Tabla de contenidos para Gifts to Make en Threads Magazine

As we get closer to the holiday season, it’s only natural that gift-giving would be at the forefront of our minds. Depending on your nature, by this time of year, you’re gearing up for—or cringing at the thought of—the chaotic shopping season that lies ahead. I am somewhere in the middle. I love to shop, but despite my grand intentions of finding the most perfect gifts, I get caught up in the day-to-day must-dos and inevitably end up at the mall at the last minute, desperately trying to find something that says “I think the world of you.” Needless to say, this is not a fruitful, relaxing, or particularly fulfilling way to shop for my friends and loved ones. So, this year, I have decided to break my last-minute-gift-shopping cycle.…

ALABAMA STITCH BOOK By Natalie Chanin (Stewart, Tabori, & Chang, 2008) Designer Natalie Chanin made a name for herself using Southern needlework skills to transform cotton jersey into high fashion. Her book begins with her story and then offers patterns and directions for twenty projects to help you master jersey transformation and capture that classic country feel. (AlabamaChaninStore.com, $35) THE QUILTER’S CATALOG By Meg Cox (Workman Publishing, 2008) Approaching quilting from an all-new journalistic angle, reporter and long-time quilter Meg Cox leaves no square unturned. In 600 pages, she covers cuttingedge techniques, top quilting teachers and their advice, twelve projects from celebrity teachers, and guides to Web sites, patterns, shows, and more. (Workman.com, $18.95) ReMAKE ReSTYLE ReUSE (Watson-Guptill Publications, 2008) Parisian author Sonia Lucano has an eye for the unexpectedly…

With just a few supplies and simple steps, the possibilities for these do-it-yourself rings are endless. Lost a favorite earring? Clip off the earring hook and turn the pendant into a ring. Holding onto a big button for a special project? Here’s the perfect solution. Once you start making these rings, you’ll never want to spend money on store-bought ones again. Better yet, you can create a ring to go with any outfit! CHRISTINA LOFF lives and crafts in San Francisco, California. You can read more about her crafty life on her blog—BorrowedBoughtStolen.blogspot.com. Supplies & sources • Buttons (MJTrim.com, WhizBangFabrics.com) • Epoxy or jewelry/craft glue (Michaels.com) • Ring bases (JansJewels.com) • Optional: > Watch pieces (flea markets, eBay.com) > Beads (FireMountainGems.com) > Plastic rings (MJTrim.com) Quick and easy This is the quickest…

Scarves are popular fashion accessories, available in myriad colors, fabrics and designs. But if you’re interested in setting trends rather than following them, take the time to create a unique one-of-a-kind design by adding dressed up details such as tailored tucks and hand-beading to a store-bought chiffon scarf. Not only will your scarf stand out from the rest, you’ll create an accessory that is a rich combination of color, texture and movement. Don’t be daunted by chiffon’s shifty reputation; we’ll teach you to tame this featherweight fabric. With just a few simple techniques, you’ll be on your way to creating the perfect gift or just the scarf you need to make your own fashion statement. KATRINA WALKER is an apparel designer, sewing educator, and member of The Silk Experience. She offers…

Instead of searching for just the right gift for a good friend, why not knit one? While you’re at it, make one for yourself—the friendship shawl is intended to be enjoyed in twos. As part of the prayershawl movement, we created the friendship shawl to symbolize the support and comfort we enjoy in a close friendship. Say a prayer (see the one at right) before you begin knitting or as you knit. This shawl incorporates three different types of yarn: worsted (plain), bouclé (fancy), and novelty (fashion). The mix and matched trio of yarns are knit together with a simple pattern. That simplicity allows you to whip together these cozy, knitted wraps in short order. Excerpted from The Prayer Shawl Companion (Taunton Press, 2008) by Janet Bristow and Victoria A.…

I ’ve always been a fan of making interesting projects out of everyday materials. Cardboard boxes can become houses or cars, egg cartons can become bright yellow daffodils, and scraps of fabric can quickly become a new wardrobe for a doll or teddy bear. Here, I’ll show you how to transform a handful of socks into a sweet, stuffed toy octopus. The Socktopus makes a perfect gift for any little one on your list; it is unique, safe for all ages, and doesn’t cost much to make. One of my favorite tasks in this project is choosing the socks. I like to try different color combinations from the array of ladies’ trouser socks available. Beyond color, I often mix and match patterns and textures to vary the look and feel…

After taking the time to choose the right wrapping paper and ribbons, too often we finish off presents with plain or ordinary tags that add little to the overall presentation of the gift. Instead, why not take the opportunity to give it a personal touch by making the gift tag yourself? With a little bit of work, you’ll reap the accolades. To jazz up your gifts with an adorable gift tag, just follow this simple cut-paper design. Use the card templates on p. 81 (note that they can be scaled as needed) or create your own design. Select a colored card stock that complements your wrapping paper, continue to make the necessary cuts, and glue the pieces together. It’s so easy. You’ll soon realize these tags are the perfect final…

