Gift Guide: for the Sewers and Makers

I’m going to be sharing two gift guides this holiday season, for two areas that I think I know a good amount about - sewing and tiny humans! haha. Today is all about those sewists and makers. Whether you know a maker in your life that you need a fun gift for, or you yourself are a maker and need some ideas of what to ask for - here are some of my favorite ideas!

MadamSew Sew Happy Box

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen me sharing an unboxing of Madam Sew’s new subscription box. I mentioned during the unboxing that I think a subscription for a box or two (or more) would make a great Christmas gift! Who doesnt love a surprise box full of goodies? Each box comes with a sewing pattern, a scrap busting project/pattern, fabric, matching thread, a fat quarter of a featured fabric designer, And a handful of fun tools. In November’s box, those tools included heat erasable marking pens, a few presser feet, and a pin cushion ring. Super cute!

*** I was provided this subscription box for review and blog feature. Though, all thoughts are my own.

MadamSew Ultimate Presser Foot Kit

Another fun item from Madam Sew to gift is their Ultimate Presser Foot kit. It comes with 32 different presser feet, for any kind of application you can imagine, and it also comes with an adapter so that they can be used with almost any brand sewing machine. It comes with an instruction booklet, as well as tutorial videos for each foot.

*** I had previously received this item in the past in exchange for a review, but I actually still use these presser feet all the time! Check out my highlights on Instagram for some example videos I shared in the past. I’ll also be sharing some more video examples next week.

Megan Nielsen Mommy & Me sewing pattern bundles

Have a sewist in your life that also has a little one? Megan is offering mommy & me bundles on some of her sewing patterns that have matching mini versions, at a discounted price! Theres the Cottesloe swimsuits like I have above, the Tania culottes, Eucalypt tank/dress, and Virginia leggings.

Kylie and the Machine sewing labels

Sooooooo I really just want a stocking full of these sewing labels! Check out her website for all the different ones she offers (there are so many good ones!), and you can also find them offered at some of your favorite fabric stores - just search for Kylie and the Machine labels. The perfect stocking stuffer!

‘Maker’ necklace

I love this simple necklace! And not just for sewists - it could be the perfect gift for any kid of maker in your life. Comes in silver, too!

Scissors!!!!!

I don’t know a sewist or maker that doesn’t love collecting scissors. Both useful scissors, and pretty decorative scissors. This photo above is just a small selection of my own. But here are a few of my favorites, and some that I am coveting:

handmade wardrobe // family Hudson pants

all three sweatpants: Hudson pants, men’s Hudson pants, and mini Hudson Pants by True Bias, in a navy blue terry velour from Style Maker Fabrics

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Zach has been bugging me to make something for him for awhile now. I mean, I am always sewing for me and P, it’s about time I incuded something for him. And of course, I couldn’t make something for just him - I had to take the opportunity for all of us to match! The Hudson Pants were the perfect project for this since it comes in sizes for the whole family.

I’ve made one pair for me before, so I knew the sizing was perfect for me in the women’s. Zach fell in between sizing in the men’s, so I went with the bigger of the two sizes, thinking that it was better for sweatpants to be a a little loose rather than a little tight. He says he likes the fit, but they seem just a tad bit baggy to me, so next time I might try one size down for him. I also think I will make the pocket bags bigger for him next time. He always carries his phone in his pocket, and they are just a tad bit too small - his phone falls out in these ones. And lastly - Penny’s is pretty much perfect in the size 3! I just need to cut a smaller piece of elastic next time for her little waist. I really relied on the drawstring for these ones, tying them extra tight to keep the pants up on her. But the length and fit were perfect!

In general, this was a succesful project! I still have quite a bit of this terry velour left, so I’m going to make us all matchig sweatshirts too, so we have full sweat sets haha. And I see more Hudson pants in our future. We are a lounge-y family, after all.

Handmade Wardobe // Fall Leopard

dress: McCall 7595 in a rayon challis from Style Maker Fabrics

tee: Megan Nielsen Patterns Rowan bodysuit

jacket: old Forever21

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This is a tried and true pattern for me - the third dress I’ve made in this style! I lie it because its really simple, easy to modify and hack, and doesn’t have the worry about fitting too much since its a loose fit. For this one, I made the straps long ties instead, and added a short ruffle flounce to the bottom hem (although the print kind of hides it in the photos). My favorite thing to do with this pattern, to give it the option of being fitted at the waist since it is a loose pull on style, is to add small ties at the back waist. Then you have the option to tie it and cinch it in a little more for definition!

handmade wardrobe // Mommy and Me Tania

both of our sweaters: H&M

both of our culottes (not skirts!): Megan Nielsen Tania culottes and mini Tania culottes in a rayon blend dot print from Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics

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Ok, I’m just going to start off by saying that I’m obsessed with this set of photos and these outfits! I mean, look at that chunky sweater on Penny, omg.

But anyway, could you guys tell that these were both culottes and not skirts? That’s my favorite thing about this pattern. Look Ma - they’re pants! And guess what, Megan is currently offering Mommy & Me bundles for both the adult and mini patterns! So now is your chance to grab them now, If you want to try some twinning, too.

handmade wardrobe .. mommy and me briar and virginia

Both our outfits: Megan Nielsen Patterns Briar tee and Virginia Leggings, mini Briar tee and mini Virginia leggings

Fabrics: rust modal rib knit from Blackbird fabrics, and black/grey athletic knit from Joann Fabrics

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I made these Virginia leggings a while back (with a yoga waisband! You can find the tutorial on Design Diary here), and while I didn’t have any fabric left over, I did have some similar fabric to finally make a pair for P too.

And while I was at it, I might as well throw in some matching Briar tees, as well! Because why not, haha. I made them both in a really drapey modal rib knit. I kept mine simple with no fancy details, and the longer length to be more comfortable worn with leggings. For Penny, I wanted to add more details so she would be more excited about it. Luckily, Meg includes multiple patch options with both patterns. So I added a contrasting heart applique and matching contrasting bands. She was so excited when I showed it to her! Although you may not be able to tell in these photos - she wasn’t acting herself when we went to take these. Usually shes pretty happy and smiley and totally into it, but not this time. Well we found out why an hour later… she threw up all over herself and her cute new outfit. She was, and has been, fine since then, but oh man! That was a rough evening. And yes, the outfit is fine too, after a go in the washing machine haha.

Megan is currently offering Mommy & Me bundles, so you can get these adult and mini patterns together at a special price!

handmade wardrobe // fall tones

my top: Friday Pattern Company Adrienne blouse in a striped knit from Blackbird Fabrics

my pants: Style Arc Tully Pants in a linen/viscose from StoneMountain and Daughter Fabrics

my shoes: Target

Penny’s shirt and turban: both self drafted in same knit fabric

Penny’s jacket: H&M

Penny’s pants: thrifted

Penny’s boots: Target

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I told you to expect another pair of Tully pants. Totally obsessed with this pattern. This time, I made it out of one of my favorite drapey, slubby linen blends. I made a pair Spring Shorts in this same fabric and love it. so much so that I’ve bought it in 2 more colors for future projects.

Another new favorite pattern, and my second version, is the Adrienne blouse. I mean, can we just take a second to appreciate those sleeves? It’s such a quick and easy make with such impact.

Not much to say about this set. Just some favorite makes in some favorite fabrics paired together. If you haven’t tried either of these patterns out, I highly suggest them!