THE ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE FOR SEWING PRESENTS

It’s time team. It’s time to think about what gifts you will sew (if any) before time runs away. Only five weeks remain before Christmas stockings need to be filled, so any desire to sew handmade gifts needs to be dealt with pronto!

We’ve got a range of fantastic patterns for you to mull over and have whittled down the options to some pretty perfect present ideas.

We’ve created the ultimate gift guide to sewing extra special presents for everyone in your life. And we mean everyone! And we have created a whole section of FREE sewing patterns (and, I promise you they are really good). Grab a mulled wine or hot chocolate, notepad and get planning!

1. Helen’s Closet Unisex Wildwood Jacket and Vest – a fab warming layering that will teach you how to sandwich layers of fabric and batting together to create a lovely quilted textile. Make one for yourself too!
2. FREE Merchant & Mills Hot Water Bottle Cover – this is a perfect gift for anyone you’re not sure what to buy. Who doesn’t love a hot water bottle and the pattern is FREE!
3. Victory Patterns Atlas Mittens – designed for use with mostly upcycled materials, such as recycled knit sweaters, wool and leather goods, there are several fabrication options for you to personalise these mittens.
4. Melilot Child/Adult Knut Hood – a quick and easy-to-sew that will transform any jacket into one with a hood! You can make it from wool scraps, a heavyweight jersey or an old sweater. This pattern is suitable for beginners.
5. Named Delia Beanie – if you’re short of time you can whip this pattern up in a flash! It’s a very simple and quick-to-make knit beanie that looks great personalised.

1. Sew Liberated Nocturne Pajamas – in my opinion, PJs are the loveliest gifts to receive and the loose, flowy fit of Nocturne should make them a good pattern to make for others.
2. Helen’s Closet Unisex Arbutus Robe – you can’t go wrong with a robe. Make this unisex pattern out of drapey satin for a luxurious feel, or get cosy and make it in fleece or terry cloth.
3. Sew DIY Unisex Quilted Slippers – Christmas isn’t complete without a fresh pair of slippers. The quilted exterior is constructed by quilting a layer of fabric and batting together or you can use pre-quilted fabric for a quicker project.
4. Pattern Paper Scissors Family Perri PJs Bundle – there’s plenty of family fun to be had in matching PJs at Christmas, the shops are full of them and you can sew your own!
5. Named Lahja Unisex Dressing Gown – I made this for myself and my husband and have never looked back. This pattern looks great made from waffle cotton for ‘spa robe’ vibes.

1. Fibre Mood Giti Mobile Phone Bag – perfect for the person in your life who is always rummaging around in their bag looking for their ‘lost phone’. They won’t bother you with that problem when you gift them this!
2. Atelier Scämmit Buenos Aires Bag – you can sew everyone something different with this bag pattern as there are a total of 180 possible variations. But don’t forget to sew yourself one!
3. Kylie & the Machine Mule Tote – tote bags are oh-so-useful and this pattern is a winner. The standard size makes a great shopping tote, and the maxi size is perfect for anyone who likes to lug the kitchen sink around with them!
4. Klumhouse Woodland Dopp Kit – this little pouch can be sewn for many purposes and filled with bits to complete the gift. Maybe make one for the stationary lover in your life and fill it with pens and pencils or for the beauty lovers and fill it with pampering treats.
5. Veronica Tucker Frankie Bag – a sweet reversible tote (two bags in one!) with a pocket and knotted shoulder ties. It would look great in party fabrics.

1. Merchant & Mills Betty Apron – spoil the cooks in your life with an apron they can treasure. Forget fiddly ties, Betty slips over the head apron with a pretty crossover back.
2. Thread Theory Woodhaven Apron– sew an essential workwear accessory for the workshop or kitchen. Customise the pockets on this apron depending on your loved one’s craft of choice.
3. Grainline Studio Field Bag – the way to your crafty pal’s heart is a way to organise it! The Field Bag is designed to organise knitting, sewing, embroidery, or other works-in-progress.
4. Lasenby Samphire Duffle Project Bag – have a friend who won’t waste a moment travelling? This compact project bag is perfect for knitting and crocheting on the go and can also morph into a basket for crafting at home.
5. Sew Liberated Studio Tunic – this clever tunic has been pretty popular since its launch. With roomy pockets for all the treasures and tools that you might need in your day in the kitchen, studio, garden or on the hiking trail, whatever their craft, they will love this gift.

1. Merchant & Mills Francli Pocket Bag – dog walkers might appreciate this small-but-mighty bag to stuff their poo bags and treats into one handy-to-access place.
2. Poppy & Jazz Poppy Dog Coat – this little dog coat is reversible so you can choose two different fun fabrics. How about a cosy fleece layer on one side and a smart corduroy on the other?
3. Merchant & Mills Grove Creations Bundle – are you (or do you know someone) who can’t say no to their pup? The topper in this bundle is ideal for covering a sofa your dog might want to jump on!
4. Merchant & Mills Barka Parka – dogs deserve to be stylish (and dry) too! Maybe a festive coat is in order for a Christmas to remember?!
5. Fibre Mood Nousha Bag – another great option for dog walkers who like to stuff all the required bits into a bag for the early morning walk. Make this viral Uniqlo bag dupe from a shower-proof fabric to make it even more practical.

