Mark your calendars, quilters: it is only about eleven weeks until Christmas. If you just did the math and felt a little flutter of panic, take a deep breath. There is plenty of time to make something handmade, and some of the best gifts take just an afternoon.
Here at A Touch of Patience, just outside Taft on Bayside Highway 136, we love a handmade gift. Here are a few projects to try, with options for every skill level.
Mug rugs: the quick win
A mug rug is a small quilted mat for a coffee cup and a cookie. You can finish one in an evening, and they are a wonderful way to use up a favorite fat quarter. Make a handful at once and you have gifts for teachers, neighbors, and coworkers.
Table runners: the crowd pleaser
A table runner feels impressive, but it is a very friendly project for beginners. A few strips, a simple pattern, and some binding, and you have a gift someone will bring out every year. This is a favorite in our classes, too.
Fabric ornaments: small and sweet
Little quilted ornaments are perfect for scraps and for using up a little something from the shop. They also ship easily if you have family far away.
A simple lap quilt: for the ambitious
If you have a few weekends and a plan, a throw-size quilt is a wonderful gift. Choose a straightforward pattern and large pieces, and give yourself a finish date well before the 25th. If you would like help with the quilting, ask us about long-arm services early, because that is also when schedules fill.
Choosing fabric that makes the gift
Fabric does half the work. For a first project, pick two or three prints that play well together and add a solid to rest the eye. Holiday prints are fun, but a cozy plaid or a rich winter color works all season long and keeps the gift from feeling dated in January. If you are not sure, bring in the recipient’s favorite color and let us pull a few bolts for you to touch and compare. Seeing colors together in person beats guessing from a screen every time.
Tips for finishing on time
Pick one project, not five. Choose your fabric first, cut everything in one session, and set a small goal for each evening. And do not be shy about asking questions. We are glad to help you pick a pattern that matches your skill and your deadline.
Come see what is new
Our shelves are full of fall and holiday fabric, along with kits that take the guesswork out of choosing. Stop by to pet the fabric, ask for ideas, and ask about our next classes and workshops. Our [INTERNAL LINK: classes or events page] classes page has the latest, and beginners are always welcome. We were all new once!
What is the best handmade gift you have ever given or received? Tell us in the comments!
Classes fill up fast, and new fabric goes quick. Subscribe and you will never miss a new fabric drop or class signup at A Touch of Patience.
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