Christmas Gifts To Sew For Friends And Family
Who here struggles with finding gifts for friends and family? Yeah, me too! Which is why I think it’s a better idea to create a list of Christmas gifts that you can sew for friends and family, and then space the projects out throughout the year.
I know that some people dislike the idea of making gifts for others. The usual responses to this when I suggest it run along the lines of ‘but it’s never appreciated’ or ‘they’ll hate it’ but in the last few years I’ve actually found that people are loving the handmade gifts I make more and more.
Whether it’s because the world has become so commercialized and everything starts to look the same, or perhaps the unsustainability of constantly buying new things is catching up with people, but handmade gifts are making a comeback, and that is a great thing for you and I!
I recommend starting with the less ‘size-y’ projects first – because imagine making a sweater or shirt for someone in March only for them to have gone up or down in size by the time Christmas comes. No thanks! – and then do the more size focused projects closer to the holidays. Genius right?
If you need help planning out your projects, do grab my planner. You can learn more about the 2023 project planner or just buy it right here to get started.
Let’s dive into my list of Christmas gifts that you can sew for friends and family this year!
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1. Sew Some Pajamas
Who doesn’t love pajamas? And they’re quite an easy project to sew up, so they are first on my list for a gift that you can sew.
There are many pajama sewing patterns available, but my favorites are:
- Agnes Pjs from Paper Theory Patterns. The detail I love most is the lack of side seams.
- Carolyn PJs from Closet Core Patterns. I have bought this and printed the pattern out, but have not found anyone to make them for… a gift for myself perhaps?
- Self drafted. If you’re eager to learn something new, why not use my tutorial on drafting pants, and my bodice sloper tutorial too, and make yourself a pajama sewing pattern? You’ll just want to add extra ease so that the resulting patterns are comfy for nightwear!
2. Sew A Dressing Gown
Carrying on with the sleepwear theme – and this one can again be made for the men or women in your life – a dressing gown makes a great gift sewing project!
You can go simple and robe-like or full on quilted housecoat mode. I’m tempted to make the latter for my other half who always complains that his favorite housecoat is at his parents in the UK.
Possible patterns include:
- Lahja unisex dressing gown from Named Clothing is a great option for men and women.
- Veronik robe from Closet Core Patterns. I am DROOLING over the long sleeve version.
- There’s also the ‘Sunday’ dressing gown sewing pattern, from Merchant & Mills. It’s also unisex so you could make this up for all your loved ones!
- I also have a robe pattern that is waiting on grading, so stay tuned for that one. It’ll be available before Christmas gift making season!
3. Gloves or Mittens
With Christmas being in the thick of winter (for half the world anyhow) why not treat your friends and family to hand made gloves or mittens?
You could go thrifty with a patchwork style mitten or luxury with a lined leather glove. You will need nimble fingers and the right machine needle and foot for the leather gloves, but for the right person, it’s surely worth all that effort?
Possible patterns that would work include:
- Mouffle YMMD – a mittens pattern from You Made My Day Patterns, this is a fun one
- Fingerless gloves by Heather Handmade are a cute option for those preferring a glove option
- Vogue V8311 gloves – possibly the most gorgeous pair of gloves in sewing pattern form?
4. Hat
I know hats are normally something that we knit, but I think there’s a place for hats on the Christmas gift list don’t you? For those who live in warmer climates, a simple (and stylish!) bucket hat would be a great gift or you could find some thick rib fabric and make a winter beanie hat for those in the northern hemisphere!
And if you have some stashed away like I do, you could also create a faux fur type hat, which will keep the head warm and the style level high!
Possible hat patterns that could work:
- Delia beanie from Named Clothing is a super simple option.
- The Bucket Hat from Merchant & Mills is a free option from this fab pattern company.
- Tory hat from Viki Sews is a double sided bucket hat with a wider brim.
5. Wallet or Small Purse
While your friend or family member is out and about in their snazzy new hat and gloves, you could send them out with a delightful wallet or small purse to keep their cash, key and cards nice and safe.
