DIY handmade Christmas gifts

Hello there, hope we all had a great Christmas celebration with our family and friends.  I was busy with a few last minute sewing for myself, and also family.  I thought I'd try make myself some grocery bag dispensers with some old bedsheets which I have.

Easy beginner's sewing projects - DIY handmade Christmas gifts (2013)

Infinity scarf
Refashion an existing scarf
http://www.twotwentyone.net/2013/04/how-to-turn-a-regular-scarf-into-an-infinity-scarf/

Grocery bag dispenser

Materials used:
Singer 160, thread
Old bed sheets.  Medium weight cotton.
Cut 1 piece of rectangle of size 22" L x 18" W
Scrap piece of 1" width brown grosgrain ribbon and 1" white satin ribbon
Elastic - 2 pieces of 6mm width x 5-6" length (I used only one piece per grocery bag holder as I prefer to have a big open top to slip in plastic bags easily)

For a tutorial on how to make a grocery bag dispenser

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2009/01/grocery-bag-holder.html


Grocery tote bag

Fabric from old bed sheets

cut 2 x 18" length x 17" width.

Straps - cut 2 x  12" length x 2.5" width

seam allowances 1/2 "

finished size: 16" x 17".

Headbands for girls and women
http://blissfulsewing.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/cloth-headband-free-sewing-pattern.html

Table runner
http://www.twotwentyone.net/2013/11/20-handmade-gift-ideas/

iPad bag or case
http://oneshabbychick.typepad.com/one_shabby_chick/2011/01/an-ipad-cover-tutorial.html

I started mine off as a trial and error sewing project, but thought I share what I found online that resembles most what I did.

Materials used:

All-purpose foot
Sewing machine - Singer 160 and matching colour thread
allow 1/2" seam allowances each side
Actual iPad with plastic case measures approximately 8.5" W x 10.5" L x 1.5" thickness
Outer fabric and inner fabric used - same style and print, 4 pieces of 12.5' x 8.5" or
2 pieces of 25" x 10.5" (Fabric used was Filligree Textiles Pty Ltd, Noah's Ark uncoated Decor fabric. 100% Cotton
Flap:  2 pieces of 10.5" x 5" or 1 piece of 10.5" x 10" (i cut the latter)
Elastic loop - 8cm
Button - 2-3cm diameter
Batting - cut to same size as the outer fabric and inner lining
I allowed 2" extra for seams and bit of room
Inner pocket:  1 piece of 10.5" x 5".  I found the 5" height too shallow to contain earphones or other accessories, so will try a depth of 8-10" next time.

I sewed the hems of the inner pockets first, then top stitch onto the right side of one of the exterior piece.

Also, I did not quilt the batting onto the fabric, only sewed it to the sides within the seam allowances.  Next time I will sew batting to outer fabric and then quilt a pattern by top-stitching straight lines, as it looks flatter and less bulk.

The elastic loop was sewed when I attached the flaps together.

iPad bag with a flap, button and elastic loop.

Ipad bag

I made this using some old mattress protector wadding and uncoated decor fabric

Cushion covers - envelope style, no zippers or buttons used

http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/envelopepillow.htm

Sewing project - easy short sleeve peasant dress for toddler 2-3T

Here's one of my recent sewing project, made using some fabric stash given to me.  I think the fabric was a polycotton blend.  Ribbons used were 9mm width polyester, machine washable.  The short sleeves and dress were made from adjusting the sleeve pattern and original bodice pattern from Emma Hardy's book, Making Children's Clothes.

Materials used:
124x100cm fabric
Pink grosgrain ribbon, 9mm width x 12cm?
Ribbons - approximately 9mm width x 80cm length?
Elastic for neckline - 6mm x 16.5" length.
Sewing machine and brown polyester thread


For similar tutorials and patterns on how to make a short sleeve peasant dress, check this out:

http://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2012/11/howtomakeapeasantdress.html

My own version of the "ice cream social dress"

This is basically a patternless toddler dress.  Just cut your fabrics into rectangles to fit your child's height and chest.

To determine fabric width for the main bodice, use this as a guide: twice the chest width measurement.  Eg. 22" chest measurement, use 44" with for fabric.

Eg. If you want the dress length to be 20", then add 3" for seam allowances and for gathering the top part.

Materials used:

White with floral print cotton fabric 45" width x 16" length - main bodice
Pink floral polyester cotton fabric 45" width x 4" length - bottom border
Shoulder straps - 2 pieces of white fabric same as main bodice, 7" width x 16" length
White elastic 20mm width x 20" length for the chest section.  Can be made shorter for a tighter fit, like 19" length
Elastic for shoulder straps 2 pieces of 6mm (1/4") width x 7.5" length.  In hindsight, I could use shorter length, e.g. 7"?

Where I found the pattern and tutorial:
http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2010/05/ice-cream-social-dress.html

The finished measurement of this dress is 16.5" length, with 8" straps for shoulders.  This suits my toddler of 2.5 year old.  She wore it to a birthday party for the first time.

gathered dress with frilled elastic sleeves

gathered dress with frilled elastic sleeves - top part