Honestly, I wasn't planning on making any Christmas gifts this year. I have enough going on, I told myself. But then, as I was going over my Christmas gift list, there are a few people who are just tricky to buy for. Someone to whom you would like to give a gift, but you don't want to embarrass them or make them feel awkward if they don't have a gift for you. Something hand made really fits that ticket I think. You didn't spend a lot, but made a thoughtful effort with them in mind. I think people appreciate that. I do anyway.
So, I had these holes in my gift list. What to do, what to do? Then yesterday morning I was browsing some blogs that I read regularly and came upon a link to American Patchwork and Quilting's One Million Pillowcase challenge. I clicked on the link, and was quickly blown away by some of the very creative FREE patterns for making pillowcases.
A basic pillowcase consists of just less than a yard of fabric for the main body of the case and a third of a yard for the contrasting bottom edge. Some folks got so creative with their ideas for making that bottom edge really fun and pretty. Check out Pattern 33 with the Spools border. What sewer wouldn't love to get that ? You could go crazy with your bottom borders, making pinwheels, piano keys, chevrons, churn dash blocks…the ideas are endless, and you can download these patterns for free.
What I love about making pillowcases is that you can match them to quilts you have made! I put these pillowcases I made with French General fabric on my bed with my Madeleine quilt, also made in French General, and look how sweet they look. I opted to make my first pillowcases in the basic design, and seriously, each one took about 20 minutes to make.
I bet if you think about it, you can come up with someone who you could make one or two pillowcases for. How about this idea? Make them in cozy plaid flannel fabric and give them to the trickiest group of people to give gifts to–teenage boys and young men!
45 responses to “A Little Elf Work”
Nicole–I love makiing pillowcases too! My own kids and nieces and nephews have been past recipients, as well as some charity organizations I have donated to. This year I am making 2 for a non-sewing friend to give to her grandchildren. What fun! Yes, they go together quickly and can be tailor made to anyone’s taste. Thanks for reminding people of this fun and easy homemade gift idea.
Linda
Nicole–I love makiing pillowcases too! My own kids and nieces and nephews have been past recipients, as well as some charity organizations I have donated to. This year I am making 2 for a non-sewing friend to give to her grandchildren. What fun! Yes, they go together quickly and can be tailor made to anyone’s taste. Thanks for reminding people of this fun and easy homemade gift idea.
Linda
Nicole–I love makiing pillowcases too! My own kids and nieces and nephews have been past recipients, as well as some charity organizations I have donated to. This year I am making 2 for a non-sewing friend to give to her grandchildren. What fun! Yes, they go together quickly and can be tailor made to anyone’s taste. Thanks for reminding people of this fun and easy homemade gift idea.
Linda
What a great idea Nicole. I love making gifts for people around the Christmas season but can never think of anything that is quick. Your quilt, pillow and pillowcases look great on your bed, love the French General line, they have the best looking fabric.
What a great idea Nicole. I love making gifts for people around the Christmas season but can never think of anything that is quick. Your quilt, pillow and pillowcases look great on your bed, love the French General line, they have the best looking fabric.
What a great idea Nicole. I love making gifts for people around the Christmas season but can never think of anything that is quick. Your quilt, pillow and pillowcases look great on your bed, love the French General line, they have the best looking fabric.
Wow! Love this idea and have lots of lovely flannels but also tartans which would look cozy this time of year.
Thanks a bazillion for the link and suggestions. Your French General Madeline quilt and matching pillow cases are a delight!
Hugs!
Wow! Love this idea and have lots of lovely flannels but also tartans which would look cozy this time of year.
Thanks a bazillion for the link and suggestions. Your French General Madeline quilt and matching pillow cases are a delight!
Hugs!
Wow! Love this idea and have lots of lovely flannels but also tartans which would look cozy this time of year.
Thanks a bazillion for the link and suggestions. Your French General Madeline quilt and matching pillow cases are a delight!
Hugs!
LOL! I make them every year for the grands, my friends’ grands, my kids and my friends. They are always a big hit and you are right – they are really great for those teenage guys!
LOL! I make them every year for the grands, my friends’ grands, my kids and my friends. They are always a big hit and you are right – they are really great for those teenage guys!
LOL! I make them every year for the grands, my friends’ grands, my kids and my friends. They are always a big hit and you are right – they are really great for those teenage guys!
I love the spools pillowcase ! just gorgeous ! Thanks for the link to these pillowcases. Are those leftover stars from Nantucket I see ? I never did make those for mine 🙁
Pillowcases are just the perfect gift… everyone loves them
I love the spools pillowcase ! just gorgeous ! Thanks for the link to these pillowcases. Are those leftover stars from Nantucket I see ? I never did make those for mine 🙁
Pillowcases are just the perfect gift… everyone loves them
I love the spools pillowcase ! just gorgeous ! Thanks for the link to these pillowcases. Are those leftover stars from Nantucket I see ? I never did make those for mine 🙁
Pillowcases are just the perfect gift… everyone loves them
I saw pillowcases that I love on Pinterest. They were made out of ticking (you can buy it at Joann’s) and the body and the “cuff” were the same. They put eyelet lace instead of the “flange”. Very pretty. Last Christmas I gave pillowcases as a hostess gift. Easy, peasy!