COMMON TERMS Get to know these craft terms and you’ll be a pro in no time. Bias: (sewing) “True bias” is a cut made on a 45-degree angle to the selvage. Bias refers to any line diagonal to the crosswise and lengthwise grains. Binding: (sewing) A strip of fabric used to cover a seam or enclose raw edges. Blocking: (knitting, crochet) The process of laying out a knit or crochet project, lightly dampening it with water, and then letting it dry. This allows the project to take the proper shape and helps smooth it out. Bone folder: (paper crafts) A flat piece of hard plastic or bone that is rounded at the top like a tongue depressor and is used for scoring, creasing, and folding paper or card projects. Butane…

Jenny Hart is a hand-embroidery artist who turned her passion into a career when she founded Sublime Stitching (SublimeStitching.com) in 2001. Her business offers a constantly growing line of funky, fresh embroidery patterns, tutorials, and supplies. Jenny’s personal art (JennyHart.net) is innovative and edgy, garnering attention from rock musicians and comic artists alike. CraftStylish sat down to find out how this DIY embroidery queen does it all. CraftStylish: When did you begin to embroider? Jenny Hart: I began embroidering in the summer of 2000. I had been thinking about it for years, though and had the idea to do embroidery works of lavish portraits, nudes, or themes outside of the traditional motifs for the art. The reason it took me so long to begin was that I thought it would…

WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING Profile: You want to give a gift as unique as the union you are celebrating, but sometimes, it’s impossible to move beyond blenders, can openers, and chintzy knickknacks. This year, use your crafty know how to stand apart from the hoards of dull wedding attendees and equally ho-hum gifts. Advice: Whip up a quilted wall hanging (“Modern Fusion,” p. 36) for a gift the couple will enjoy for years to come. Or, as a shower gift, give the bride a picture pillow that features an image from her bachelorette party (“Picture Perfect,” p. 60). If you’re the one walking down the aisle, present your bridesmaids with handmade silver charms (“Charmed, I’m Sure,” p. 22) with your wedding date on the back. NO BOYS ALLOWED Profile: What…

Consider yourself a superhero. You may not be able to crush coal into diamonds, but believe it or not, you can turn clay into silver or gold to create jewelry in any style you wish. For many artists and crafters, the concept seems unthinkable. It’s not only true, but it’s also something you can do at home. Metal clay consists of fine silver or gold particles held together by a paper binder, and it allows you create one-of-a-kind jewelry designs. Just form your clay into the shape you desire, make an impression or stamp a design into the clay, and then apply heat. The binder melts away while the silver or gold remains. There are no limits to the beautiful designs you can create with metal clay, and the ease…

There are times when a handbag just won’t do. For those occasions when you need to stash just the essentials—lipstick, your driver’s license, and a couple of bucks—the N’Digi Bag is all you need. And your friend will know you’re true blue when you make her this indigenous-craft-inspired bag. Not only is this hip-hugger a fun way to accessorize, but it’s also easy to make. Beginners will find it totally do-able while more seasoned crocheters will be able to whip it together quick. Crochet the bag, then the strap, add a little fringe for flair, and before you know it, your gal pal will have a new swing in her step. Excerpted from Get your Crochet On! Fly Tops and Funky Flavas (Taunton Press, 2007) by Afya Ibomu (GetYourCrochetOn.com). Supplies…

Want a simple, inexpensive way to dress up the gifts you give? Make the boxes they’ll be given in, too. All it takes is some scrapbook paper and a few simple folds. Depending on the paper you choose, your boxes can be as elegant and formal or whimsical and fun as you like. Using simple, paper-folding techniques, I’ll show you how to create a basic gift box. The project is so simple that the hardest part will be choosing the paper. Thousands of prints in every shade under the sun will tempt you to create box after box—for gifts to give, or for just plain fun. DEBRA CORSON is an arts administrator and artist who crafts in Kirkwood, Missouri. She enjoys making—and filling—gift boxes for friends and family. Supplies & sources…

SATIN SPLENDOR DMC’s Satin Floss brings sheen to any project. Available in eight vibrant shades in the Radiant Treasures pack and eight subtle tones in the Pastel Whispers pack, the threads are also sold individually; choose from 36 shimmery colors. (iNeedleWork.com, $10/pack) INSPIRED WIRE Fire Mountain Gems and Beads now offers the solution to untamed, wasted wire. Huggy Spool packaging securely holds Accu-Flex Wire to the spool while you unwind the desired length, leaving the rest wrapped tightly inside. (FireMountainGems.com, starting at $3.92, varies by color, size, etc.) SENSATIONAL SHEARS Fiskars knife-edge scissors have proven to be sleek and powerfully sharp additions to any sewing room. Now, the limited-edition Roberta Gingher shears offer the same expertise with a chic new handle design. (SonomaCutlery.com, $34.95) SOCK IT TO ME Lion Brand’s…

