Homemade Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

Stitch Craft Create Gifts 2013

With the holidays around the corner, many of us are thinking about what kind of special gifts we can make for our friends and family members this year. Of course, garments, linens and home decor items are always popular and well-received, but there are lots of other creative gifts you can stitch up as well. Our sister magazine, Stitch Craft Create, recently released a special edition devoted entirely to the concept of homemade gift giving. Below, we've shared photos of some of the fabulous projects this issue includes, as well as a list of other small project ideas to jumpstart your planning.

Garter Mug Cozies (left) and Pretty Storage Pocket

Men's Custom Tie

Bath Time Buddies (left) and Modern Stars and Stripes & Square Jack Pillow

Girl's Weekend at the Lake Quilt (left) and Garden Baby Bib

Small project ideas:
• Set of table napkins: Use several fabrics from your stash that play well together. Cut, hem tie with a ribbon and you're done.

• Set of placemats: Same drill as with the napkins. You may want to line the mats to make them more substantial.

• Journal covers: Purchase journals and make fun covers for them.

• iPad/iPod/iPhone padded cases: Pad a case with washable batting and hand-stitch it sashiko-style.

• Pillows: Stamp, paint or stencil a design on canvas, then stitch the fabric into rounds, squares or bolsters.

• Throws: How about denim for the outer layer and a cozy lining of soft flannel?

• Basket: Make an outer cover and/or lining for a purchased basket. If you have time, sewing fabric strips together makes a unique quilted basket.

• Cuff/wristlets: Quick, but oh-so-fashionable. Denim scraps are great for a base.

• Canvas dog chew: Really simple! Cut and sew a bone shape, stuff and stitch. (A small, catnip-filled mouse is just right for a cat.)

• Pet collars: Only fabric scraps required. Embellish with ribbon and rickrack.

• Children's pajama bags: How about a cat's head with a flap in back to hang on the closet door?

• Child's superhero cape: Appliqué a super-sized first initial for the hero!

• Sleep masks: Fill with a restful herb mix.

• Sewing-machine cover: For your friend who hasn't discovered the dangers of dust.

• Chef's apron: Perfect for your grillster.

• Pot holders: Everyone needs more of these.

• Holiday ornaments: Stuff and stitch shapes, adding a ribbon to hang.

For more great gift ideas, be sure to check out Stitch Craft Create Gifts 2013. Inside are tutorials for 50+ homemade gifts. With projects involving sewing, paper, jewelry, yarn and more, this will be your go-to issue to inspire a perfect gift for everyone on your list. 

Sew On, Sew Well, Sew Beautiful,
Cyndi and Amelia

Turn Lace Scraps into Glowing Lace!

How many times have you finished a project & had leftover scraps of lace?  And usually, they are so small, there isn't much need for them, right?

Here is a quick and easy use for those scraps of lace that will easily brighten up a room!

Light up the autumn season with a collection of beautiful, lace-wrapped candles. This simple project will lend a delightfully eerie, yet elegant touch to your seasonal décor.

Glowing Lace

By Jessica Woodroof

MATERIALS

› Laces in cream, white and black (can be vintage or new)

› Pillar and votive candles in cream, white and black

› Glue stick

› Scissors

› Paper towels

› Scrap paper

› Straight pins

Instructions

1. Select an assortment of candles, and experiment with different looks by wrapping lace lengths around candles, temporarily pinning in place with straight pins. Once you have chosen your favorite lace-and-candle combinations, trim laces to appropriate lengths and unpin from candles. NOTE: Trim lace pieces a little bit longer than needed to avoid a gap between lace ends.

2. Lay a piece of scrap paper onto a flat work surface. Place a piece of lace, wrong side up, onto paper. Use a glue stick to generously coat back side of lace with glue. 

3. Carefully lift lace off of paper; press glued side of lace onto candle, wrapping lace all the way around. Use scissors to trim away any excess lace so that cut edges meet precisely end-to-end and lie flat against candle, creating a barely-visable seam. 

