Sewing gifts for the holiday season is a treat for the sewer and gift recipient alike. All the scrap fabrics saved waiting to be sewn into gifts from the heart hold little pieces of the past, like looking through an old photograph album and taking a stroll down our own sentimental memory lane. Sewn gifts from a thrifty scrap saver's sewing basket cost little, yet can be of great value to others to enjoy and cherish.

Fabric Christmas Tree
Make a template for the size table-top or mantel tree desired using one-half of a tree-shape pattern. Brown paper, tissue paper or regular printer paper works well for template patterns. Using holiday fabric, or just a solid green, place the straight edge of your pattern on the fold of your fabric and cut out. This would unfold into a full traditional Christmas tree shape. Repeat until you have four pieces.

Take one of the cut out pieces, keeping the fabric folded, and either machine or hand sew closed opposite the fold, the tree-shaped edge and most of the bottom edge, leaving open a small space for inserting polyester-type stuffing. Insert stuffing firmly and hand-stitch the opening closed. Do the same with the other three cut out pieces.

Lastly, whip stitch by hand the four tree parts together along the long, formerly folded straight edges. This will connect all four tree parts and form the dimensional the tree shape. Decorate with small red bows, bells, and button for ornaments.

Sleep Mask and Potpourri Sachet
Make a sleep mask template. Use it as a pattern to cut out two from a soft brushed holiday theme flannel. Cut one from thin cotton batting. Place the two flannel pieces right-side together and place on top of the thin batting, stitch all around about 1/4-inch in from the edges, leaving a space for turning. Trim the seam allowance slightly and clip inner and outer curves, turn, press and slip-stitch the opening closed. Hand-stitch pre-gathered lace around the sleep mask’s edges. Add ribbon ties. Make a small pillow out of the same holiday fabric and stuff with a small amount of fiberfill and lavender-infused potpourri sachet for sweet dreams. Trim with the same pre-gathered lace.

No-Sew Muslin Angel Pin
Muslin is a versatile cotton cloth of ancient origin and trade. Tear two small pieces of muslin – one approximately 4 inches by 7 inches and the other 2 inches x by 3 inches. Fold one long edge of the larger piece just 1 and 1/2 inches to one side, place a small ball of fiberfill at the center then wind a length of thread around the ball and knot. This will fashion the head of the angel. This will fashion the head of the angel.

For arms, tie each corner into a knot close to the head. For wings, fanfold the remaining smaller torn muslin piece, wrap a length of thread several times around the middle, glue to the back of the angel body. Glue a jewelry pin onto the back of wings. Embroider a small red heart on the front of the angel’s skirt or add a tiny fabric rose or tiny red bow to the angel’s skirt for decoration. Wind some strands of raffia around your finger to form a halo and glue to the angel’s head. This tiny muslin angel can also decorate a gift package or become a tree ornament.

No-Sew Hooped Lace Wall Hanging
Center a holiday theme lace panel (poinsettia, candle, pine tree, snowflake scene) over solid red, burgundy, or green fabric. Place an eight-inch embroidery hoop over all, pulling fabrics taut. Glue 1 and 1/4-inches wide pre-gathered ruffled lace all around the back of the hoop. Add small bow to the top if desired. The wall hanging is light-weight and easily hangs from a push pin.

While there may be little time to sew or craft as holidays get closer, a few minutes and some fabric scraps and trims are often all it takes to make something memorable.

Sew happy, sew inspired.