by Debbie Vechter
We’re all looking for ideas, especially with the ‘gifting’ season
approaching so rapidly. I’m sure we’re all being incredibly careful
with our disposable income these days, especially with what’s
happening financially to all of us. In the same vein, we would feel
so bad if we were to overlook giving something to people who are
meaningful in our lives. Your gift does not have to be expensive.
There are so many people whom we would love to acknowledge with a
gift, if only it wouldn’t put us into a situation where we might be
spending beyond our means. Who might need that extra boost from
knowing someone is thinking of them? Think of your co-workers, your
child’s classroom teacher, piano teacher, private tutor, school
playground supervisor, school office secretary, principal, vice
principal, your hairdresser, manicurist, receptionist at the doctor’s
or dentist’s office, your physiotherapist, babysitter, postal delivery
person, neighbor friends, newspaper delivery person, church
acquaintances, veterinarian receptionist and so many others that you
might wish to acknowledge in some small way, while saving you some
money so that you can still afford to pay for other incidentals you
may need.
If you start now, you can make great gifts that everyone would love to
receive that will not cost you much at all ~ and if you think of it,
isn’t giving something of yourself that is meaningful the real
meaning of giving gifts?
One truly cute idea is to make pincushions using your scrap materials
and embellishments, and in this you’re actually finding a really good
use for your scraps. There are so many different types of pincushions
that you can individualize specifically for the people you will be
giving them to.
For your athletic friends use a sports theme fabric; for your sewing
friends, use a sewing theme fabric; your cat or dog lover friends will
enjoy a fabric with pets on it; church friends may appreciate one made
from fabric with a religious theme. Your more eclectic friends may
enjoy more whimsical shapes, such as a Victorian wide brimmed hat, a
collection of fruit such as apples, pears, strawberries, mandarin
oranges or a collection of vegetables such as
tomatoes and cucumbers. Your gardener friends will probably love a
cute flower pincushion.
One type of pincushion that is always loved is the cupcake. Bells are
also a cute theme and can be made with bright colored fabric for a
teacher you know, Christmas fabric for holiday gifting, or white
fabric with lace for a new bride who loves sewing. Pincushions can be
made simply and quickly from your bright colored scraps. Perhaps you
check the remnants section of your fabric supplier regularly, what
have you collected there that might be appropriate to use?
In my pincushion photo, I have presented a selection of pincushions
that will help give you ideas of how different and fun various types
of pincushions can be. If you give an assortment of fruits or
vegetable pincushions, consider presenting them in a nice gift basket;
another idea . . . second hand baskets can be had at thrift shops for
around 25 cents, who often have a surplus of such items, as long as
the basket is in good condition it’s a fabulous way to save money on
presentation baskets.
You can see that I have included a pear, a Victorian wide brimmed hat
and a flower with a golden center.
Gifts, as you can see can be inexpensive and individually tailored for
the recipient. This makes them meaningful and they will be
well-received and appreciated as the recipient will know it has been
made just for them. Imagine having a stash of these super little
goodies in your ‘gift closet’. You will never be without a nice
little gift to present to a deserving friend.
WOW!! What a great idea. I love the pear it is really cute.
These are adorable gifts. The wide brimmed hat is especially creative. Thanks for the ideas!
The pincushions are a great gift idea but where are the instructions to make them.
Thankyou. Maybe you should air some of the old gifts that were posted on the web site over the last few years. Making a gift site for members. Some of us are new to the site and would love to hear and see of great ideas that you have already had.
what a wonderful idea, they are precious to look at I definitely will make some of these for the holidays small enough to keep handy for some one you didnt think of.
where are your pincushion patterns from
I’d like to see the patterns too. They are really cute and a good idea for gifts.
Thanks and please send pattern location.
I have made pin cushions for years and the best/free stuffing is old, dried coffee grounds. Keeps pins sharp and clean.
Hi All,
Thanks for your comments and interest in getting the patterns. I simply drew out my own patterns on a piece of paper. For the flower, the pattern is simply a circle and can be made any size you like. The Victorian Broadbrim Hat simply is 2 circles. The larger circle fits over a 6″ paper plate. The smaller circle fits over a jar ring that’s stuffed with polyester batting. The pear is just a long, skinny piece with a point at the top and a point at the bottom and sort of a long skinny pear shape and you cut 6 of these. If you would like a tutorial complete with photos, just leave a comment here and I will prepare a full tutorial if there are enough requests. Thanks again for your interest.
Debbie
tutorial please ….some of us can’t visualize very well.
Hi, These are great, would love the pear tutorial. Thanks.
I would like a tutorial – I work better from some instructions.
The Church’s Christmas Bazaar is coming up and these would make a nice gift item. Thanks for the idea and help.
I would love a tutorial. The pin cushions are great
I would love the tutorial too. Janet
The pincushions are adorable. I would VERy much like a tutorial. I probably could sort it out on my own, but the time it would take would outweigh the value of the gift.
Thanks for all your neat ideas.
I also would like reference to past gift ideas.
Kathy
where do I purchase the Kanji design?
[editor's note: You can purchase the Kanji desgins here;
http://www.designsbysick.com/details/kanji
Rob
Editor]
Where can I find the patterns?
I also love to make pincushions. they make great gifts since everyone gets shirts and clothing with pins in them. Pincushion patterns are all over the Internet and in most pattern catalogs. Vogue, of course, has the nicest ones including a cake and a bee hive!
I also posted an easy pincushion project — complete with instructions on this website. it was a few months ago.
hi the candle reflector on what type of fabric was the designs stitch out.?
[note: tulle
]
Would like pincusion tutorials please. Also, would like information on past gift ideas!
[Editor's note: Pincushion Tutorials;
http://www.designsbysick.com/articles/pincushions-tutorial-pt-1-victorian-hat/
http://www.designsbysick.com/articles/pincushion-tutorial-pt-2-pear/
Huggers
rob
editor]