These days, we all lead hectic lives, and no season during the year is more demanding of our time than the holidays. While we busy ourselves baking, crafting, wrapping and decorating, too often, we neglect simply relaxing. What better way to relieve stress and aid relaxation than with a soothing, fragrant eye pillow? Filled with flaxseed and scented with lavender—a popular home remedy for everything from headaches to insomnia—these little pillows make perfect gifts for friends and family. This handmade pillow is simple and inexpensive to make, and the patchwork pattern is a perfect way to use up fabric scraps you already have on hand. The pattern can be used over and over again, but by using different fabrics and colors, you can customize each pillow to make a one-of-a-kind…

White cotton tea towels are simple, practical—and typically plain, but not when embroidered by hand. With some inspired embroidery designs, a boring tea towel can become a beautiful, personalized accoutrement for your home, and may even become a beloved keepsake. Embroidery has enjoyed a revival in recent years, and even the least experienced needle worker can step up and do some stitching to turn this simple kitchen accessory into a small piece of usable art. This partridge design is from my latest book of patterns, the Sublime Stitching Craft Pad (Chronicle Books, 2008) and is a great template to embellish as little or as much as you wish. And, it’s the perfect gift for someone who likes everything in life a little sweeter. JENNY HART, founder of Sublime Stitching based in…

Think back to the days of playing dress up as a child … when you raided your grandmother’s jewelry box for strands of fake beads and her closet for high heels and a purse to match. Grandma’s purses weren’t like the high-end leather designs of today; they were soft, knit, drawstring bags in wonderful colors and patterns—sometimes beaded—that slipped over our wrists and swung there, making us feel very grown-up while they held our childhood treasures. With this project, you can re-create that dress up feeling. Based on a 1943 design, this knit bag is made with rayon corde, which is the same type of corde with cotton cores that was used in the original designs. Today, you’ll find a variety of corde in loads of colors and styles, including…

Knitted felt doesn’t have to be in a plain stockinette stitch. Dress up your felted designs with some texture: add a cable stitch and some bobbles. Cable designs and bobbles are easy to create and show up perfectly on lightly felted fabric. A good example is this handy tote, knit in a beautiful spring green and lined with an inexpensive purchased canvas bag for strength and durability. Here, I’ll show you how to knit and then felt it. Excerpted from I Heart Felt (Taunton Press, 2008) by Kathleen Taylor. Kathleen has published more than 500 craft and needlework articles. Check out her blog at Kathleen-DakotaDreams.blogspot.com. Supplies & sources • 1¾-inch Clover magnet tote-bag closure (Clover-USA.com) • Knit Picks Cadena, 70-percent wool/30-percent superfine alpaca, 100 grams 110 yards of no. 24335…

They say that clothes make the man. So why not surprise him with a snappy, silk, monogrammed tie you made yourself? With a little machine embroidery, you can design the look of the tie, and make a sleek and simple monogram or an all-over, eye-catching, graphic design. Before you know it, he’ll be dressed to impress in your creation. Making a monogrammed silk tie is also a perfect way to ease yourself into working with an embroidery machine. It doesn’t require yards of fabric, and you can easily complete it in a few short steps. First, I’ll show you how to find the perfect position for your monogram; then I’ll walk you through the process of sewing a tie. For my tie pattern, turn to p. 83. JENNIFER STERN is a machine-embroidery…

Want to really wow your family and friends with your crafting prowess? Then go all-the-way handmade, and wrap your gifts in beautiful, marbleized wrapping paper that you made yourself. I always want to make gift wrap that stands out from the sea of boring “Happy Birthday” rolls and “Congratulations” paper. But, so often, handmade wrapping paper looks more homemade than sophisticated. I’ll show you how to create a unique, marbleized effect, using basic craft or construction paper and just a little paint and water. With this method, there are no mistakes because each piece comes out as a one-of-a-kind miniature work of art. The size of the pan determines the size of the paper you can use. So, this technique is best for when you want a small gift to…

Featured Project Gorgeous designs from contributing paper crafter extraordinaire Jeffery Rudell See how to “Pretty Up a Party with Paper” with Jeffery’s cake decorations and table settings. This project may look dificult, but Jeffery’s clear instructions will have you impressing your friends in no time. Meet the winners of our Tote-ally Crafty Bag Challenge In our first-ever CraftStylish Challenge—with four fabulous craft categories to inspire the imagination—we had an amazing response with nearly 100 totes. Here are the grand prize winners: Bloomin’ Tote by member Erin Brumfeld (ErinMichelle) Omni-Crafter category: Most artful use of multiple DIY talents A Girl’s Best Friend by member Jessica Fediw (OhSoHappyTogether) All That Glitters category: Most spellbinding use of embellishment Tote-ally Tab Maille Bag by member Sarah Roemer (SJRoemer) Eco-Chic category: Most innovative use of…