From a Sewist, With Love: Handmade Gift Ideas & Tips

As sewists, we often cringe at the number of times people ask us to utilize our skills to hem their pants. Still, when birthdays, holidays, or any number of other gift-giving occasions arise we love the opportunity to use our sewing superpowers to create thoughtful and unique handmade presents. Whether it is creating the perfect gift for tucking under the tree, congratulating someone on their new home, or you are welcoming a new baby into the world, there are plenty of handmade ideas. We've put together a list of our favorites, along with  tips for taking the stress out of gift sewing and how to make them truly unique!

First up, the tips!

1. Batch-Sewing is the Best

Need to make something for all ten members of your book club? Batch sew some bookmarks! Want to sew thoughtful and practical gifts for your kids’ teachers and coaches? Try batch sewing them all cup cozies. The main benefit to batch sewing is that it is incredibly time-saving! Instead of starting from scratch for each gift, you can complete each step once for your entire group of gifts.

Sew Smart! Another tip to simply sewing is to choose a thread color that pairs well with each of your fabrics. That means no thread changing in between each one! If one thread doesn't work for all of them, try separating them into as few groups as possible. 

2. Sew Sustainable

Scraps can be used for a variety of unique gifts. What could be better than putting a smile on someone’s face while ALSO finding a use for all of those extra pieces of fabric you have laying around? Not to mention that also means less waste and you doing one small part for the planet, it also means no extra cost! It sounds like a win, win, win. From sachets to zippered pouches and eyeglass cases to headbands, there are a ton of options that you can make sustainably with remnants already in your stash!

3. Even Better Embellished

If you’re looking to take a me-made gift to the next level, we have some ideas for you! The quickest and easiest is to add a sweet or funny label to a hat, tote bag, or scarf. They can guarantee a smile on the face of its recipient with every use while also making the gift look more "store-bought."

Eye-catching hand stitching or embroidery can also add a bit of extra visual interest to your gifts and enhance an otherwise plain fabric. From napkins and table runners to lap quilts and garments, a bit of stitching can show off your creativity while also adding a bit of visual interest and zhuzh to your finished product. Whether it is the initials of the recipient, a simple floral or geometric design, or something more intricate, embroidery is among the most versatile tools for personalization and making your gift totally unique.