Handmade Christmas #1: It is almost time for Christmas. We may be discussing Thanksgiving plans, but in the back of our minds, we are already thinking about Christmas gifts.
It would really be nice to do something handmade, but with all the busyness of life, we let that slip through the cracks. Again.
There Is Still Time!
You can still do it. You just need to refocus on simple gifts that you can work on in the evenings, or spend a Saturday creating. Over the next 8 weeks, each Thursday, I will offer up Handmade Christmas ideas you can make.
The first ones will be those that take a bit more time, and as Christmas approaches, the gifts will get easier. Even if you can’t make something for everyone on your gift list, you can do as many as possible.
When the winter months ahead keep you inside, work on a few to give you a head start on the next Christmas season.
Handmade Christmas Gift #1 – Throws
I made these a couple of years ago for the women on my list. They loved them, but what surprised me even more was that several of the men wanted to know why they didn’t get one.
Choose your fabric according to the color preferences or personality of the recipient. And take it a step further by embroidering the person’s name, favorite Bible verse or a design in one of the corner squares!
Save Money!
One of my favorite things about these throws is that I didn’t have to spend a lot of money on them. You will need enough fabric to do 30 squares that are 10-1/2” x 10-1/2”.
For several of mine, I used fabric that I already had. For others, I did purchase fabric, but I supplemented coordinating fabric from my stash.
Unless you have it, you will have to purchase the fleece for the backing. The backing needs to be at least 61” long (to accommodate the 1/2” seam allowance) and 51” wide. The fleece I purchased is 54” wide, which makes it just perfect.
In order to be able to cut costs, my friend Lorea and I made our tops in advance, and then went to JoAnn’s to purchase the backing during Christmas sales.
If you want to embroider something on a square, do it after you cut the square but before you sew the pieces together. I chose to embroider ‘Psalms 91” with a hand-drawn feather on all of mine.
It helps to remind everyone that God is their refuge. That way, when they use the throw, they can imagine that they are getting a big hug from God!
A Quick Tip
Here’s a quick tip: You are going to want to see how your quilt is going to look once it’s put together, but before you do all the sewing.
Lorea came up with the idea of hanging a flannel-backed tablecloth (purchased from the Dollar Store) on the wall. The squares adhere to the flannel, and you can arrange and rearrange until you like the way it looks.
Ready to start making your throws? Step-by-step instructions are available HERE!
Here’s another Handmade Christmas Idea
If you love to crochet, make Christmas decorations for your bags or packages by making a Christmas ornament for each gift you give!
Add a wonderful aroma to any gift with Handmade Sachets!
As you finish a project, be sure to post what you think and a photo in the comments. Be sure to include your name so you can get full credit for your creativity!!!
Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Handmade Christmas Series!
Handmade Christmas #2 – Crochet Hats & Scarves
Handmade Christmas # 3 – Knitted Kitchen Fun
Handmade Christmas #4 – Crochet Pot Scrubbers
Handmade Christmas #5 – Embroidered Dish Towels
Handmade Christmas #6 – Wooden Spoon Butter
Handmade Christmas #7 – Fresh Baked Gift Trays
Handmade Christmas #8 – Gift Baskets
Julie made one for me that I proudly display on the pillows on the back of my wooden couch made by my husband. Julie’s Mom
Thanks, Mom! For the sweet comment, and for also being my biggest supporter and encourager. I hope I can grow up to be the F5 Tornado that you are!!! I love you.