Have you got a loved one’s birthday coming up? Or perhaps Christmas is just around the corner and you want to create a homemade Christmas gift for your friends and family members? Whatever the situation, we have come up with 5 great gift ideas that you can sew at home. Some of these will be easier to achieve with a sewing machine, but most are suitable for sewing by hand as well.
1. Colourful tote bag
A tote bag can be a great gift to give someone of any age. This present is very simple to make, only requiring the ability to sew in a straight line and limited amounts of fabric – perfect for using up offcuts.
You can easily customise this for your friend or family member by using their favourite colours or patterns. If you’re a more advanced sewer, why not think about adding useful details like pockets and zips? For extra flair, why not embroider their initials or a pattern onto the fabric using an embroidery machine.
2. Cuddly toy
This would be a great gift for a child and is very easy to make. Pick out a fun fabric – maybe use something like sherpa or fleece to make the toy extra soft and snuggly and cut out the pieces to make a little toy. The type of toy is really up to you, if you are an advanced sewer maybe try something more difficult like a dog, but if you are new to sewing try something which does not have too many parts.
3. Pretty pillowcase
A pillowcase can be a great housewarming gift for a friend or family member. Make sure you pick fabrics and colours that your friend or family member would like, and you could even elevate your pillow by adding details such as tassels to the edges. If you feel like a challenge, you could create a quilt type fabric for the outside of the pillowcase to add extra detail and cushioning, something which is easy to do on a sewing machine.
4. Pencil case or make-up bag
A small bag, which could be used as a pencil case or make-up bag, is a practical and fun gift to give. Depending on your skill level, you could add a zip to the top of the bag to make sure it closes or even different sections to keep different stationary or make-up in. If you want to go the extra mile, consider adding a waterproof lining to the bag to protect your creation from make-up spills or pen leaks!
Again, if you’re feeling adventurous, you could have a go at adding some extra embellishment with an embroidery machine.
5. Super soft sleep mask
Is there someone in your life who always needs a sleep mask to get some shut-eye? If so, this is the perfect present for them! If possible, choose a soft satin material to give the gift of the most luxurious night’s sleep.
Satin fabrics can be difficult to work with though, so if you are a beginner maybe stick to a cotton-based material or even a fleece material if they live somewhere cold. You could also combine this sleep mask with another handmade present such as a pillow case or a cuddly toy.
Sewing machines and inspiration from Franklins Group
Hopefully this list has given you some inspiration on the kind of gifts you could create for your loved ones. If you are looking to get into sewing, check out The Beginner’s Guide to Sewing and our range of sewing machines.