…first attempts at handmade presents… and.. well, yeah.
Flashback to Christmas 2008. Joe had not given me my sewing machine yet, but I was already excited about diving further into sewing adventures. So I borrowed my mom’s machine to make family members a few gifts.
As always, Niece M. came first. I used a McCall’s pattern I found browsing the pattern selection at, yes, our local WalMart. I try not to frequent WalMart too much because of the usual accusations against it being bad for small local businesses, etc. etc. Plus the one near our house is always bizarrely crowded. But sometimes when you need to satisfy your craft retail fix beyond, say 6pm, WalMart is one of the few options you have. And you can’t argue with their prices! Instant gratification, what can I say.
It seems silly, in retrospect, to buy a pattern for something as straightforward as a Christmas stocking. But I had made two without a pattern a few years ago for my younger sisters and let’s just say you would’ve barely been able to squeeze 3 lumps of coal in them, they were so skinny. Though in practice, deciphering the instructions for the stocking were definitely maddening at times, for this first-timer. But, to be fair, diagrams could help so be sure to look for good step-by-step diagrams in patterns and pattern books you purchase if you’re a beginner!
The wood button at the heel is a very traditional Austrian button, often found on Loden outerwear. These jackets were traditionally felted wool jackets worn by peasants in the countryside, but they have of course evolved to epitomize traditional dress. And can be *quite* pricey. For example, Loden Plankl, a well known store located just behind the Hofburg (winter palace) in Vienna, loaded with gorgeous pieces! It was a nice throwback to our childhood in Austria and generously donated by my mom’s button box. The toe buttons were also scored from this treasure trove. They immediately brought back memories of my mom looking smart in a navy skirt suit set, with a few of these glam buttons going down the front. They also helped to weigh down the toe of the stocking nicely once they were hung!
I’m most proud of the hand-embroidered names on the stockings for M. and her cousin (on her dad’s side) A. (I realize the unaltered pictures completely defeat the purpose of only using their initials, but oh well.) I’m not proud of the white pen showing through on A.’s stocking, but I thought the names came out quite well, for a first (and last!) attempt at hand embroidery! You can see it better in the next picture.
For my grandmother, mother and mother-in-law to be, I made these little oven mitts. The pattern is by Vanilla House Designs. I was rather miffed that the two layers of Insul Bright batting didn’t really seem to work that well in protecting hands from very hot pots… but I suppose these are mostly decorative anyway.
A colleague at my former job had given me these very cute fabric coasters for Christmas one year so I decided to try to recreate similar ones. Here’s what I came up with… and I did some free-motion quilting, though I didn’t know that was what it’s called when I did it. So easy, and great for scraps of fabric!
The reversible table runner was also made without a pattern. I also put a layer or two of Insul Bright batting in here, so that it can double as a hot pad on the dining table. I think it turned out quite well, given that I had no idea what I was doing. This one was for my mom. I made a blue and gold one for my future mother-in-law. Both fit their tables well and make appearances at Christmases and Thanksgivings :)
The great thing about making little presents for family and other loved ones is how supportive and encouraging they are, even when the final goods aren’t finished to perfection.