4. Wrap candle in a clean, dry paper towel. Place candle on its side on a flat, hard surface, and roll candle back and forth a few times to help adhere lace to candle and remove excess glue.  

5. Carefully unwrap candle from paper towel, making sure lace does not pull away from candle. Discard paper towel. Set candle aside and allow glue to dry before handling. NOTE: Glue may take several days to dry completely.

6. Repeat process with remaining candles to create a coordinating set.

Tips & Ideas

• For a spooky, Halloween appeal, I tried to use simple, “unfussy” laces without many flowers. Vintage or stained laces can also help portray a mysterious feeling. 

• I would advise working near a sink, as the gluing process can make your hands very sticky.

• Thrift stores, yard sales and antique stores are great places to find vintage laces. You can also find a wide selection of new cotton laces in white, cream and black at store.marthapullen.com.

• Be sure to always take extra care when burning candles, and never leave them unattended.

Jessica Woodroof is an artisan jewelry designer, handcrafter and homemaker residing in Huntsville, Alabama. She loves living a simple life with her wonderful husband Brian, and adorable cat Anna, in their lovely 1930s stone cottage. She spends her days baking bread, sewing, cleaning, decorating, gardening and creating whimsical pieces of wooden jewelry. You can find more of her work at thearchitectswife.etsy.com and themissingthread.etsy.com.

A closer look at Stitch Craft Create!

Magazine Week!

This week we delve into the world of magazines, including Stitch Craft Create, Sew Beautiful, and Stitch.

Today we will highlight

Stitch Craft Create.

Stitch Craft Create is a refreshing magazine devoted to celebrating a creative lifestyle. Through inspiration, motivation, crafting ideas and how-to projects, Stitch Craft Create offers a “can-do” approach to developing creative ambition and handmade originality. Within the pages of this contemporary crafts publication, readers have the opportunity to meet inspiring people, both hobbyists to celebrity designers; learn crafting techniques and receive an abundance of unique project tutorials in a variety of crafting genres, including sewing, paper crafts, fibers, mixed media, repurposing ideas, entertaining and more; discover new must-have products and resources; and above all, ignite the creative passion within themselves! We all wish we had the ability to beautify our lives with creative touches; Stitch Craft Create inspires the creative process and promotes living a handmade life by teaching readers how to seek, find and express creativity.

We had a chance to sit down with Shannon Miller, editor for Stitch Craft Create.  

Sew Beautiful:  Where did your love of crafting come from and have you crafted all of your life?

Shannon Miller:  I have been a crafter for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my parents were always incredibly encouraging of creative play, and there was never a shortage of art supplies, crayons or glue at our house. My fondest childhood memories are of "making things" to play with or give to others. Just the other day, my sister and I were digging through our old dollhouse furniture, and there was a scrappy decoupaged box I clearly remember making, along with wonky furniture I'd crafted from floral foam and fabric scraps (not my finest work, but wonderful memories!) As I grew up, crafting and creativity remained a central part of my identity. My parents gave me my first sewing machine when I went off to college, and today most of what I make is still for our home or family. I strongly considered attending a graduate school for art therapy because of my deeply-held belief that creating things with your own two hands is one of the finest forms of stress relief; and my husband knows that one of the best things he can offer me when I'm feeling anxious is a couple of hours alone in my craft room!

SB: What is the most rewarding part of your job as the editor of Stitch Craft Create magazine?

SM: Knowing that the product we create is how people choose spend their extra cash and leisure time is an intrinsic reward like no other. Craft time is my happy place, and being part of a company that helps foster the creative spirit and enjoyment of others is so endlessly fun for me. You know that feeling when you meet a new person and discover that you're both "into crafts," causing you to squeal with excitement at your newfound shared interest? That's how I feel every day, and I feel like our readers are my best friends for that very reason!

SB: What is the hardest part or most challenging part of your job?

