early in the year). Haven't quite decided yet, but better get going!

I'm hoping to get some dishcloths embroidered this year too.
I've made washcloths, just need to get soap for some of them, like my dh's boss,
she loves handmade items from me. I'm running out of ideas for her.
I'll make a shoe bag for my cousin, she travels alot for work.

Hi all,
The first Christmas I had my machine I made Christmas card holders for everyone. For the next Christmas I made Christmas cushions which get trotted out each year (quite happily). This year I'm making some advent calanders which are very popular in in Australia although these will be given on Dec. 1.

I have to say I love Christmas fabrics and I'm hoping to make some more wall quilts to compensate for the fact that I have nowhere to put a Christmas tree. I'd love to see photos of what others have done though.

I've completed 3 Christmas presents: bed quilts for grands and a crazy quilt for DH (who is wild about it). The crazy quilt took Best Handwork last week. Picture later. I am planning a purse and table topper for friends. I have a very complex lap quilt begun for my DDiL. For another friend I am working on a wall hanging of St Francis' Vision. I started that about 1 1/2 years ago before I got really sick for about a year. Probably potholders and placemats for others. Unfortunately, I have lost enough family and friends that the gift giving is somewhat limited. I have 4 quilts ready to be given to kids in out of home placement and older adults living in low income housing. Most years, I have my Christmas work done by August, so I feel WAY behind. I got the blocks finished for a scrappy quilt today. I have designed a stars and stripes QOV that I hope to get to fairly soon. I know we have many veterans in need of them in my small community. A few years back, I donated some quilts to be given out carefully at the soup kitchen to people in real need of them. One went to a legless Nam vet to keep his stumps warm. He said the horse I'd appliqued on it reminded him of the horse he'd left behind. DH and I got all teary over hearing that.

How do you make Christmas card holders, think they would be great to have.

This year I am thinking of making a wrapping paper bag. It will be a long tube for holding wrapping paper with side pockets for tags, ribbons, tape and scissors. Haven't a pattern so am going to wing it.

I love making these cute Christmas Tree baubles - here is a YouTube link :-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00fIGg7MNJ8

Thanks for all other ideas !

I have cut out twelve thread catchers to make for members of my bee. The pattern was on Quilting Forum.

Thanks Jeanne! :thumbup: I'll look into this!

Wow! You're even more organised than I am! I usually don't start planning before October (but I haven't given any quilts either, so my presents are less time-consuming)

Have you checked out ideas on Pinterest ? lots of ideas there..:

http://www.pinterest.com/explore/chr...wing-projects/

I am making car trash bags for my nieces, a Bible cover for my brother, a casserole carrier for his wife, tote bags for my sister and nice that fit an ipad nicely. In the past, I have done place mats, grocery bags, table runners. Oh and I am making a checkerboard for a friend's son and making the checkers out of medicine bottle caps.

Have you ever made "humbug" bags? Nice to hang on my light by my sewing chair and nice for travel.

My daughter asked for "cord keepers. She has to keep several with her at all times. https://www.google.com/search?q=quil...2F%3B315%3B214
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Will be making some kids quilts for the grands! Easy ones!

Cute and with the device name no less!

Sewing kit
 

Here's a sewing kit I made for my DIL. Have another in the works. My machine doesn't embroider, and I am having vision issues, so I can't embroider right now....the wool felt was the perfect answer! :)

I was happy when I decided to make pj's bottoms for everyone. Hoping to use some of my storage. After reading this and all the wonderful ideas I am rethinking this.

I am making a quilt for the youngest grand daughter. It has blocks a friend sent which have the letters of the alphabet;cute! I am making an Ice Cream C one Border, which takes almost 200 I. cr. cones. After that I hope to get back to a quilt I started a year ago.
The rest of the grandkids have a quilt I made for them. It won't be but couple of years I will start a quilt for the grandson graduation from h.s.
Mariah

I making a queen size quilt for my daughter and her DH. gave them throw last year and this year I am making "Delightful Stars" by Michele Foster. Just started it so have lots to catch up on.

20 minute caddy
 

The pattern is 20 Minute Caddy DWD259 by Connie Spurlock.

Pattern is 20 Minute Caddy SWD259 by Connie Spurlock. There is a picture further down. I tried to put it here but did not work.