It doesn’t matter how many good intentions most of us have, including scouring clearance racks in the middle of July already thinking of Christmas, the holidays always have a way of sneaking up on us. Something is missing, something’s not ready, or something has been completely forgotten.
With these resources, you’ll be able to quickly sew last minute Christmas gifts and decor … without spending a dime on the pattern. The power of the Internet comes to save us again.
So whether you’re looking to create that perfect, cute little diaper baby for your favorite little one or a very sleek key chain fob fit for holding your id and essentials, you will have your last minute (or need to get out of the way quick) items ready to go.
Diaper Babies
At first glance, these are adorable swaddled babies with cute little beanies on. When you look closer, you’ll see baby washcloths, sock hats, and more adorning the little cuties. It’s a gift that is almost too cute for moms and dads to take apart – you’ll hear a lot of oohing and ahing over this one!
Created by Northern Cottage, the pattern and instructions for Diaper Babies can be found here. And don’t let the instructions stifle you – there’s no end to what you can do with these cuties and the right baby items including pacifiers, bibs, rattles, teething rings, and if you’re creative enough, even shoes.
Coolest of all? The little stitching you’ll need to do (just to make sure things don’t fall apart) are simple slip stitches that will be easy to cut apart.
Felt Wardrobe Ornaments
Offered up for free by Woman’s Day magazine, these adorable felt ornaments are sewn to look like Santa may have lost his wardrobe!
Seriously, there’s not a lot to say about these Christmas felt ornaments except that they are way too cute not to have on your tree or as a little decor piece hanging. They require some sewing, but the amount of sewing will depend entirely on the size you make the pattern pieces – but it’s felt, so at least that’s super easy.
Hand Sanitizer Holder
These are honestly just so cool that I had to do a double-take before I saw how they worked. When you glance at the holders, these one-evening-to-make (by hand or machine) beauties look like something fancy perfume would be held in. But they’re not.
Instead, they’re perfectly sized – and include a snap – to carry around with you on your purse, diaper bag, or just hang it next to a sink where it’s most needed. It will definitely make things look cool.
On a Christmas gift-giving scale, these are absolutely awesome because with the right fabric they can be sewn for anyone. For a teacher, choose sturdy fabrics that aren’t too ‘show-offy’. For a teen, go for sparkle. You get the idea. If you know the recipient well, you can pick and choose fabrics that will match their style and you’ll have a Christmas gift that will be beloved and carried everywhere.
A Purse Thingy
Okay, really this is a key chain fob with enough space for your id, credit cards, and a little bit of cash for emergencies. But I had to leave the name alone because the artist named it so … amusingly.
While the instructions for this free Christmas sewing project look a little more complicated, it only takes a couple tries before you’re whipping these babies out (seriously, trust me). And there really isn’t a cooler gift for females of all ages – just make the fabrics appropriate to the recipient.
If your machine will handle leather and thick layers like layers of denim, these come out looking so professional that I’ve actually had people ask where I bought mine. Like me, your Christmas gift recipient will be able to smile and say, “It’s handmade.”
The Crayon Roll
If you have youngsters on your holiday shopping list, crayons and a coloring book are staples that always come to mind. What stops us is that it feels so … well, not unique.
So let’s make this staple Christmas gift unique by using a free pattern that holds all the crayons in a tidy little roll that little ones can drag around with them!
This is a seriously easy, creative, and cute free sewing pattern that kids will love for Christmas bundled with a couple of coloring books to play with.
Cozy Toes
I can’t say much about this wonderful free sewing pattern but … make these slippers and give them for Christmas! Seriously they feel so wonderful to wear and you can make a pair (with a little sewing knowledge) in just under a couple hours from cutting to wearing.
Originally published in the Oct/Nov ’11 issue of SEW NEWS, this is a free sewing pattern you’ll be grinning to give for Christmas.
Baby Blanket Gift Set
One of the hardest times to Christmas shop for baby is when they’re at that in-between age where they’re still too young to show interest in ‘older’ toys, but that a simple layette won’t work anymore. I’ve never seen a prettier or quicker way to make a 100% customized gift set that lets you combine the ‘baby’ stuff with the ‘growing into toddler’ stuff than this gift set tutorial.
With actual patterns for everything from a baby blanket to bib and applique onesie or t-shirt, this tutorial also gives you some ideas for ‘extras’ that can be placed in the basket as well to make it even more unique and useful as a Christmas gift not only for baby but for mom and dad as well.
Christmas Elf Pattern
Oh so cute! Seriously, these are little Christmas Elf dolls but they make for the cutest homemade decor for Christmas too!
Sewn quickly, you can easily customize these cuties based on the fabric choices you use and you can Christmas give as décor or to younger ones as dolls. Adorable.
Christmas Stockings for Baby
Baby’s first Christmas always feels special. The lights seem just a little brighter, the scent of pine a bit more pungent, and all those packages wrapped gaily under the tree just make you want to grin.
Baby’s first Christmas stocking should be special too. This free sewing pattern for a stocking would be perfect for the first Christmas and stored as a keepsake in the years to come. And it’s so easy to make, you’ll be looking for more babies to sew for.
Once you’re done sewing, skip on over to Skip to My Lou to check out some really nifty gift wrapping ideas, too!