Fleece Navidad - Easy Handmade Gift Guide for Everyone on Your List

There are as many reasons to give handmade for the holidays as there are Crayolas in the box (you know, the big one with the sharpener on the back). A handmade gift shows you put care and thought into the gift, can be customized for the recipient, and can save you a ton of money. It passes along a thoughtfully made, quality item rather than something plastic from a factory overseas. It increases awareness and appreciation for handmade. It lets you knock something off your to-do list while doing something you love (almost feels like cheating, doesn't it?)  I don't know about you but I'd rather sit at my sewing machine, creating pretty things while listening to my favorite podcasts than tromp around the malls listening to the noise coming out of Wet Seal. Best of all, it gives you a chance to show off how very crafty you are.

Convinced to give handmade but not sure what to give? Here is a DIY Gift Guide to give you gift ideas for everyone on your list.

• Babies. OK, little babies don't really care what you get them, it's true. But their parents will thank you for adorable handmade baby clothes, blankets, or baby-safe stuffed toys. My Peas in a Pod pattern is easy to sew - yes, even if you have never sewn in a zipper. And it's not just cute, it's a developmental learning toy. The pea "balls" are sized for baby to grasp. You can stuff them with squeakers, crinkles, and rattles to add to the appeal. The chunky zipper is easy for little hands to work, or mom and dad can use it for fun games of 'peekaboo' with those learning object permanance. Personalize it by making the peas look like family members! One clever seamstress made the three peas look like herself and her two sisters. Another seamstress is printing the peas at 75% to fit 4 in the pod to represent 4 children. Bonus, fleece is inexpensive this time of year.

Source: Peas in a Pod Zipper Toy via tiedyediva on Craftsy


• Toddlers and Preschoolers. Another great idea for fleece - thrill a kid with a dress-up teddy bear! The bear itself has only 3 pattern pieces  - doesn't look like it, does it? - and sews up quickly and easily. You'll have plenty of time left to sew clothes with the included teddy bear clothing patterns. Personalize it by making the clothes from the child's favorite outgrowns, or sew up matching outfits for bear and child.  

Source: Dress Up Teddy Bear - Bear and Clothes via tiedyediva on Craftsy

•  Older Children. How about a kid's hoodie vest made from cuddly fleece fabric that the child will love? Think superheros, kitties, purple and pink princesses. Or, a dinosaur chinstrap hat in the child's favorite colors. Mom will thank you for making a hat the child will always be happy to put on!

Source: Reversible Fleece Hoodie Vest for Kids via tiedyediva on Craftsy

Source: Kids Fleece Hats with Chinstrap via tiedyediva on Craftsy
• Tweens and Teens. Earflap hats are popular, and flip-top mittens keep hands warm but give easy access for opening backpacks, working bike locks, and of course, texting friends. Personalize in favorite colors. Both made from fleece!

Source: Convertible Fingerless Gloves/Mittens via tiedyediva on Craftsy

• Women. Infinity scarves look good on everyone and can be made from almost any fabric you can imagine, from floaty silk and voile to cottons, flannels and ... ok, you are getting the theme here, fleece. Easy, easy sew, a great first project. No one will know.

Source: How to Sew an Infinity Scarf via tiedyediva on Craftsy

• Men. A manly denim or canvas grilling apron is a great gift for any guy. The Man Apron pattern has a pocket for keeping essentials like grilling thermometer and bottle opener nearby. Personalize it by making the 'secret' bib liner in a fabric he will love - his favorite team, man-vehicle, or if you're feeling really generous, one of the adorable pin-up lines from Alexander Henry. (Notice I didn't say fleece! Fleece aprons would be a really, really bad idea!)

Source: The Man Apron - Grilling Apron via tiedyediva on Craftsy

• People You Don't Know That Well but Want to Give a Gift To. Easy Sew Gift Card Holder pattern to the rescue! Match a gift card up with a small token gift - a bookmark with a gift card to a book store or a tin of tea or a coffee mug with a coffee shop gift card. Enclose the gift card in a personalized fabric gift card holder that can be used for credit cards or business cards long after the gift card is gone.

Source: Fabric Gift Card or Business Card Holder via tiedyediva on Craftsy
 

A gift guide is not complete without a gift to you. All patterns featured in this post are 15% off this week when purchased on Craftsy. Click below to go right on through to my Craftsy shop: 

Visit tiedyediva's Craftsy Pattern Store »