by Miranda Mueller
Normally, you think of embroidery as something you do only for girl friends, babies, and sometimes for dad.
But when you’re looking for a gift for a boy between the ages of 12 and 18, something embroidered is not the first thing that comes to mind.
You think of CDs, gift cards, board games, and designer clothes as “good gifts”. So how can you put your expensive
embroidery machine to work for these types of presents with teen boys in mind?
Here are a couple of ways you can get the most out of your embroidery cards and give teenage boys a homemade gift they’ll actually enjoy!
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Patches: Embroider a design on a piece of scrap fabric, then iron double-sided interfacing on one side, leaving the other side for him to iron (though you may have to teach him how to use an iron first!). Make up a couple for the
birthday boy to put wherever *he* wants (can’t go wrong there)! -
CD holders: Teens these days have enough CD’s to fill up dozens of CD holders, so this is always a good
bet. Try putting a piece of trendy embroidery, the name of their favorite band, or their initials on the cover not only to prevent it from getting stolen and in helping to identify it, but also to give him an original look that will
make him want to bring it wherever he goes. -
Pillowcases: The boy’s name and a design on either side give him a gift that’s useful, personalized, and cool all at the same time!
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Bags: With guys, you have to be careful with bags. They can’t be feminine or any type of tote, but if you make or buy a messenger bag and embroider a big trendy design on the flap, or cover it with patches, it is sure to be a hit.
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Steering wheel covers: A perfect idea for the new driver. Embroider a couple small repeating designs before making one of these, and he’ll see (and appreciate!) your handiwork every time he steps in the car.
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Bookmarks: Depending on the kind of books they like to read, a bookmark with a quote or a design on it can become a great extra to include with that book they’ve been asking for.
Now, when embroidering these items, you have to be careful. There are only a few kinds of usable designs, and most of them will not be on your traditional embroidery cards. This is where the computer-to-machine embroidery programs come in handy – just be careful to respect all copyright requirements.
To embellish these items, here is a list of designs that would work well:
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Generic sports teams related items and equipment
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Skulls and other dark/punky designs
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Abstract and geometric art
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Tribal designs
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Chinese figures
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Fierce-looking animals (tigers, eagles, panthers, bears, etc.)
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Monograms in school colors or the colors of their favorite sports teams
(Editor’s Note: Avoid team logos, etc. unless you have specific permission to embroider such items, school logos, just as team logos are copyrighted and strictly enforced by those who own them).
These ideas are great. I am going to read them in my embroidery club. We are always looking for more ideas lol.
I took pillow cases and I embroidered baskeballs and also used a basketball alphabet for their first inital. I made the basketballs different sizes to look like it was going into the embroidered hoop. The other boys I embrodiered their favorite animal (realistic) not cutsie. They really liked them.
Thank You for designs I can use for boys, especially adolescent and teen.
As the mother of three sons, followed by 3 grandsons, my creative endeavors have been stiffled as they get older.
Thanks. I just finished making checkered pillows with a big 4 inch king chess piece on the front with the boy’s name. They loved them. Marion
My 16 yr. old son loves dragons, and there are some good designs out there – he has t-shirts, soccer-style shirts, and hoodies, all with various dragons and things – and loves them! Color-change thread (sunlight) and glow in the dark also add interest.
These are all GREAT ideas, a few years ago for Christmas I made home embroidered items for all 4 of my boys, I personalized a pillow for each one with something they really liked, such as: art motifs for my Artist, computer items for my computer “geek”, Favorite characters from a tv show for another (purchased from the company that owns the rights) and Movie charactors for the other one, again from a company that owns the rights. Then I purchased those great big bath sheet towels and monogrammed each one with their initials, and each towel was that boys favorite color. My husband didn’t think these would be very good gifts, but the reactions that I got from each boy showed it all! They were SO excited to get these. They loved that each one was personal for them, and that these are all one of a kind gifts that no one else would have!!! So, if you know the boy well, there are a lot of things you can do with the embroidery to make it something they will love! This year I made a wall hanging for one of them using jazz embroidery designs and musical fabrics, because he is now into Jazz music and again, he really loved it!
Great Ideas! thanks so much. Any detailed instructions for steering wheel covers? Love that one. thanks again. Nancy
great ideas thanks Maureen
May i ask where you purchased the rights for the t.v/ movie charactors ? thanks for any info
[Mod note: No copyrighted designs were used in this article. Certain copyrighted designs can be purchased through authorized vendors online. Hope this helps. Rob]
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Has anyone tried the CD covers? Can you make them stuff or did you just use heavy fabric?
Thanks, Carol
Great ideas! But can you give more instructions on the steeling wheel cover and the CD holders? What did you make them from? Did you buy the cover tham embroidery on it?
I make motorcycle patches… Grown men love them so I know that the teens would love them too!! Skulls, motorcyles, music.. anything like that I know they would love. If it has some sort of cool edge to it they will love it!
Have fun!!
My preteen requested a “cool” shirt. I made a skull and crossbones with the lettering: WARNING!Do NOT read this shirt!
He loves it and it has become one of his favorite shirts.