Holiday Gifting Pt. 2

With that Thanksgiving turkey under the belt, the holiday season is officially underway, and the clock is ticking on getting those perfect holiday gifts.

If you didn’t find everything you needed on Black Friday, take your time to make something special. I have a few how-tos for you that will be superb for your tech-savvy friend, the dapper man (or woman) in your life or for that hostess with the “mostess.”

The three projects included today are an iPad cover, a stylish handmade tie and an Anthropologie rip-off. I cringed the last time I was in Anthropologie and saw mason jar snow globes selling for almost $40 a pop. They cost less than $5 to make and less than 5 minutes to assemble. Curse you Anthropologie, but I love everything in your store.

Let’s start with the iPad cover. I change the way that I make these every time (all two of them, thus far). You can improvise because the base of the project is so simple and it’s easy to add embellishments. You can also modify your measurements to make a cover for an iPod, iPhone and other non-Apple products.

iPad Cover

Materials:
fusible tape
soft felt fabric (for the lining)
fun fabric (for the outside of the cover)
iron
sewing machine
scissors
tape measure
needle and thread

How-to:
Cut two pieces of soft felt fabric to the size of an iPad (7.31″ x 9.5″) with about an extra inch of fabric all the way around. Pin the fabrics together leaving the top open for iPad entry. Sew a 1/2 inch seam allowance around the sides to create your pocket. Cut out a piece of cardboard to the size of the iPad (if you don’t have one) to test your felt pocket; you can always make your pocket a little bit smaller if it’s not quite snug enough

Once you have the right size, cut off the excess fabric and lay the pocket on top of your fun outer fabric. Cut this crazy fabric about an inch longer all the way around and do the same thing you did with your first piece. I also leave about an extra inch or two of fabric at the top opening of this pocket. This way I have freedom to play around. Sew a 1/2 inch seam allowance around the pocket leaving the top open. You will now have two pockets, the outer slightly larger than the inner.

Next, I like to make sure both of my pockets are inside out and then line up the two bottom corners of the fabrics. Tac the two corners together with a couple of quick stitches to keep the lining secure.

Turn the outer piece of fabric to its right side and around the lining. I had some excess fabric at the top opening of my outer layer so I used fusible tape and an iron to create a nice fold all the way around. I also created a small fold to make a clean edge on my lining, and I then used my fusible tape toward the top edges to secure the two layers together.

Now, this is where you can improvise. Add buttons to create the initial of the recipient, make a button latch to keep the iPad secure or leave just as is. This makes a lovely personalized gift for that special techie someone.
_

Anthropologie snow globes

Materials:
Mason jars (any size!)
little Christmas trees
tinsel, glitter, fake snow, etc.
mini pine cones
hot glue gun (optional)

How-to:
I did not glue my trees to the jars because I wanted to use them again for other purposes. I do, however, recommend that you start that way, by gluing the base of your tree to the lid of the jar. Next, add glitter or fake snow to the bottom of your jar (you might want to play around with materials here. Some stuff will stick to the tree. A chunky glitter works best).  You can add pine cones and tinsel to separate jars to create a nice table setting. These are great gifts to bring to a party or holiday dinner.

Suck it, Anthropologie.

Men’s or Women’s Tie

Materials:
I’ve been using knit and wool fabrics mostly
scissors
fusible tape
seam ripper
iron
sewing machine
old tie for pattern
needle and thread

How-to:
Use a seam ripper to dismantle an old tie—preferably one that you like the style and length. This will be your pattern. Iron the old tie pieces (should be two separate) flat and lay over your fabric of choice. Pin the tie pattern to the fabric and cut out your new tie pieces.

Line up your angles on the ends of the tie and stitch the two pieces together. Iron seam flat.

Now, this is the tricky part. Cut out two triangular pieces of fabric for your tie tips.   Fold the two pieces together with the tip inside and with the wrong side of the fabric facing out.  Tac the fabrics together about a half inch down from the point of your tie.

Now use your sewing machine to stitch up both angles up to the point you just made.  Turn the tip inside out and this should form smooth edges for you.

Now, using fusible tape and an iron, fold about 1/4 to a 1/2 inch of the fabric all the way around the tie to create neat edges.   Next, continue to fold until you get the shape of a tie and press flat with your iron. You can use more fusible tape at this point if you like.

Finally, you will use an invisible stitch to secure the length of the back of the tie. You don’t want any stitches showing.

Press again when you are finished and wear! Check out this video for a visual aid.

Don’t feel like making a tie? Come to Hover Craft on December 3 and buy one from me! Hooray! Happy holiday gifting, and stay tuned for Part 3 of the gifting series, when I’ll give you a couple last minute gift ideas, along with thoughts on wrapping.