I saw pillowcases that I love on Pinterest. They were made out of ticking (you can buy it at Joann’s) and the body and the “cuff” were the same. They put eyelet lace instead of the “flange”. Very pretty. Last Christmas I gave pillowcases as a hostess gift. Easy, peasy!
I saw pillowcases that I love on Pinterest. They were made out of ticking (you can buy it at Joann’s) and the body and the “cuff” were the same. They put eyelet lace instead of the “flange”. Very pretty. Last Christmas I gave pillowcases as a hostess gift. Easy, peasy!
Yes, I plan to make a pillowcase for each child and for my secret santa at work. I drew the name of the woman for whom I made a King size Swoon quilt as a wedding gift this year. I have TONS of leftover tumblers blocks and I will incorporate them into the cuff. I had not thought about this until I read your blog! Thank you!!
Yes, I plan to make a pillowcase for each child and for my secret santa at work. I drew the name of the woman for whom I made a King size Swoon quilt as a wedding gift this year. I have TONS of leftover tumblers blocks and I will incorporate them into the cuff. I had not thought about this until I read your blog! Thank you!!
Yes, I plan to make a pillowcase for each child and for my secret santa at work. I drew the name of the woman for whom I made a King size Swoon quilt as a wedding gift this year. I have TONS of leftover tumblers blocks and I will incorporate them into the cuff. I had not thought about this until I read your blog! Thank you!!
great idea Nicole. I think I will definitely be using it. I love the FG pillowcases. Have a great weekend.
Mary
great idea Nicole. I think I will definitely be using it. I love the FG pillowcases. Have a great weekend.
Mary
great idea Nicole. I think I will definitely be using it. I love the FG pillowcases. Have a great weekend.
Mary
Hi Nicole. I just saw that Fat Quarter Shop has the AP&Q FEB. 2014 ISSUE you have been looking for with the quilt a long. It is 30% off for today only!!!!!!!
Always inspired by your blog. Thank you for all the time you put into it.
Hi Nicole. I just saw that Fat Quarter Shop has the AP&Q FEB. 2014 ISSUE you have been looking for with the quilt a long. It is 30% off for today only!!!!!!!
Always inspired by your blog. Thank you for all the time you put into it.
Hi Nicole. I just saw that Fat Quarter Shop has the AP&Q FEB. 2014 ISSUE you have been looking for with the quilt a long. It is 30% off for today only!!!!!!!
Always inspired by your blog. Thank you for all the time you put into it.
What a great idea! I do pillowcases for my family at Christmas a lot, and changing out the border with some quilting designs is a great idea. They’d love it.
What a great idea! I do pillowcases for my family at Christmas a lot, and changing out the border with some quilting designs is a great idea. They’d love it.
What a great idea! I do pillowcases for my family at Christmas a lot, and changing out the border with some quilting designs is a great idea. They’d love it.
I have some leftover Rouenneries from my quilt too – why on earth did I not think of making some simple pillowcases?! This is definitely going on my list! And what a great idea for Christmas presents too.
I have some leftover Rouenneries from my quilt too – why on earth did I not think of making some simple pillowcases?! This is definitely going on my list! And what a great idea for Christmas presents too.
I have some leftover Rouenneries from my quilt too – why on earth did I not think of making some simple pillowcases?! This is definitely going on my list! And what a great idea for Christmas presents too.
Me TOO ! I just made some out of flannel for my grandkids. Fabulous fabric choices to choose from and they are so colorful they can be the gift wrap around the present like a book, cd, pajamas.
Me TOO ! I just made some out of flannel for my grandkids. Fabulous fabric choices to choose from and they are so colorful they can be the gift wrap around the present like a book, cd, pajamas.
Me TOO ! I just made some out of flannel for my grandkids. Fabulous fabric choices to choose from and they are so colorful they can be the gift wrap around the present like a book, cd, pajamas.
beautiful! oh, the pillow cases are pretty too! ;p
beautiful! oh, the pillow cases are pretty too! ;p
beautiful! oh, the pillow cases are pretty too! ;p
Your pillow cases are really pretty and I remember when you made Madeleine…loved her then and love her now!
This is also a great gift idea.
Your pillow cases are really pretty and I remember when you made Madeleine…loved her then and love her now!
This is also a great gift idea.
Your pillow cases are really pretty and I remember when you made Madeleine…loved her then and love her now!
This is also a great gift idea.
Ooh Madeleine is beautiful! Where does that pattern come from? I find old men the hardest to buy for, my Dad in particular. He doesn’t want or need for things really, and the things he’s into are big expensive hobbies like sailing. I went with underwear again this year. At least I know he will use it!
Ooh Madeleine is beautiful! Where does that pattern come from? I find old men the hardest to buy for, my Dad in particular. He doesn’t want or need for things really, and the things he’s into are big expensive hobbies like sailing. I went with underwear again this year. At least I know he will use it!
Ooh Madeleine is beautiful! Where does that pattern come from? I find old men the hardest to buy for, my Dad in particular. He doesn’t want or need for things really, and the things he’s into are big expensive hobbies like sailing. I went with underwear again this year. At least I know he will use it!