Now that I've decided to hand deliver my Christmas gifts to family members at Thanksgiving, I'm awash in lists and plans. And, ironically, still cranky over the too-early commercial bombardment of Christmas music and decor. Scrambling to find gift ideas for those always-difficult people, I've had to concede that what hasn't been decided yet will be purchased, not handmade.
Are you looking for some gift ideas that you can sew? One of my old standbys has been the lowly and much overlooked pillowcase, which I've made mostly for kids, preschool to college age. I've made them to coordinate with gift quilts and occasionally they've been an extra something-to-open when I'm sending a gift card or cash. With all of the great fabrics available today, the theme possibilities are endless and there isn't a simpler item to sew. Here are a few of the combinations I've used.
I've also made all sorts of travel accessories over the years...zippered pouches, sewing kits, jewelry rolls. Most from an old, now out-of-print Vogue pattern which I've practically worn out. By varying fabrics, they make great gifts for all ages. (*All ages* seem to be traveling these days and I have a lot of nieces!) A friend made this shoe bag for me, featuring a Jan Mullen shoe block design.
I use it all the time in my gallivanting and think it's a great idea for a quick gift...simply a 13" x 15" drawstring bag. eQuilter has lots of prints that would work wonderfully for it, without the inserted block. (Do a search for *shoe*.) The one below's my favorite, by illustrator Nancy Wolff. She also has lots of funny, offbeat animal prints available (eQuilter) that would look great as anything you might consider making for a child...aprons, totes, pillowcases. (Search *wolff*.)
So, are y'all perched on the edge of your seats waiting for the conclusion of my critter tale? Well, it turned out to be......nothing. Nothing inside, anyway. Sorry to disappoint, but we're breathing a big sigh of relief here!
As you can see from my highly technical illustration, a trap was set at a point of possible entry. After several inspections over a few days, it was finally determined that what I heard was the culprit (probably, but not definitely, a squirrel) scratching determinedly to get in through this little hole. (And, from the sounds of it, armed with a small hacksaw.) On Friday, the attic space was thoroughly searched and all possible entry points were screened, caulked and sealed. So now I can forget about that. And wait for the next household calamity. *sigh*
Not one to renege on a promise, I decided to throw all contest entries into the mix and through a highly scientific random selection (we were out raking leaves this afternoon and I called out "Hey M! Pick a number from one to......), Kathy, the Knitigator, has been determined to be the winner. Email me your address, Kathy, and I'll send your your prize out this week!
I'll be sending my new pillow measurements shortly. Thanks for the reminder!
Posted by: molly! | November 13, 2005 at 06:44 PM
Coordinating pillowcases are a great idea. Love that cherry fabric - I was sewing with some of it today too!
Posted by: caro | November 13, 2005 at 07:11 PM
ooh!! yes, I always forget about pillowcases too! thanks for the reminder. And I'm happy to hear there are NO critters in your house! Or atleast...not ones that you can catch!
Posted by: amanda | November 13, 2005 at 07:33 PM
Oh, I wish I had an auntie like you!
That critter story is TOOOOOOO funny.
Posted by: Norma | November 13, 2005 at 07:56 PM
What a great gift - pillow-covers! Glad to hear that the trouble was just on the outside.
Posted by: Mary Beth | November 13, 2005 at 09:08 PM
oh darn, I was so hoping for a rat!
;-)
Posted by: Snowbear | November 13, 2005 at 10:10 PM
Pillowcases are such a great idea, and I love your combinations! Glad to hear the critters are still on the outside!
Posted by: myra | November 14, 2005 at 12:25 AM
Woot!
no animal in the attic...
Posted by: blackbird | November 14, 2005 at 07:20 AM
Great pillowcases. So glad to hear it was nothing -- well, nothing inside!
Posted by: Kathy | November 14, 2005 at 09:33 AM
I love the cherries fabric. One of my favorite Christmas card "themes" is holly berries. There's just something so appealing about red fruit & green leaves.
But, despite my fondness for holly, I am still in total agreement with you about the too-early Christmas -- excuse me, "holiday" (like they really care anything about any other religions) -- selling sprees -- excuse me, "spirit." It's one thing for individuals to organize themselves and do holiday arranging early; it's another thing entirely for the retail and advertising businesses to force Christmas shopping on the general public.
Posted by: Cordelia | November 14, 2005 at 10:44 AM
pillow cases are a good idea! I love make my christmas list...I have such big plans I can use my list year after year (cuz I never get it all done!!)
Posted by: brit | November 14, 2005 at 11:53 AM
I'd love to find out more on these pillow cases ... do you have a specific pattern? Would you mind posting a pic of a completed one? Am I the only one completely not getting how this is working?
I love the colour combos, btw. I've bought some bed linen at IKEA recently that needs adapting to my big girl's duvet and pillow sizes so a pattern or picture would be very handy. Same goes for my au pair's pillow cases that need resizing.
And thanks as usual!
Posted by: Dorothee | November 14, 2005 at 12:45 PM
Handmade gifts have such a lot of love attached to them - for the recipient and the creator. Love the pillowcases, what a great idea.
Posted by: Sally | November 14, 2005 at 04:42 PM