frustraited!
12-03-2010, 07:56 PM
#71
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Some where in way out West Texas
Posts: 3,041
Originally Posted by starlite
Help... I am getting further behind making gifts for christmas! 1st I got a bad cold 2nd I tore some tendons and ligaments in my foot 3rd my dh has to have surgry. I feel like a sinking ship! Any ideas for some quicker items to make? I have to sew for 9 count them 9 grands 4 girls & 5 boys all under 11 yrs. I am brain fogged! Any words of wisdom for the weary....Guess I needed to unload thanks for being here! Jan
12-03-2010, 09:21 PM
#72
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Cheshire, Massachusetts
Posts: 838
If all your recipients live up there in the cold near you, you might want to make fleece hats and matching neckwarmers. 5/8 yard will make a matched set since the fleece is usually well over 45 inches wide.
I cut rectangles of fleece about 20 inches by 20 inches. Fold in half right sides together and stitch along the stretchier edge (fleece stretches more in one directions than the other) about a half inch seam allowance, stretching slightly as you sew. This is the edge that will have to stretch to slip over the head. The seam will probably come out crooked and ugly, but fleece is very forgiving, and it won't show once you turn it.
Turn the tube right side out. Match up the seams right sides together and pin the single edges together as far around as you can manage. It gets a little awkward here as you end up working inside the tube . Try to stitch as much of the edges together as you can. You won't be able to sew the complete edge. The remaining opening will have to be hand stitched from the outside.
You can manipulate this ring of fabric placing the stretchy seam anywhere inside the ring so that the design shows the way you want it on the hat or leave the stretchy seam on what will be the top edge. To complete the hat you will need to hand stitch the top edge shut. You can simply stitch straight across resulting in two points, or fold and pin it to make 4 or 6 points, or even gather the top and sew on a pom pom or fringe if you desire.
Kids have remarkably big heads for their body size compared to adults, so the 20 inch size will work for most of them. Some adults might need you to cut the fleece an inch or two longer than 20 inches so the hat is not tight and popping off the head. These hats are just long enough to pull well down over the ears or to fold a brim. The neck warmers can be anywhere from 8-10 inches wide and still pull up nicely to cover the chin and nose.
If anyone can't make heads or tails of these instructions I can try to put up some pictures of the process.
I cut rectangles of fleece about 20 inches by 20 inches. Fold in half right sides together and stitch along the stretchier edge (fleece stretches more in one directions than the other) about a half inch seam allowance, stretching slightly as you sew. This is the edge that will have to stretch to slip over the head. The seam will probably come out crooked and ugly, but fleece is very forgiving, and it won't show once you turn it.
Turn the tube right side out. Match up the seams right sides together and pin the single edges together as far around as you can manage. It gets a little awkward here as you end up working inside the tube . Try to stitch as much of the edges together as you can. You won't be able to sew the complete edge. The remaining opening will have to be hand stitched from the outside.
You can manipulate this ring of fabric placing the stretchy seam anywhere inside the ring so that the design shows the way you want it on the hat or leave the stretchy seam on what will be the top edge. To complete the hat you will need to hand stitch the top edge shut. You can simply stitch straight across resulting in two points, or fold and pin it to make 4 or 6 points, or even gather the top and sew on a pom pom or fringe if you desire.
Kids have remarkably big heads for their body size compared to adults, so the 20 inch size will work for most of them. Some adults might need you to cut the fleece an inch or two longer than 20 inches so the hat is not tight and popping off the head. These hats are just long enough to pull well down over the ears or to fold a brim. The neck warmers can be anywhere from 8-10 inches wide and still pull up nicely to cover the chin and nose.
If anyone can't make heads or tails of these instructions I can try to put up some pictures of the process.
12-03-2010, 09:45 PM
#74
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MA
Posts: 1,507
Originally Posted by knittersue
hi I have the same problem I have 13 grand kids I am making them there own rice packs they love them .I buy fun fabric and make the sack put white rice in. sew it up and there you have it the kids or parent put them in the microwave for 2 minutes and now they can be nice and warm.mygrand kids love taking them to bed I love them for neck ach or leg cramps give it a try if you need measurements let me know have a good day
12-03-2010, 09:47 PM
#75
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MA
Posts: 1,507
Originally Posted by patdesign
Originally Posted by Up North
How about little wallets with a couple dollars tucked in them. There are a lot of simple patterns if you do a google search. The little kids think they are in heaven to have a grown up wallet with money in it. I made my grandaughter a simple little purse no pattern and filled it with things from the dollar tree. Pretend cell phone, little makeup mirror, lip gloss.
12-03-2010, 09:55 PM
#76
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 278
I was in the same situation.. I decided to stop stressing and found that link someone mentioned on page 1 "tube pillowcase"... I made them all pillow cases that matched thier future quilts (that I'll finish after christmas) I got them all done in one day and they turned out really sweet looking..
My god daughter(16 yrs) who lives next door seen them and came home today clutching a yard of fabric(sexy shirtless guys wearing santa hats rofl)begging me to make her a pillowcase..How can I resist, too funny
My god daughter(16 yrs) who lives next door seen them and came home today clutching a yard of fabric(sexy shirtless guys wearing santa hats rofl)begging me to make her a pillowcase..How can I resist, too funny
12-04-2010, 01:04 AM
#79
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Jackson, MS
Posts: 184
All of my grandparents are deceased now but I remember when I was younger spending time sewing or "helping" my grandmothers sew. I would give anything to be able to do that today. Give them a card with a coupon for one on one time with you sewing something they then can take home. It will be a present they will remember their whole life. I still have a teddy bear I helped make. I really spent time with my grandma while she made it but I love that bear with all my heart 35 years later.
12-04-2010, 06:54 AM
#80
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Charlotte, Michigan
Posts: 420
Originally Posted by chance
Heres a link for some cute Elf Slippers which you can probably mass produce pretty quick. Hope you like.
http://mayamade.blogspot.com/2009/01...-tutorial.html
http://mayamade.blogspot.com/2009/01...-tutorial.html
