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?

I keep meaning to make a Japanese style apron like this theheartyhome.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-japanese-style-apron-tutorial.html

I like the idea of no ties.

A gym/swimming/trainers bag for men (and women) with a logo that is special to them, or their initials/nickname on it.

A BBQ Apron for men. Pencil case for students (personalised).

A cushion blanket - where the blanket folds away into the cushion cover, much like the shopping bags.

Tie dying is supposed to be back in style now, so some tie dyed shorts or t-shirt for the teenager.

I would never use a hand sewn phone case, as it simply wouldn't give any protection from knocks, is a pain to take the phone out of when it rings and no space to put my cards. It's the same for my tablet case, I spent a lot of my money on my tablet and want it to be properly protected.

Similarly glasses cases have no protection when I stick my glasses in my bag.

I would go for nicely embroidered fabric bags (plain cotton ones are really cheap on Amazon) or the heat bags.

Cosmetic bags, toiletry bags, and pencil cases are the only other things I would see going well.

(I crochet and know how much work goes into crafts, and also how gutting it can be if your gift is not appreciated)

I would like one of the Japanese aprons suggested by soupdragon

I meant to say below Flitwit that I also favour English paper piecing technique . I really like the link you posted because it's a modern take on patchwork which can otherwise be a bit folksy to fit in with contemporary decor etc.

And yes Flitwit and Soupdragon those aprons are fab. Good for gardening (in a heavier fabric) as well as for cooking I reckon!

Thanks for your thoughts Gingerkittykat. I understand what you are saying, but when I have made phone cases and lap top cases before, they have always had as much padding and stabiliser in them as a bought version. I totally agree about all the work going in to crafts though! They may be personal and economical , but you certainly have to put in long hours!

PrincessDanae I like the idea of personalised training bags and pencils cases, thank you and I'm off to google cushion blankets - never heard of them - but sound interesting!

Oohhh PrincessDanae is a "quillow" the same thing?

Soupdragon similar bag which teens might like? What do you think? [My German is a bit sketchy! ]

I think the phone/laptop thing is tricky because everyone has different kit and one phone cover doesn't fit all. TBH I also agree about not wanting homemade covers for valuable electronics or glasses, I want proper protection.

I'd like big canvas bags, love that Japanese apron, make-up bags and pencilcases. I also like the idea of a tissue case, those little plastic packs come apart in my bag.

Thanks Expletive I've only made phone and tablet cases for specific brands that family members own (with lots of padding and stiffener!) ifyswim but I understand people may prefer plastic hard covers etc.
It's really interesting to hear which suggestions are the most popular though so thank you!

You could make the men toiletry bags too. Seat cushion for home office chair?

One of these?

What I would really really love is lots of draw string bags with proper reinforced seams in lovkey fabric in a variety of sizes for travelling/storing stuff/taking things out. Nice hard wearing ribbon draw strings. This is my mum’s first job for me when she retires!

I think the other thing with electronic is that even if homemade covers are made to a high standard of protection, for anything I'm taking to work I want it to look professional rather than pretty IYSWIM. So it would have to be plain and in neutral colours that wouldn't show the dirt.

However for my canvas bags, which I use for craft projects, allotment etc I like pretty fabrics.

How about soup bowl cosies for the microwave. Loads of patterns in Pinterest.

The Liberty sewing book has a fantastic pattern for a foldable shopping bag with a pouch on a lobster clip, it does use Tana Lawn though, which is probably much lighter weight than the fabric you have.

Have you ever looked at the Purl Bee blog? Absolutely stunning projects for sewing, quilting, knitting and crochet. They tend to use very expensive materials from the Purl Soho shop / website but I generally substitute for what I can afford.

we got nice oven gloves and tulip shaped egg warmers from a relative.

Drawstring bags always go down well because you can use them for all manner of things. Also, super easy to make.

Shopping bags for me - I much prefer ones I can stick in the wash rather than the plasticy or fibre ones DH always buys from Tesco. I have some with long straps but would like some with short handles to carry like a normal shopping bag without it dragging on the floor.

I think the présents that went down the best were oven gloves, followed closely by a beach size bag.

That's very true Expletive you don't necessarily want to give off a Cath Kidston vibe if you are working in some very corporate or techie office!

Freebuttonbee I have a very good pattern for the bags you describe if you are interested (and if I can find it on-line)! The bags are lined, very strong, and the fold of the fabric is at the bottom of the bag, so very sturdy too! I've made lots of them for dc for swim , gym and storage bags over the years! Still making them as laundry bags for us now too!

I like the office chair idea as it is a bit out of the ordinary, thank you MrsKrabapple!

I've always been tempted by that Liberty book Sinkgirl and you are not the first to recommend a pattern from it, so I may be tempted yet!
I don't know Purlbee blog, thanks I 'll have a look ... .

Archbishop thanks , think I would be tempted if I was a knitter!

oh, and I also got ipad sleeves which get good use!

Fantastic, can't keep up!

Thank you for all the v helpful suggestions Craftywoman Greenelephantscarf and Frenchfancy !

eBayschmeBay I like being able to wash the shopping bags too! Quite a few people seem to like them, so I think I will definitely make one or two!

I'd like a wrap to hold my crochet hooks in.

Also, I'm not sure how you would describe it really, but I have a fabric pot on my dressing table, it's a sort of flattish shape, stiff, a bit like an expanded envelope, I keep my nail bits in it, files, buffer, topcoat etc.

Oh I love that Japanese style apron, unfortunately my sewing machine hasn’t seen the light of day since my twins were born! Barely get to knit or crochet any more either.

The Liberty book has some gorgeous patterns in it, definitely worth a look

If you happen to have any wool felt, there’s an amazing pattern on Purl Bee for felt petal cushions that I absolutely love.

Sewing and small people are a difficult combination SinkGirl! Will investigate those cushions ... !

Yes I know exactly what you mean Expletive; those sorts of holders are really useful. I can't find the one I was thinking of but [[
haberdasheryfun.com/fabric/diy-a-frame-organizer this is an alternative]].

And yy to crochet hook and knitting needle holders!

Sorry will try again

haberdasheryfun.com/fabric/diy-a-frame-organizerhaberdasheryfun.com/fabric/diy-a-frame-organizer