Butcher-type aprons & tote bags from drapery/upholstery cottons/linens = )

I might also make some stockings from scrap fabric - to hold small gifts.I've made sachets from scrap fabric as well - stuffed w/ homemade lavender potpourri - those are always a hit.

& if I ever get more ambitious, I'l try my hand @ some stuffed toys too.....

Last year DH & I decided to support 2 charities in honor of our families. The family members liked the idea so much that we're all doing that this year. We figured we all have so much stuff and our $ could help people who really need it. Plus I get a lot more time to make stuff for myself! :)

Donna

I haven't decided yet. I might make some doll clothes, although I've never done it before, except out of kleenex and paper towels :)
I'm certainly looking for ideas.

I made sets of spaghetti bibs one year. I thought they came out nice. I made them with lobster print material backed with vinyl so they could be called lobster bibs too. I just made a simple pattern and used bias binding around the edges and for the ties.

I'm making bed quilts for my kids, pajamas for the grandbabies, and table runners with matching placemats for Mom and the sibs.

Hello all,

I'm new to your forum. I have previously spent most of my time at the vegetable garden forum but winter is coming... time to get caught up on months of mending!

I love to sew for holiday gifts. A lot of my inspirations come from things I see in the store or catalogs that I'd love to buy but I find myself muttering "I could make it so much cheaper!"

For the little girl in the family - a barbie doll organizer. take clear vinyl and sew in over a fashion fabic forming little pockets to keep dolls in clothes in. (Think of a shoe storage device that you would hang on the back of your closet door) I saw one in a catalog for $30 and made mine for only $4. I inserted a 'placet' at the top to insert a plastic hanger. Big hit with my daughter.

How about decorating plain towels? Add lace, trims, beads, monograms, to accent a bathroom. Know those towels that cost $20 each in the stores?

Lingerie pouches, scented potpourri pouches, robes, and aprons are all nice items that don't have to be sized like fashion garments do.

Gift bags for wine or office gifts, or even family, are a nice use for scrap velvet and satin.

Little kids in the family? Make a how-to-dress-myself book. Use squares of felt (inexpensive and colorful) to make practice pages for buttons, zippers, buckles, snaps, tying shoes, etc. Great for boys who don't want a doll to practice on.

Bean bags are a huge hit, especialy when made from fun fabrics. I made some before a hurricane several years ago and they are still playing with them. (Well, that is until the dogs figured out there were beans inside and ate them a month ago.)

Well, I've spewed out enough ideas for one post. But if you need more, just spend an hour strolling through the mall or Target and you'll get plenty of ideas to replicate. I actually keep a book of clippings and ideas that I see so that I have an inspirational spot to revert back to when i'm out of ideas.

Have fun!

WELCOME, Needle Babe!! Great ideas, and funny story about the dogs. At least YOU weren't forced to eat the beans DURING the hurricane...in case you hadn't stocked up...