| Sewing Christmas gifts is a fun way to stretch | | | | "The 2-Hour Shirt" or "The 4-Hour Jacket." If you |
| your holiday dollar and create one-of-a-kind | | | | choose one of those designs, double the amount |
| presents. It's a great option if: you're tired of | | | | of time they suggest. Don't forget, you're |
| fighting the hoards at the big box stores, sick of | | | | probably not just sewing gifts, but working or |
| the same old merchandise repackaged for the | | | | going to school and maybe even running a |
| current holiday season or frustrated with shoddy | | | | household as well. |
| goods selling at quality prices. | | | | Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #5 |
| Once you've decided to sew items for all those | | | | Sew like a sweat shop. |
| on you're your gift giving list, you need to come | | | | - Clear a space large enough to create in, maybe |
| up with a battle plan as well as a timetable to help | | | | in a place where you can leave everything out |
| you be successful. Here are seven tips to get you | | | | and not have to put away after each sewing |
| started: | | | | session. |
| Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #1 | | | | - Make the same item for several people on your |
| Now is not the time to learn how to make a | | | | list. Repetition creates confidence. Confidence |
| fitted jacket or a lined evening gown. Save that | | | | creates speed. |
| for when you have more time and a larger | | | | - If you are making four pairs of pajamas, for |
| budget. Stick with projects that are within your | | | | instance, sew each of them be in a different |
| current skill set. | | | | patterned fabric, but all in the same color family. |
| Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #2 | | | | That way you won't constantly be changing |
| Keep it simple. Simple does not mean "boring." | | | | threads. |
| There are just too many fabrics and trims out | | | | - Wind several bobbins before you start sewing. |
| there for anything to ever be boring again. | | | | - Have plenty of straight pins. |
| Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #3 | | | | - When it's time to sew, perform the same step |
| If you decide to sew garments, choose a | | | | on each of the items. For example, sew all the |
| forgiving pattern, something that doesn't require a | | | | inseams at one time. Then take them to the |
| fitting session. | | | | ironing board and press all the inseams at the |
| Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #4 | | | | same time. |
| When creating gift items, it's less stressful if you | | | | Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #6 |
| use a fabric that you're familiar with and won't | | | | If you don't feel confident in your skill to sew a |
| break your heart if you make a mistake and ruin | | | | complete garment, you can add your own |
| it. Sewing on cotton is a lot easier than working | | | | embellishments to ready-to-wear items - like |
| with slick manufactured fibers. | | | | beaded fringe on the bottom of jeans or turn little |
| Sewing Christmas Gifts - Tip #4 | | | | fabric yoyos into flowers and stitch on the |
| Don't overrate your speed and ability. Be realistic | | | | bottom of a little girl's skirt. Sew a purchased |
| when you figure how long it's going to take you | | | | soccer ball patch on a sweatshirt for your |
| to make an item. The large pattern | | | | nephew. |
| manufacturers have hundreds of patterns titled: | | | | |