Detail of “Holly Jolly” from Fresh and Fabulous Quilts
There are 40 days till Christmas—is your gift list feeling unmanageable? So many names… and perhaps only a few crossed through, scribbled out, or checked off. It’s not that you don’t want to make something personal and heartfelt for every person on your list. But let’s face it: good handmade gift ideas all come down to two things: what to make for a special someone, and when will you ever find the time?
Help is here: It’s Martingale’s 2012 Holiday Handmade Gift Ideas Guide to the rescue!
Below are ideas for quick Christmas gifts that you can make for most every person on your list. These special icons estimate the time it might take you to complete each project.
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An afternoon project: No sweat. Make a bunch! |
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A one-day project: A bit more of a time investment. But at the end of the day, you’re done. |
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A weekend project: Carve out a few hours and spread it over two days to get it done in plenty of time for the wrapping…and unwrapping! |
Grab your list of lucky recipients and start matching names with gifts. And because every book featured below is available as an eBook (and eBooks are FREE with your printed-book purchase), you can download the digital version of a book minutes from now and start checking names off your gift list right away. Let the inspiration begin!
Your 2012 Holiday Handmade Gift Ideas Guide
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“Patchwork Place Mats” from Sew Decorative. Customize these cool placemats to match your gift recipient’s dishes or kitchen color scheme. All you need is linen or dobby fabric, quilt batting, and 2″ x 6″ scraps for the patchwork. |
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“Charming Garden” from Fast, Flirty, and Fun. This quilt is so simple and speedy, you’ll want to keep making more—as table toppers, wall art, or even baby quilts. Dig into your precut charm squares; then add a bit of easy frayed-edge appliqué. Finished size: 31½" x 31½". Also available as an ePattern ($4.99). |
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“Griddle Cakes” from Fast, Flirty, and Fun. Feature precut Layer Cakes in this "stack, cut, switch, and stitch" design, or cut 10″ x 10″ squares from your stash. Show off a range of fun fabrics with lots of pattern and pop. Finished size: 53½" x 79″. Also available as a ePattern ($4.99). |
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“Coin Collecting” from Easy Quilts for Beginners and Beyond. Got stacks of “spare change” (a.k.a. leftover fabric strips)? Make up this super-simple throw by sewing random strips together; then cut them into strip sets and add a background fabric. Finished size: 55″ x 70″. |
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“Dinner Party Grocery Bag” from The New Handmade. Inspire your gift recipients to go green—make multiples of this roomy, versatile tote that they can use again and again! Ideal for groceries, picnics, and more, the bag’s water-resistant oilcloth lining and nylon straps make it easy to load up. Includes instructions for optional inside pockets. Also available as an ePattern ($4.99). |
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“Vintage Bouquet” from Cool Girls Quilt. Easy fusible appliqué makes this pretty quilt a snap to create for a teen, who can use it as a wall quilt, a decorative throw, or a cuddle quilt for movie night on the couch. Also available as an ePattern ($4.99). |
Your quilting friends are busy making handmade gifts—and they know you are too. Why not shower them with special gifts that spotlight your shared passion?
FESTIVE LIGHTS
Transform your friend’s sewing room into a place to party—with scissors and sewing machines, of course!—by giving these hanging lights to enjoy all year: Quilter’s Mini Spool Lights and Quilter’s Star-Block Lights.
WALL CALENDARS
Raise your hand if you want a 2012 quilt wall calendar to inspire you year ’round. Yep, that’s just about everyone—including your quilting friends.
QUILT NOTE CARDS
Handwritten notes are not a lost art! These beautiful quilt-themed note cards from Kim Diehl and Sharon Pederson are always helpful to have on hand.
See more gift ideas for quilters in Gifts.
What kinds of quick gifts have you made for the holidays? Share your holiday handmade gift ideas in the comments!
I am not the queen of quick, but I have made a couple of table runners as gifts.
—Jocelyn on November 15, 2012OOOH, I need to dig back out a few of my Martingale books. Great ideas!
—Jean on November 15, 2012Every 2 years, my husband and I make our grandsons quilts. Skipping a year allows for growth spurts. Our daughter and her husband get a quilt on the opposite years.
My very favorite gifts, I make, are for our Military, who are serving overseas. I make cookies, brownies, and small cakes. I send graham crackers, without the outside box, and pack everything in a box filled with marshmellows still in the plastic bags. The marshmellows cushion the "goodies" in transient and nothing breaks. When I started this gift-giving to friends in Viet Nam, I learned the "guys" made s’mores and roasted marshmellows around the campfires for a "taste of home."
God Bless everyone, and keep smiling,
—Lynnita Shipman on November 15, 2012Potholders! Quick gifts, and always appreciated.
I like to use flannel with a holiday print, and flannel for batting. Layer inside out, sew edge, turn, and sew edge again. "Quilt as desired."
Wall hangings and totes done as crazy quilts (assorted fabrics, trims, and findings) take a little longer, but are worth the effort.
—Lynne on November 15, 2012I am making quiet books for all my little guys. Just big enought for crayons and an activity sized coloring book, but not too bulky, because we all know they will end up in Mom’s purse.
—Angi Gilbert on November 15, 2012Thanks for the ideas. Now to find the time
—Mary on November 15, 2012I like to make tote bags for a quick gift:)
—Becky in Georgia on November 15, 2012I am making eyeglass cases. They are simple and quick and also make good gifts for the guys in your life who can be so hard to sew for!
—Claudia Brown on November 15, 2012Crayon roll for great niece, purse for niece, and rice therapy bags for all my brothers and sisters-in-law. Working on easy tied quilts for my boys.
—Jane on November 15, 2012I made 8 inch x 8 inch sewing thread holders….each pocket is from 2 1/2 inch squares….Then I made a lid for them…Each year it seems like I revamp this pattern to suit the changing needs….and am also learning to knit so socks are definitely being made…knitting and quilting have a lot in common…
—Darlene Krystal on November 16, 2012I’ve made 2 quilts for grt.grandkids and have 2 more to make for grandkids before Xmas….have treated myself to some lovely Christmas fabrics (love those sales) that will be put to use after Christmas.
—Kathy P in North Dakota on November 16, 2012For many years I was part of an online group that was interested in cross-stitch. Each year, for about 14 years, we would participate in a Christmas Ornament Exchange. It was so sad when we stopped, but our lives are busy and these things run their course.
Every year I bring out these treasures and display them on a special stand, and think with affection of the people who made them.
—Kayt on November 18, 2012That’s the beauty of a hand-made gift, something that may have only taken you a short time to make can become a real treasure to the recipient for years to come.
So far just one "quick" project finished; they seem to take me a little longer than "quick". Have a few more planned, and it might turn out that it’s a new year gift. Love the quickie patterns and download almost every freebie.
—Carol on November 19, 2012holiday cheers
carol
I have made about a dozen tea wallets, filled them with tea bags, and will give them to all my friends.
—Mary on November 20, 2012