The festive season is approaching and you are thinking of sewing your Christmas presents but you have no inspiration? Well, here is a list of 5 free online tutorials to make your presents and which will certainly make a statement.
Some of these tutorials require really little fabric, so they are a great way to use your scrap fabric and the majority of these projects are quick to make and accessible to beginners or confirmed beginners.
A few years ago, when I started sewing, I myself sew a lot of my Christmas presents. Among these were gym bags, reusable makeup remover pads and some heating pillows.
Who is your handmade present for?
Before starting sewing your presents, you have to consider who you are offering a handmade present. Not everyone values and understands the time spent behind a handmade project. It would be a pity to put time and energy in making it and be disappointed by the reaction of the person. Therefore, choose carefully who will appreciate it!
Be organized
Sewing your own projects requires that you list the material you need, take the time to buy it and take into account the time that will be needed to sew your presents. You may only have your weekends or evenings free, so make the most of it by being organized in advance.
Be careful about sewing clothes
If you want to offer sewn clothes, you should better be sure of the size or measurements of the recipient. As when buying clothes for someone else, sewing a garment to offer can be a bit risky. It is not uncommon that when sewing for ourselves, we have to make some pattern adjustments and sew a draft. If the adjustments have not been done before, we may have to do them afterwards. Therefore, sewing for yourself is not straightforward, so is it when sewing for someone else. You might spend a lot of time, put a lot of energy and love but the garment might end too small or too big.
Right, let’s get started with our inspirations now that you considered the people who will receive your gifts!
1-Cushion covers
A simple but yet very impactful item is a cushion cover. Who does not like cushions? It’s currently really trendy to decorate a room with pillows, and depending on the fabric you choose, it brings color and originality.
This tutorial from Treasurie is accessible to beginners and allows you to sew a cushion in one piece of fabric and in a very little time: https://blog.treasurie.com/how-to-make-cushion-covers-envelope/
A video comes with the tutorial which makes it easier to understand.
2-Make up removal pads:
What about sewing reusable makeup remover pads? They are quick to sew and mainly sustainable and economical. We would recommend to use organic cotton if possible, and instead of flannel, as in the tutorial of Happiest Camper, we suggest to use bamboo toweling for the part in contact with your face as it is less abrasive for the skin.
3-Toiletry bag:
Who doesn’t need a toiletry bag for holidays, the gym or simply to use at home to put make up or beauty products in it? Depending on your fabric choice, you can either sew one for a man or a woman. Sewing a zipper might be impressing at first if you have never done it before, but with the right presser foot, it should be fine.
Stefanie Goldsmith’s video tutorial will guide you through the steps.
I also liked this tutorial of Wunderlabel to make a flat make-up bag. It seems really simple and the fabric you choose can totally make a statement: what about some African wax fabric or lovely geometrical prints? https://wunderlabel.com/blog/p/zipper-pouch-tutorial-how-to-sew-a-makeup-bag/
4-Tote bag
A tote bag was the first item I sew when I was offered my sewing machine. Tote bags are great for beginners. It is pretty much rectangles sewn together. You can make it more original if you sew two different fabrics, or add colorful handles for instance. Canvas is a great fabric to use for tote bags as it gives it sturdiness. But you can also use a thinner cotton to make it.
Melanie Ham’s tutorial: https://melaniekham.com/how-to-sew-a-tote-bag-learn-to-sew-series/
Follow along the steps on the video:
5-Scrunchies
Scrunchies are always cute and useful. Choose a lovely patterned fabric like flowers, dots or English embroidery. It doesn’t require much fabric. Offer them by a bundle of three, the recipient will surely love them.
Threads Monthly’s tutorial: https://threadsmonthly.com/diy-scrunchie-with-hair-tie/
As usual, click on this link to watch the video tutorial. It is a new method to make scrunchies – it also seems pretty easy:
And you, what do you plan to sew for Christmas? Let me know in comments on Instagram!
Looking for beautiful fabrics? Head now to La Cotonnerie e-shop!
