Tag: DIY gifts

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Find Amazing Christmas Fabrics Online

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Now is the perfect time to start Christmas sewing projects! From pajamas or quilts, to placemats or stockings – getting a head start on gifts and home decor will mean less pressure and a more festive Christmas later. One way to find inspiration is to shop Christmas fabrics, and now is the time of year when most fabric stores begin to display holiday materials. But if your local fabric stores are not available, where can you find amazing Christmas fabrics online?

Etsy is a wonderful option for buying Christmas fabric online! With tons of smaller fabric sellers, each with a unique selection, you are bound to find one-of-a-kind fabrics for your projects. Here are some of my favorites:

Of course, there are plenty of other fabric stores on Etsy, and it is fun to explore!

If you prefer to shop the larger stores, here are two other options:

Joann Fabrics is an obvious choice. With 850 locations in 49 states, it is a go-to fabric store that offers curbside pick-up. Their site is easy to navigate and has a large selection of Christmas fabrics. Everything is organized by fabric type (cotton, flannel, fleece, etc.), which makes finding the appropriate fabric and comparing designs within a fabric type much easier.

Michael’s is another option, also with locations in 49 states and Canada. They offer curbside pick-up and same day delivery, though many of their Christmas fabrics are delayed due to high demand. The site is more difficult to navigate because the fabrics are not organized in any particular way, and when you search for Christmas fabrics, you still have to scroll to get to them. Comparison is difficult, and the selection is small, but the styles are cute.

If your summer is looking a little quieter due to shutdowns or stay-at-home plans, think fleece blankets, flannel pajamas, Christmas lap quilts or stockings – and start your fabric shopping now!

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Handmade Gifts and How to Plan for Them

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One thing that I love to do at Christmas is to surprise those closest to me with something handmade in addition to, or even instead of, other gifts. Handmade gifts can really reflect what you know and love about the other person, and they always show how much you care.

I have always wanted (but have never quite achieved) a Christmas where each person on my list received a handmade something from me. There are no shortage of gift ideas online and in craft books, of course, so it is never a question of picking things to make for my family and friends. In fact, I usually save gift ideas in my Christmas planner, or just in a list on my phone.

For me, it all comes down to time and planning. In order to have my handmade gifts ready for Christmas – and to enjoy the process of making them – it is essential to begin early. Handmade gifts should be made with love, not stress!

Now is a good time to start.

Decide which handmade gifts to make (and for whom).

The first thing to decide is to whom you’d like to give handmade gifts. Maybe you’ve seen a pattern or two for DIY gifts that would be perfect for a few people on your list. Start with those ideas or, conversely, begin with the recipients in mind. Either way, the first step is to list who will receive a handmade gift and what you plan to make for each person. The gift ideas should be fluid, as not every project will work the way you hoped, but by being flexible, you will be able to treat everyone on your list to something made by you.

Buy the materials now.

Two weeks ago I was at the fabric store and noticed that they already have a limited selection of Christmas fabrics. Within the coming months, there will be much more. But for most handmade gifts, specific Christmas materials are not needed. General craft supplies, fabrics and other materials may be purchased now, so that you have what you need and can work on the projects when you have the time over the coming months. Print out any patterns for your projects and keep them in your planner. Make a list of supplies and watch for sales.

Organize materials by project.

Because life is busy, you’ll want to be able to pull out your handmade gift projects whenever you have a chance to work on them – and without having to hunt for the pattern or materials. Use shoeboxes, or other small containers (even the extra-large Hefty zipper bags work great!) to keep all the related materials with the pattern so that you can easily pick up where you left off and complete the projects over time.

Store the handmade gifts safely.

As you complete your projects, store them in a gift closet or wherever you keep your early Christmas purchases. Make sure to note them on your planner and to congratulate yourself on a job well done!

Handmade Christmas gifts make the holiday extra special for the you, the giver, as well as the recipient. So enjoy a little Christmas spirit anytime, and start planning for handmade gifts today.

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