Handmade Holiday Project Roundup

If you have ordered anything online in the last year and a half or so, you’re well aware of how the pandemic has contributed to some pretty incredible shipping delays. Every year I mean to make more gifts anyway, so I’m going to use this year’s shipping woes as the perfect excuse to finally make most of my Christmas gifts for friends and family!

That does mean I need to get started… yesterday. So I’ve been searching through my past projects, other sewing blogs, and Instagram for ideas. I thought it could be fun to do a little project round-up for some simple suggestions in case you’re planning to give handmade gifts this year too and need some hints!

Bags and Pouches can be filled with goodies as a really fun and easy gift. I like to add my person’s favorite treats, maybe some chapstick or lotion, or even some sewing notions if they also like to sew. I may be a little biased but I recommend my Basic Pouch and PB+J Pouch patterns.

Mini Quilts are a quick finish - and you can easily turn them into pillow covers or wall hangings which both make great gifts. A perfect place to start is Alderwood Studio’s Modern Makes digital membership (and if it’s not open when you’re reading this, be sure to sign up for the waiting list and you’ll be the first to know when sign-ups reopen)! You can even make my Reef Quilt pattern I designed exclusively for Modern Makes!

Oven Mitts or Potholders can be such useful gifts and I know mine get so worn out but I do not tend to replace them nearly enough. I used this pattern by The Spruce Crafts to make the one pictured below. Use Insulbrite to make them protective against heat.

Hanging Towels are so practical and you can easily add some personality to them to brighten your kitchen right up! I have used and liked this tutorial, Make an Easy Hanging Kitchen Towel, by Vanessa of the Crafty Gemini. We also have some beautiful yarn dyed wovens from Ruby Star Society here that would be great for toweling (look for Linework Heavyweight, Chorecoat, and Woven Texture Stripe).

Cozy Pajama Pants — can we ever have enough of these? (Especially right now!) Here’s a FREE pattern from Patterns for Pirates: Walk the Plank PJ Bottoms. There’s a kids’ version too - find it here. I made some of these for my kids years ago. I think they’d be cute in some holiday prints as Christmas Eve PJs! We have these adorably festive prints from Cotton + Steel in the shop right now! I personally recommend the Little Deer on brushed twill which is super soft (it reminds me of flannel)!

Baskets are something I love to use around my home and especially in my sewing spaces. I have used this tutorial by Mister Domestic: How to Sew a Rope Bowl, and made a few rope bowls to keep my notions organized. I also have the Tub Family baskets by Rosie Taylor Crafts on my “want to make” list this holiday season!

Tell me in the comments what your handmade gift plans are this holiday season!! And if you make any of these ideas or use fabrics from our shop for your projects, I’d love to see - just tag me on IG @greatheronthreadco!