Again, there are many options for this and whether you choose one wallet sewing pattern and make it up in various fabrics and materials, or choose several patterns and stick to the same fabric for each, you’ll end up with a collection of wallets and small purses for gift giving to friends and family.
Here are three great patterns:
- Thread Theory elastic wallet is a nifty little wallet pattern
- Minimalist wallet pattern from Noodlehead is one you should also consider if a wallet it on your gift making list.
- And you can also grab my free wallet template and use my little wallet pattern tutorial to sew your own.
6. A Bag
Yep. This one is in case your person walking around in a stylish new hat and gloves also requires a bag for whatever reason they left the house! Ha ha!
Ok, not everyone will love a bag. They can be very personal choices after all.
But there are so many types of bags and styles within each type, that I’m certain there is a bag that can be made and enjoyed by every person in this world.
Possible bag options include (and I’ve linked to the best one for each):
- Drawstring bag – great for anyone who goes to the gym, plays a sport or likes things in the home to have their own place
- Emma Tote Bag pattern from Bara Studio is perfect for carrying paperwork, groceries, books and more
- The Naito Bucket Bag from Klum House patterns is full of pockets and can be used as a project project bag but would also work as a grocery bag if you wanted your items separated.
- Duffel bag – for the person who likes a roomy bag with a zipper closure, perfect for carrying a sports kit to a game!
- The Francli Day Pack from Merchant & Mills is a roll top rucksack with a laptop compartment too! And who doesn’t love / need a rucksack? I use one for groceries, for travel or even just popping uptown for coffee and a work session
- The Campfire Messenger bag from Noodlehead patterns – again, not everyone loves a messenger bag, but if your friend or family member is often out and about with a computer or tablet, this can be such a great gift to sew up fro them.
- The Orbit bag from Helen’s Closet is a fun option if you want to try your hand at a small amount of quilting!
- The l’Oeuf bag from Sew Liberated is a super cute bag options for someone who like a smaller and more ‘whimsical’ bag type. It really IS shaped like an egg!
- The Aura yoga mat bag sewing pattern from Named Clothing is surely a winner for the yogis in your life?
- The Bernie Belt Bag from Friday Pattern Company was originally part of another pattern – until the sewing community requested it so much that they released it as its own pattern!
- Fanny pack / bum bag – another winning bag style for those who pop out on runs, quick errands or like to go hiking or on festival trips
All of the above bag types can be sewn on a home sewing machine, especially if you’re using woven fabrics. If you’re considering materials that are thicker and trickier, such as suede and leather, then consider the bag type carefully.
7. Boxer Shorts
This one may make some people squint their nose – sew underwear for someone else? – but hear me out. How many of you have gone to the store to buy boxers and socks for your dad each year? Or have seen a family member or friend swanning around in little itty bitty summer shorts?
Boxer shorts are the same thing. And, they can also double up as sleep shorts in the warm summer months.
There are patterns that are actual proper boxer shorts in style but you can also borrow a pair from someone and trace over them to get a pattern too.
Here are three pattern ideas for boxers shorts, and these will suit men or women:
- This Boxer Shorts pattern from Made by Me is a winner – very similar to a pair I made for my fiancé a couple years ago which he loves.
8. Button Down Shirt
This one is a little more controversial for many as it is one of the more time consuming projects and isn’t always appreciated by the receiver, but a button down shirt has always gone down well with my family members.
I think it’s the work that has gone into it and the uniqueness that makes this an appreciated gift.
Again, there are hundreds of possible patterns available, I’ll link to the ones I have used below:
- The Kalle Shirt from Closet Core Patterns was the second shirt pattern I ever bought. Its perfect with grown on sleeves and a lovely relaxed vice.
- The Cornell shirt from Elbe Textiles is an oversized shirt pattern with French seam detailing throughout. Gorgeous.
