Original ideas for home sewn presents people will actually like!

[Lilacspider]

I've been thinking about making home sewn presents for family and friends this Christmas because I have a stack of really nice unused fabric (mainly cotton) and it would be good to give them something personal and different, possibly eco-friendly (depending on what I make) and will hopefully save a bit of money too.

I have 5 women, 3 men and three (female) teens to "create" for, so need to start early!

I will be making phone cases (on lanyards) for the men.

Possibly padded iPad or lap-top cases or cosmetic bags for the teen girls.

I thought I might make www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DT0f3NhnMUh0&ved=2ahUKEwjRmpT6ouPhAhXFPFAKHXvMAM0QtwIwAHoECAYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1hPErMDn8Kl9QYEV_7Oq8K these eco shopping bags that fold up in to a pouch for all the women.

The only thing is, especially with the bags, it seems a lot of work for something so "impersonal" they can buy for a couple of quid at the check out! (Not sure!)

Does anyone else have any other more interesting ideas for presents (preferably eco-themed but not necessarily) that they would like? In other words, what would you like to receive?

[FiremanKing]

Martha Stewart has lots of ideas

www.marthastewart.com/1133562/how-to-sew-simple-sleep-mask

[FiremanKing]

Make up or toilets bags

www.marthastewart.com/1078656/zippered-pouches

[FiremanKing]

Toiletries ^

[FiremanKing]

If anyone reads paper books

www.marthastewart.com/1535005/sashiko-bookmark

[Lilacspider]

Ooh I like those pouches FiremanKing thanks!

[FiremanKing]

Infinity scarf

www.marthastewart.com/1123504/how-make-infinity-scarf

[FiremanKing]

Great for fat quarters or remnants

www.marthastewart.com/1535259/scrunchie

[Phizpop]

I made tissue holders one year, like the mini packets but can be reloaded with box tissues rather than buying the single packets.
Made an apron one year. Or not sewing but crafty with fabric, made a decorative notice board with ribbon/elastic across it.
The reusable bag was tricky and not as compact as id hoped.
Could look at cotton face wipes that can be washed (to replace cotton wool pads)
Or very thin bags for vegetables at the supermarket, or sandwich wraps (choose cotton and melt beeswax over them) these are on on my to do list...!

[Lilacspider]

That's an inspired idea, thank you again Fireman Funnily enough, one of my sisters was saying she really liked them as she was bad at tying scarves! It's a nice personal present too! I'll have to look in my stash to see if I have any fabric that suits her in particular. Excited now!

[FiremanKing]

www.marthastewart.com/1063573/tentacular-dahlia-fabric-flowers

[Lilacspider]

Sorry xpost with you there Fireman I was raving about the infinity scarf idea below! And scrunchies could be good too!

[SoupDragon]

I'm not convinced the phone cases would get used. Men are bloody difficult to make things for I think! Especially sewn items (eg you can knit a hat or scarf and have a good chance of it being used)

I'm not sure what I'd make for the men in my life. I once made my dad a camera lense cap case to put on his camera strap as he was always losing the lense cap but that's only a good thing if they have a "proper" camera!

[flitwit99]

Pencil case? Glasses case? Cushion for the sofa? You could personalise them. I enjoy English paper piecing as a way of quilting, you could quilt a picture onto each cushion. It's much easier than it looks.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.pinterest.com/amp/pin/52495151883496018/

Or a shopping bag. I never have enough reusable shopping bags.

I'm not sure any of the men in my life would wear their phones round their necks though, are you sure about that one?

[Lilacspider]

That's given me alot to think about Phizpop thank you!

I agree men are bloody difficult Soupdragon !

[SoupDragon]

This is just something I've made up so there is no pattern, but what about a pouch for a battery pack with separate space for the cable? Of course you would need to buy a battery pack or know what they have already.

[FiremanKing]

www.sewcanshe.com/blog/2014/12/16/diy-heating-pad-for-shoulders-and-neck

[FiremanKing]

www.sewcanshe.com/blog/2014/12/26/fold-and-stitch-wallet-20-new-tutorial

[MouseTheDog]

I think for men maybe a drawstring pouch for sunglasses/reading glasses would be good? Actually that would be good for women too. I actually like the shopping bag idea as I don’t use much in the way of toiletries. Or a little coin purse for change.

[Isadora2007]

I wouldn’t do the phone cases either- sorry.

I would use a reusable bag and reusable wipes. I would also love it if someone made me beeswax food wraps or sandwich bags. Bunting for children’s rooms are lovely, as are small patchwork cushions. Or smaller gifts like scented cushions for in your drawers? Can’t recall the name of them...

[Lilacspider]

Phizpop I must admit I had the same concern re: the fold-up shopping bags btw, even with enclosed seams.

Flitwit my DH wears his phone on a lanyard because he's always dashing about and very forgetful! It's stretching it for my nephew though I must admit; maybe a travel document case would be better? Thanks for the link; it looks fascinating!

[WinterHeatWave]

I like Isadora's suggestions. I was also thinking the blankets which were hand made (crochetted) for my babies are still in use - and we are getting close to leaving primary school. So maybe a patchwork quilt if you want a big project!
My kids have used some aprons that were made for them. So apron if people wear them in the kitchen (I dont)

[SoupDragon]

I've made lots of bags similar to this:

thetiptoefairy.com/make-an-origami-bag-for-the-best-moms-day-ever/

I've made them with 3 squares as per this version (6 as I think it's reversible actually) but also from 2 tea towels. In fact I've just used my tea towel market bags in Waitrose 😂look good with contrasting panels.

[Parly]

My daughter stitches and makes dog beds and even horse / stable blankets from old clothing of ours no longer worn or ripped and unable to donate to charity.

She made two brilliant dog blankets for our two using her old dresses / t-shirts and because they smell of her the dogs instantly balled up and went flat out fast asleep.

Also made use of old duvets by covering them in old quilted blankets for the horses as cosy stable rugs.

Unfortunately I haven't any photos to share at min but if I can find some I'll share.

[Lilacspider]

FiremanKing that heat pad has made me think of a neck pillow for plane flights! Although again, I may be straying in to "what I can make territory" rather than "what they would actually like"!

I really like those ideas, thank you Isadora and Mousethedog! As Soupdragon suggested, a pouch to keep cabling and batteries together would be great, although knowing my DH, he'd probably lose the pouch too!

Old-fashioned scented drawer cushions sound very appealing. I'll look in to the materials needed for food wrap etc too. I'm trying to get rid of cling film so I'd be interested to know for myself.

Thanks for all the great ideas!

[Lilacspider]

Your daughter sounds v talented Parly! Unfortunately, we are the only people in the family with lanimals! Really great ideas though (especially with the comforting smell built in!)

I already have a couple of patchwork quilts on the go Winterheatwave. Whether they will be finished for Christmas is debatable seeing as I started them two years ago . Cushions might work though but only if they fit in with existing decor.
There are quite a few enthusiastic cooks in my family so aprons could be good!