SM: Trying (and failing) to make everybody happy all the time can be very intimidating, and it makes me very sad any time I find out that someone is disappointed, no matter what the reason. And of course, the deadlines are relentless! But all we can do is our best, and keep trying to make that best even better. I'm blessed to work with a team that is so very passionate about what we do. Creating each issue of SCC has been a real learning process, and we're so excited about what's to come in the future.

SB: Since you work with a multicraft publication, can you tell us which medium is your favorite?

SM: Oh my, I love it ALL! How can I choose just one? Personally, I'm a hand embroidery junkie. I also love quilting, although I always tend to bite off more than I can chew when it comes to quilts, so small sewing projects are often my craft of choice. I love sewing for my children and for our house, and I'm getting into clothing as well. I also have a soft spot for any project that crosses mediums, like stitching on paper, or ribbons and buttons on a scrapbook page, and any kind of repurposing/upcycling projects. Events and entertaining are another place I tend to dump lots of ideas; I love getting to make everything coordinate (I get a little obsessive!) Although, the parties I help decorate or host tend to always be a last-minute production, so they're always more incredible in my head than in real life. ;)

SB: Since you just had a baby recently and are now the mother of two very little ones, does your job and home responsibilities allow for any personal craft time? How do you get your "craft fix?"

SM: Two babies under 18 months old has certainly put a cramp in my "free time," but things are settling down now that the newborn is not so new. I can usually grab a few minutes to myself on the weekends or after bedtime. I've gotten into scrapbooking this year, because I love that I can buy and play with all the scrumptious products and tidbits to my heart's desire, yet whip out a complete page in one sitting if I want. It's great stress relief; I like that it allows me to embrace that Instagram-esque concept of capturing a moment and savoring a memory of even small things. And of course, I'm incredibly lucky to work in and around crafts at work, so that certainly helps fill the creative gap when I don't have time for myself at home.

Thank you to Shannon for taking time from her very busy days to allow us to get to know her a little better; the brains behind the creativity!

Have you missed a past issue?  
Did you know you can purchase them at Martha Pullen's online store?

Enter to win a bundle of all our issues, INCLUDING the soon-to-be-released
Holiday Issue!

Enter to win the bundle HERE!

___________________________

There are also many projects in our new book, 101 Ways to Stitch Craft Create! This fun book features all-new projects includes sewing, stitching, embroidery, quilting, applique, knitting, crochet, papercraft, beading and cade decorating so you can unleash the crafter in you!

101 Ways to Stitch Craft Create:
Quick & Easy Projects to Stitch, Sew, Knit, Bead & Fold

Want to try your hand at making gorgeous homemade goodies? This stunning collection of fresh, new projects includes ideas for sewing, stitching, embroidery, quilting, applique, beading, crochet, knitting, papercraft and cake decorating to help you jumpstart your creativity.

In this fully illustrated 128-page book, you’ll find complete instructions and materials lists for 101 original projects, including:

• ·      Elegant mini cakes
• ·      Lovely crocheted flower coasters
• ·      Exquisite shabby chic gift bags
• ·      Charming machine-stitched egg cosies
• ·      And much more!

Each simple step-by-step project can be crafted quickly with easily obtainable materials, so you’ll be creating handmade gifts and accessories in no time!

Click HERE to win a copy!

OR purchase it right now for 19% off the cover price...
Our gift to you during National Sewing Month.

Retail: $23.99

Your price: $19.33

You save: $4.66 (19%)

Free Reverse Appliqué Onesie Tutorial

Simple surface appliqué is an easy and popular embellishment technique for clothing; but have you ever tried reverse appliqué? The general concept is the same as regular appliqué, except that the accent fabric is stitched to the garment from the backside. Then, the garment fabric is trimmed away in front to reveal the cute fabric print inside a stitched window.

Here, I used this technique to create a sweet birdie onesie, perfect for autumn. Because I wanted to soften the brightness of a white garment for a more natural, cozy look, I coffee-dyed it before appliquéing. The easy how-to for this process is included here following the instructions for reverse appliqué.

