Christmas gift Ideas, please help

[EC]

I emptied out my Mom's sewing room and have to come up with Christmas gifts for adults and teens...

All kinds of fabric, flannels, woolens, cottens, anything you could want...but my mind is suddenly a blank...

Help, I need ideas! :think:

[NMDemDist2]

1. microwavable heating pads-- I love mine!

These little bags are made from cotton scraps or flannel, and can be filled with almost any natural grain product. When heated for a few minutes in a microwave oven, they warm to a soothing temperature and can be used to relieve stiffness, stress, or headaches. They also make great gifts.


What you'll need:

for the bag:
~ 1/4 yard of plain muslin or cotton fabric
~ 1/4 yard of printed cotton or flannel, or equivalent scraps (a pieced quilt block is nice and decorative)

more info at link http://www.reddawn.net/quilt/hotpads.htm

[EC]

2. That is a good one

it'll be just right for my brother-in-law.

[Longhorn]

4. I didn't make my own but I have some pads like that.

You can also freeze them for cold packs. I keep mine in a Ziplock bag so they don't take on freezer odors.

[displacedtexan]

10. I use rice (scented with essential oils in those bags.

I make larger ones (6"X9") for keeping toes toasty on cold nights.

[Longhorn]

3. I've made fabric-covered picture frames.

You use matte board or heavy cardboard -- precut or cut your own. Glue on the fabric and trims. You can even stuff the fabric for a pillow effect. Add a hanger or cut and cover a leg for an easel-style frame. For an added touch, include a photo.

The second idea depends on your fabric selection but one year, I made a "Texas Wreath." I got green polkadotted fabric and made a stuffed pillow in the shape of Texas. Then I made three candycanes out of white satin, stuffed and wrapped and glued diagonally with red velvet ribbon. Finally, I made two big buttonholes in the center of the Texas pillow, threaded a wide red velvet ribbon through to the front and tied on the three candycanes with a bow. I made one for everyone in the family and they still hang them every year -- and this has been a good 20 years. I never made one for myself -- you know how that goes when you make gifts! -- but I have two now because they were returned to me when my grandmothers died.

[EC]

5. That's also something like what I'm looking for

something that will become part of the Christmas tradition...

[eleny]

6. Fabric bookmarks

Maybe to tie to the top of the package. Any fabrics put back to back and crazy, wild stitching all over it. No particular pattern to the all-over stitching. Then cut into rectangle shapes and zigzag around the edges to finish off. Upholstery fabric even looks nice.

I've received some in bookmark swaps and like them. Good for putting in a cookbook when people aren't readers.

[Digit]

7. I used to buy picture frames at craft stores...

Then take muslim and stencil an appropriate saying or create a picture. Frame it, and you have a nice customized gift.

[NMDemDist2]

8. frames are cheap at thrift stores too.. n/t

[Zookeeper]

9. Maybe some simple tied quilts in a "throw" size..

if you use an iron-on/fusible batting, it saves a lot of time and effort.

[Lorax]

11. How about some scented sachets

It would be easy to sew up some pretty squares. You can fill them with a combo of flax seeds, lavender, chamomile, etc. Maybe add a few drops of essential oils (I know some suppliers online that are not too expensive). Stack a few of these on top of each other, tie with a pretty ribbon, it would be lovely.

You could also stuff them with cedar chips (yes the kind you might use in a hamster cage) if you want a more traditional or masculine scent. Patchouli essential oil would be nice too.

How about those covered hanger sets? I've seen directions on the internet. Basically it's a little sleeve that goes around a nice wooden hanger, sometimes stuffed with aromatics like a sachet. Nice puffy hanger that pads the clothing and imparts a nice scent.

The flannels might make nice scarves, depending on the pattern. I have made and given simple scarf and hat sets before. Fleece works well for that. If you are feeling ambitious, you could make mittens to go along.

A tea drinker might like a quilted tea cozy (I know I would).

If you know someone's decorating taste/colors, you could make some decorator style pillows. Good for the bedroom or living room.

Not sure of how ambitious you are feeling or the extent of your sewing skills, but along the lines of decorating ideas, how about a pretty set of placemats with matching napkins?

I have made throw blankets out of two pieces of polar fleece. Lay one piece on top of the other (hopefully complementary colors/patterns) Cut strips in the ends and then tie the ends of the two pieces together. We have these all around our house and have given them as gifts. If you want the instructions, I can find the URL for you.

Gosh, I could go on and on. Let me know if any of these ideas are anything along what you might have been thinking. I can probably list more ideas.

I would consider taking a trip to the fabric or craft store. There are tons of lovely books with great ideas for gift items. For that matter, check out your local library.