How to Make Handmade Gifts for Kids

Special personalized pillows and blanket throws are great gifts if you have hard-to-shop-for kids on your holiday list. These handmade gifts are always appreciated. They can be used to lounge in front of the television or in a comfy chair while reading a good book. Pick novelty fabrics that match the recipient's age and special interests for one-of-a-kind handmade gifts. Plan, cut and sew several gifts at one time to quickly finish your holiday preparations.

Things You'll Need

• Four yards novelty fabric, 45 inches wide
• Fusible web, small amount
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Iron
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• 14-inch pillow form
• Quilt batting, 1 3/4 yards
• Sewing needle and thread

Instructions

Novelty Pillow with Pocket

1. Measure and cut a 6-inch square of fusible web. Place the fusible web on the back of the novelty fabric with the glue side down. Iron the fusible web to adhere. Cut out the fused fabric square. Peel the paper backing from the fused fabric and place it glue side down on the back of more novelty fabric. Iron the square to fuse. Cut the shape out. You will end up with a 6-inch-square fused-fabric sandwich. This is your pocket front.

2. Measure and cut two pieces from the novelty fabric 16 inches square, for the pillow front and back. Place one 16 inch-square on your work surface with the right side up. This is your pillow front. Place the pocket square in the center of the pillow front. Pin the pocket to the pillow front. Top stitch on three sides of the pocket using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. The unstitched side of the pocket is the top and the edges are left raw.

3. Place the pillow front and back together with the right sides facing and pin. Sew three sides of the pillow pieces together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Turn the pillow case right side out. Insert the pillow form. Fold the raw edges of the pillow case to the inside and pin the case closed. Hand sew the opening to finish.

Novelty Blanket Throw

1. Cut two pieces of novelty fabric 45 inches wide by 60 inches. Lay the quilt batting on the floor. Place one cut fabric piece right side up on the batting. Place the other fabric piece wrong side up on top of the first and pin.

2. Sew around the edges of the blanket throw using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Leave 8 inches open on one short edge. Trim the excess from the seam allowance to a 1/4 inch. Turn the blanket throw right side out. Fold the raw edges of the blanket to the inside and pin the blanket closed. Hand sew the opening closed.

3. Iron the seam edges of the blanket throw. Top stitch around the edges of the blanket using a 1/4-inch seam allowance to finish.

References

• Cyndee Kromminga, Craft and Interior Designer; Kro Crafts; Winfield, Kansas