Materials

• Bird and embroidery template (available below)
• Cotton flat-front baby onesie
• Cotton fabric print for appliqué, approximately 4-1/4 inches x 3-1/4 inches (Tilda Berrie Teal used in sample)
• Monofilament thread
• Blue wash-away marking pen
• DMC Six Strand Embroidery Floss to coordinate with fabric print
• Hand sewing needle
• Pins
• Scissors

Instructions

1.  Use blue wash-away marking pen to trace bird design onto wrong side of cotton fabric print. Turn onesie inside out. Pin cotton fabric onto inside front of onesie, right side down, and making sure bird will be positioned where you want it on your finished onesie.
2. Set up sewing machine with monofilament thread. Stitch fabric to onesie on traced lines of bird shape, backstitching to secure at beginning and ending point.
3. Use scissors to trim away excess fabric around outside of stitching lines to about 1/4 inch.
4. Turn onesie right side out. Cut a small hole in onesie fabric inside stitching lines, being careful to only cut through knit layer. Trim away onesie fabric from inside stitching lines, about 1/8 to 1/16 inch away from stitches. TIP: Extra-sharp, precision-tip scissors are especially helpful in this step.
5. Machine wash and dry onesie; this will fray and curl raw, cut edges of onesie fabric.
6. Using a blue wash-away marking pen and template provided, trace embroidery design onto onesie around bird design. Use DMC floss to backstitch over marked lines.
7. Rinse away blue marked lines; let onesie dry, then press.

Fun Ideas to Switch it up!

• Instead of monofilament thread, use thread in a coordinating or contrasting color.
• Create your own appliqué templates using any shape you choose! Just keep in mind that simpler shapes are easiest to stitch around on the sewing machine.
• Apply this same reverse appliqué technique to any garment, or use it in home décor such as on tea towels or pillows.

How to Dye with Coffee

Dying cotton fabric with coffee (or tea) is a simple and inexpensive way to give any item a natural, aged off-white hue. I chose to coffee-dye the baby onesie used in this project to soften the brightness of the white fabric, and love the results. Here’s how you do it!

Materials

• White cotton baby onesie (or other item)
• Coffee and coffee pot
• Water
• Tub or large casserole dish
• Wooden spoon
• Vinegar 

Instructions

• Pre-wash and dry baby onesie to remove any sizing or oils from fabric. This will ensure a more evenly dyed application.
• Brew a strong pot of coffee. NOTE: Coffee can be either caffeinated or decaffeinated; the key is just to brew with a bit more grounds than usual.
• Pour brewed coffee into tub or large casserole dish. Place onesie into dye bath. With a wooden spoon, push garment under surface and allow it to steep in coffee dye for 20 to 40 minutes, or until desired darkness is achieved.
• Before removing onesie from dye bath, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar, stirring with wooden spoon. Allow onesie to steep in mixture for an additional 5 minutes; the vinegar will help set coffee dye into fabric.
• Remove onesie from coffee-vinegar mixture. Rinse briefly under faucet until water runs clear. Dry onesie in dryer or by laying flat.
• Continue with reverse appliqué as instructed. Any remaining coffee or vinegar odor should disappear once onesie is washed.

This tutorial was excerpted from the new Fall 2012 edition of Sew Beautiful's sister magazine, Stitch Craft Create, which can be found on newsstands and at store.marthapullen.com starting next week!

Shannon Miller is the editor of Stitch Craft Create magazine. Having previously worked as art director for Sew Beautiful magazine and with a love of all things crafty and creative, she feels blessed to work in such an inspiring environment every day. She admits to having a problem with coffee, an exploding stash of fat quarters, a strong dislike for cleaning, an addiction to reading blogs and an overwhelming affection for naps. Shannon lives in Huntsville, Alabama with her husband Nathan and their one-year-old daughter Georgia Mae and newborn son Ryland.