- The Fairfield from Thread Theory is a popular mens shirt pattern, which warrants closer inspection.
- The Leo Shirt from Bella Loves Patterns is a button down with slightly dropped shoulders, and just a little oversized.
9. Joggers
Joggers feature in my recent article of beginner sewing projects for guys because they are such an easy project to sew up. I made my DIY denim jeans in the style of jogger pants and I love them. They’re my most worn item of clothing since I made them back in February 2020 and I am not a ‘joggers’ kind of person.
You can sew joggers in a knit fabric for the more traditional jogger, in denim as I did for a different ‘jeans’ vibe or something a bit more silky for a more luxury take on the traditional jogger.
Here are some pattern suggestions so you can sew up some joggers:
- The Hudson Pant – probably the most obvious and a very popular sewing pant, the Hudson Pant sewing pattern from True bias has been around a while, and they have a female and male option
- Sew House Seven released the Free-Range slacks sewing pattern, which aren’t joggers but have the same relaxed vibe.
- Elbe textiles have a similar pattern, designed for woven fabrics called the Freemantle Pants, which I think is a gorgeous pattern. Just add some elastic cuffs to the hem and you’re set!
10. A Sweater or Jumper
Another garment type that is usually knitted rather than sewn, but there are many great sewing patterns for sweaters that it would be daft to not include them.
You can sew a sweater in knitted fabrics of course, but if you make sure the neck opening is big enough – i.e. insert a placket with buttons, add in a short zipper – then you can also make them in woven fabrics with some rib trim at the cuffs and hem.
My favorite sweater patterns are:
- The Toaster Sweater sewing pattern from Sew House 7 patterns has been around for a while now, and is a firm favorite in the sewing community. It uses knit fabric with 20% stretch.
- I’ve had the Sloane sweater pattern from Named Clothing in my pattern stash for about 8 years now, and it’s a great one to sew up.
- The Smiths Hoodie sewing pattern from Elbe Textiles is a winner for the men. It even has all the hoodie details you’d expect, and I’ve yet to have a fail from this pattern company!
And let me also point out that if sewing a whole sweater fills you with zero joy, you could rummage at the thrift store / charity shop / op shop for a selection of sweaters, and then just refashion them into zippered front cardigan style like my recent project. Sustainable, less costly and a little more fun sourcing what you need perhaps?
11. The Vest aka Waistcoat aka Gilet
Finally, because this is always a favorite, the vest. This could be traditional tailored waistcoat style or a more relaxed and casual vest style. These are great gift ideas for both men and women and there are so many patterns available. You also don’t need to worry too much about the perfect fit as the more casual ones can be thrown over a shirt, sweater or dress for an extra layer of snuggly warmth too. And have I mentioned how great these can be for stash busting if you go the patchwork route?
Here are some amazing waistcoat and vest patterns available:
- The Everyday Waistcoat from New Crafthouse come in two options: the womens version is a beginner friendly vest sewing pattern, while the mens version is longer (and also beginner friendly!)
- The Billy Gilet from Republique du Dhiffon is a loose fit vest option for anyone who loves faux fur and other fluffy fabric types!
- The Bennie vest from Bella Loves Patterns is a vest pattern with nifty pocket detailing!
- Irma body warmer from fiber mood
- The Belvedere Vest pattern from Thread Theory is a great option for men
- One for the women, the Chelsea Vest sewing pattern from Style Arc is a more traditional women’s waistcoat pattern.
- The Billy Waistcoat sewing pattern from Merchant and Mills is perfect for the men in your life and can be made lined or unlined.
That’s quite a list of possible christmas gifts that you can be sewing for your friends and family. Have any in particular jumped out and inspired you? Have you already sewn all your christmas gifts for this year, or are you leaving it til the last minute? Let me know in the comments below, and remember, there’s always my awesome sewing project planner to help you start planning for next year already.
If you’re still in need of inspiration, have a look at the following sewing pattern guides which may help you further:
