Cute beginner project to give as a gift? (POST #6: UPDATE W/ PIC & QUESTION)

[limabean]

Two of my aunts have birthdays coming up, and I thought it'd be nice to sew them their gifts. I'm a beginner though -- I've just made a pillowcase dress and burp cloths so far.

Any ideas for cute beginner projects I could give them as gifts? (One is in her 50s, the other is in her 70s if that makes a difference, but they're both really hip and just awesome in general. )

[ms.shell]

simple bags are really easy. or smaller projects like eyeglass cases are even easier. one of the first easy gifts i made was for my mom; it's called a pareau. All it is is a big piece of fabric hemmed on all sides, which can be used as a blanket or shawl or skirt or whatever. I made a little stuff sack for it and my mom keeps it in their car to use on trips. I made it years ago and she frequently mentions how much she has enjoyed it- she's a big car napper (my dad drives).
key fobs are another super easy gift idea.
Also, throw pillows are easy to make. imo, so is a lap quilt, if you do simple "in the ditch" quilting.

not sewing, but simple earrings or beaded bracelets are easy, inexpensive, and super quick to make up.

Good luck!

[KristyDi]

Another vote for bags of some kind. Purses or re-usable shopping bags. Or there's this wallet tutorial I've been meaning to make. Looks simple enough.

There's this messenger bag. I've made 6 of these for gifts and loved them. You don't have to applique if you use cool fabric. But if you want to give it a try (and you really should at some point because it's easy and looks impressive) here's a tute for that too.

[limabean]

Awesome ideas! I'll make some stuff for them and also get started on some Christmas projects with these ideas -- thank you so much!

[justKate]

[limabean]

Thanks again for the suggestions! I made an eyeglass case today and it came out really cute. (Pardon the photo quality, I took it with my phone.)

Also, since taking that photo I topstitched around the opening to make it look more finished, and I have some questions about that. Since the opening is so narrow, it wouldn't fit over my machine, even with the free arm. So I had to topstitch from the inside out, kind of like in this photo but for topstitching. Is it okay to do that? I always thought you were supposed to topstitch on the "right" side, but the way I had to do it, it's the underside of the stitches that show -- does that matter? It looks fine, but I just wonder if there's an easier way to do it since I'm going to be making 6 more of these over the next few days -- I'd appreciate any help!

[limabean]

Anyone have an answer to my topstitching question?

[rainbowmoon]

very cute! love the fabrics!

I think it is fine the way you topstiched it. whatever works, right? as long as it looks good when you are done!

[oceangalca]

I love the eyeglass case. Did you use any particular pattern? I'd love to make something similar for my mom's new sunglasses but like you I am a beginner sewer and could use all the guidance I can get.

Thanks, Patti

[limabean]

Originally Posted by oceangalca

I love the eyeglass case. Did you use any particular pattern? I'd love to make something similar for my mom's new sunglasses but like you I am a beginner sewer and could use all the guidance I can get.

Thanks, Patti

Hi, and thank you!

I used a combination of these two tutorials:

First
Second

The first is where I got my color inspiration and the idea for making the contrasting band around the top.

The second is the one I used for the actual construction technique (but I did the quilting like in the first link), except I topstitched around the opening at the end, so mine aren't reversible (I didn't think it look finished enough the reversible way).

ETA: I made one for myself too, but am using it as a cell phone cozy instead of an eyeglass case.

[sunnysandiegan]

FWIW, you can topstitch inside out or right side out in the same manner as shown in the above pic. Ignore the free-arm and just keep the item in the correct position by going slowly. It generally looks best to topstitch on the right side of the fabric.

[limabean]

Originally Posted by sunnysandiegan

FWIW, you can topstitch inside out or right side out in the same manner as shown in the above pic. Ignore the free-arm and just keep the item in the correct position by going slowly. It generally looks best to topstitch on the right side of the fabric.

I knew there was a better way to do it -- thank you!

[justKate]

Thanks for the tutorials! Your case looks great.