Sewing Christmas gifts is a fun way to stretch your holiday dollar and create one-of-a-kind presents. It's a great option if: you're tired of fighting the hoards at the big box stores, sick of the same old merchandise repackaged for the current holiday season or frustrated with shoddy goods selling at quality prices.
Once you've decided to sew items for all those on you're your gift giving list, you need to come up with a battle plan as well as a timetable to help you be successful. Here are seven tips to get you started:
Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #1
Now is not the time to learn how to make a fitted jacket or a lined evening gown. Save that for when you have more time and a larger budget. Stick with projects that are within your current skill set.
Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #2
Keep it simple. Simple does not mean "boring." There are just too many fabrics and trims out there for anything to ever be boring again.
Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #3
If you decide to sew garments, choose a forgiving pattern, something that doesn't require a fitting session.
Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #4
When creating gift items, it's less stressful if you use a fabric that you're familiar with and won't break your heart if you make a mistake and ruin it. Sewing on cotton is a lot easier than working with slick manufactured fibers.
Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #5
Don't overrate your speed and ability. Be realistic when you figure how long it's going to take you to make an item. The large pattern manufacturers have hundreds of patterns titled: "The 2-Hour Shirt" or "The 4-Hour Jacket." If you choose one of those designs, double the amount of time they suggest. Don't forget, you're probably not just sewing gifts, but working or going to school and maybe even running a household as well.
Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #6
Sew like a sweat shop.
Clear a space large enough to create in, maybe in a place where you can leave everything out and not have to put away after each sewing session.
Make the same item for several people on your list. Repetition creates confidence. Confidence creates speed.
If you are making four pairs of pajamas, for instance, sew each of them be in a different patterned fabric, but all in the same color family. That way you won't constantly be changing threads.
Wind several bobbins before you start sewing.
Have plenty of straight pins.
When it's time to sew, perform the same step on each of the items. For example, sew all the inseams at one time. Then take them to the ironing board and press all the inseams at the same time.
Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #7
If you don't feel confident in your skill to sew a complete garment, you can add your own embellishments to ready-to-wear items - like beaded fringe on the bottom of jeans or turn little fabric yoyos into flowers and stitch on the bottom of a little girl's skirt. Sew a purchased soccer ball patch on a sweatshirt for your nephew.
Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #8
Sewing Christmas gifts doesn't have to be about clothes. I love to sew Christmas decorations for friends and family that they can use in their own homes: banners, dolls, reindeer, Christmas tree skirts, Christmas tree garlands, tablecloths, napkins, placemats, wall hangings, lap quilts and ornaments.
