Christmas gifts - in january....

Hello neclected blog - I must admit I'm constantly cheating on you with my favorite Instagram..

Merry belated christmas and happy belated new year to you. I hope you had a wonderful time. I had almost two weeks off from work and spend the time with family and friends - and quite a few hours in my sewing room. Such a bliss.

My new year resolution is to update this blog on a more regular basis. Let's see how that goes.

I have shown the below pictures of the christmas gifts I made for friends and family on Instagram before, but I like to make a blog post with them all - at least I'll then remember not to make the same next year...

I made quite a few christmas gifts this year. I try to make something I hope the recipient will like - and something that doesn't require too much fitting.

This year I have been most happy about the laceblouses I made. They are all made from elastic lace purchased locally from shops with no website - sorry. The two blouses are from a turtleneck pattern from the november issue of Burdastyle and the cami is selfdrafted. The two turtlenecks have a zipper in the back and are closed with a small button.

And the kimono craze continues...

I made this size 7 kimono in polar fleece for my niece with a matching one for her teddy.

I made this blue kimono for my husband. He has been asking for one for a long time, so it was about time to make him one. He has been using it almost everyday since, som I guess he likes it! I would have liked to show you a picture of him wearing it, but he couldn't be persuaded to pose in it on the www.. He mumbled something about future job options...

This last kimono is my favorite. I made it for my sister in a lovely liberty tana lawn - a long resident in my stash. In fact I actually gave her a toiletry bag last year from the same fabric. About time she got the matching robe right? She's on maternal leave right now and lets be honest - There are quite a few days you never get out of your robe when entertaining wee babies, so the robe better be pretty.

This last gift is a woolen scarf for my mum and almost doesn't qualify as sewing. It came with a pair of silver snowflake earrings. I almost kept this scarf to myself since I like the fabric so much. It's a teal wool blend with subtle flowers from Stofdepotet. I'm afraid the fabric is now sold out.

I have already started planning my sewing for spring. More about this later - had to wrap up christmas first! Have you started considering what to sew for spring? Right now I'm mostly thinking about dresses, floaty blouses and a new spring coat... So many options, so little time..

Happy sewing

Mette

Christmas presents - my list

I know - a homemade present isn't everybody's cup of tea, but occassionally I do like to make a little something for my unsuspecting friends and family. I like the idea of making something personal especially for this person. But what to make? I don't like to force anything on anybody, that I'm not totally sure of - especially if it's clothes. Clothes is such a sensible topic since it must not be to big (do you think I'm this fat?) or too small (will not be used) and has to be the right style.. I'm afraid these thoughts mostly is something I'm thinking about when making gifts for the ladies in my life. Usually (young) kids or men are not that fussy - or have more of an ecclectic style (ahem))

I've tried to make a little list of my surgestions for gifts. Some I've previously made - but I'm not showing this years production until after the big reveal on christmas eve (here in Denmark we open the gifts on the 24th in the evening).

The kimono

My favorite this year is the bathrobe - or for the more fashionable; the kimono. A bathrobe or a kimono is a sure winner since there is no need for fitting (that much) and it's pretty easy to sew. I've made a few in the past you can see here:

One for my sister:

One for me:


You can find the pattern I've used here


And I've even made a kimono size 6 and size teddy:

If you want to make a more out-of-the-house sort of kimono there are loads of free patterns online. I'm planning to sew up one of these in a lush silk velvet for christmas for ME and I plan to use this pattern:



Find it herhere

Lace

Another great gift for the ladies is anything with lace... If you choose a stretch lace it can be quite forgiving fit wise and still look impressive. I've previously sewn lace panties for myself, but that might be a bit strange to sew lace underwear (unless it's for your girlfriend) - but a lace camisole or a lace t-shirt wouldn't be uncomfortable to unwrap in front of the in laws. I've made this one a few month ago just using an old camisole as a pattern:

T-shirts

If you find some great fabric a t-shirt could make a good present. There are many good patterns online but my favorites are the free t-shirt patterns the Hemlock T-shirt and the Kirsten Kimono T-shirt.They are both easy to make and not formfitting.

Kirsten Kimono tee

Hemlock


Find it here

Make up pung

Makeup pouches and other pouches are also good gifts - perhaps including a nice handcream or perfume.. A lot of free tutorials can be found online. I haven't used this specific one- but it looks fine to me. It's made by the lovely Anna from Plan B:



You can download the free pattern here


Have you made any handmade presents yet - or do you plan to? Please spill the beans if you have any good surgestions!


Happy sewing

Mette