1. Juliana Martevjevs Kelly Coat – this clever pattern is designed to be sewn completely by hand (which reads: from the sofa to me!). The trendsetter in your life will love the blanket stitch finish.
2. Noodlehead Haralson Bag – this hands-free beauty is perfect for daily use and is quite possibly the nicest gift to receive.
3. Wardrobe by Me Half Zip Sweater – half zip styles are dominating the sweatshirt trends this season so is a very giftable choice. It looks particularly cosy in fleece fabric.
4. Fibre Mood Gabriela Bodywarmer– this cute quilted number is such a fun and practical piece to sew for somebody. The ties make it feel feminine and you can play around with colourblocking and prints.
5. Sew Love Patterns Whitcomb Top – this is the ultimate pattern to make for someone else. This beginner-friendly make can be sewn in either woven or knit fabric or a combination of the two.

1. Wardrobe by Me Men’s Boxer Shorts – whip up a batch of boxers to refresh what is potentially a tired underwear drawer! The pattern is designed for lightweight woven fabric in a fibre such as cotton, but jersey fabric can be used if you size down one size.
2. Klumhouse Slabtown Backpack – this heavy-duty rolltop backpack is great for cyclists and adventurers. It’s a very useful make that should be worth the effort.
3. Sew Over It Unisex Drew Hoodie – everyone loves a cosy hoodie… you just can’t go wrong! The Drew instructions include mock flat felled seams for a nice ready-to-wear finish that can be achieved with a regular sewing machine.
4. Ensemble Condon (Bernie) Mittens – these fun mittens can make use of old upcycled sweaters or scraps to make these warm and fuzzy mittens. They are iconic!
5. Merchant & Mills Docker Beanie – if you want to sew a gift on a smaller scale, this classic six-panelled beanie, featuring a turned-up band and elasticated back should be pretty quick to whip up.

1. Below the Kōwhai Baby/Child/Teen Honu Vest (Quilted) – sew the cutest little gift to pop under the tree! This trendy, folksy and fun layering piece for boys and girls would be ultra-sweet made in Christmas fabric.
2. Poppy & Jazz Pomegranate Pyjamas – make bedtime extra magical with me-made PJs! Designed for 18 months – 6 years, they would be adorable made in festive prints.
3. Noodlehead Road Trip Case – this portable case is easy to customise and perfect for organising craft supplies, anything from crayons to sewing notions – perfect for little ones on the go!
4. Chalk and Notch Mini Page Hoodie – just like adults, kids love hoodies and the mini version of the Page Hoodie is a great pattern to sew for kids. They won’t want to take it off!
5. Waves & Wild Cool Time Lunch Bag – make packed lunches more fun with a handmade carrier! You could pick a print to suit their favourite thing and they will love lunchtime.

1. Merchant & Mills Stocking – a stylish Christmas stocking to decorate any mantelpiece and utilise leftover fabric. Merchant & Mills will be donating 100% of the sales for this pattern to UNICEF.
2. Melilot Unisex Maggi Sweatshirt – if you’re thinking of making Christmas sweaters this year, this is the perfect base for any fun decorations you might want to add.
3. Lasenby Star Garland – sew sweet decorations that will be enjoyed for years to come with this garland. You might be able to use up some scraps while you’re at it!
4. Lasenby Borage Table Accessories – sew your favourite homebody table accessories that will elevate Christmas lunch year after year. An easy and pleasing gift to sew and receive!
5. Paper Pattern Scissors Christmas Stocking – don’t let their stockings get muddled up by personalising them! This easy-to-follow pattern includes appliqué patterns for stars, letters and numbers.

I wanted to include some free sewing patterns in this gift guide – all of which lend themselves to batch sewing so you can save on the pattern and your time!

1. FREE Juliana Martejevs Silvie Scrunchie – there’s no easier project to whip up than scrunchies. You could make them in silken fabrics and gift them in sets of three for a luxurious present.
2. FREE Lasenby Teasel Knitting Pouch – a handy piece for those yarn-lovers in your life. This freebie is quick and easy to sew!
3. FREE Merchant & Mills Bucket Hat – this has been the hat of the season so I am sure your recipient will be thrilled to be gifted this useful piece.
4. FREE Simplicity Clutch Bag SP113 – a clutch is a mighty useful bag to have in your wardrobe and this simple pattern is great for sewing gifts.
5. FREE Merchant & Mills Drawstring Bag –  a drawstring bag is a useful thing to have but doubles up as a really lovely gift bag. A template is also included for optional ‘Stuff’ embroidery.