Sewing Tutorial: Fidget Mats

I love the marble mazes I posted two months ago, but they might not be appropriate fidget toys if you need to worry about choking hazards--enough chewing can get the marbles out, and babies and some older people are going to chew. Here's an alternative sewing project for when that's a concern. It's also a great way to use up small amounts of fabric and ribbon.

No choking hazards here!

SUPPLIES

Four pieces of different textures of fabric
Six (or more) ribbons of different texture and width--none with wires
Fabric scissors
Regular scissors
Rotary cutter
Cutting mat with grid and ruler
Clean potato chip bag

Regular scissors lest your sewing ancestors haunt you
when it comes time to cut the bag.

DIRECTIONS

Cut the ribbon into four-inch (10 cm) long pieces. If you only have a small amount of ribbon, three inches  (7.5 cm)will suffice, but four is easier to work with.

If possible, have each ribbon a different texture than the other.

Using your regular scissors, cut the potato chip into a ten inch by ten inch (25 cm) square. The bag should already have been wiped clean and run through the dishwasher or washing machine. You can also use any sort of bag with the same feel as a potato chip or buy crinkle paper outright.

USE REGULAR SCISSORS, NOT FABRIC SCISSORS

Next, cut three of your fabrics into three-inch (7.5cm) wide by nine-inch (23 cm) wide strips, and the fourth into a nine-inch by nine-inch (23 cm) square. 

I used fleece, a silky piece, and minke for the strips,
and flannel for the square.

Now you should have six lengths of ribbon, one chip bag square, three strips of fabric, and one square of fabric. Time to start assembling the fidget mat.

Ready to go

Sew the strips along the long edges with the right sides facing, to make them into a square.

I chose to order them fleece, silky, minke

Square up the edges.

See-through rulers with grids are the best.

Fold the ribbons in half and pin then around the perimeter, leaving a little bit of each raw each hanging over the side, to ensure they get caught when you sew them in place.

You can sew them in right now and remove the pins,
or after the next step and just take extra care to watch for pins when turning.

Layer your pieces with the chip bag on the bottom, fabric square right side up, strips with ribbons right side down. 

The bag might try to curl, which is why having it bigger than
the fabric pieces is nice.

Pin or clip the pieces together and sew around the perimeter, leaving a space open for turning.

If you haven't already sewn in the ribbons, watch for those pins.

Trim the extra edges of the chip bag.

USE REGULAR SCISSORS. DO NOT USE FABRIC SCISSORS.

Trim any bulky pieces of ribbon and fabric as needed.

Back to fabric scissors.

Use a zig zag to top stitch the perimeter...

The ribbons are very secure now!

...and the seams between the strips, and you're done!

This also helps the chip bag piece stay in place.

Now the fidget mat is ready to be played with. The bag inside the fabric makes a fun crinkly noise when bent or squeezed, and the ribbons and fabric provide a variety of textures to rub.

Sewing Tutorial: Toy Hammock

This is a very simple pattern designed to keep toys in check. My children like to have a few special toys in their beds, and I did too when I was their ages. With just a yard of fabric and some elastic, you can help the toys not take over the bed.

My kids keep pajamas in theirs as well.

SUPPLIES

1 yard cotton fabric
2.5 yards elastic (1 inch wide, non-roll)

Conveniently, the stores near me sell elastic in 2.5 yard packages.

INSTRUCTIONS

Hem around all four sides.

Hooray for irons and being able to crease the fabric before sewing it!

Next, you'll be sewing a tube on the cut edges (i.e., the non-selvage edges). Fold the hemmed cut edges down three inches or so, and sew along the hem. There will be one tube on each end, and the yard of fabric will have shrunk by about seven inches between the hems and the tubes.

It's not critical to get the width exact, so long as there's plenty of room for the elastic.

One tube on either cut end.

Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together. Line up the two tubes and sew the narrow edges together.

Like this. Sew on the short parts, from the folded edge to the tubes.

Don't sew over the tube; you'll need it open for the elastic.

Run the elastic through the tube.

Hooray for giant darning needles!

Finally, making sure the elastic isn't twisted, overlap the ends at least an inch and sew it together. Hide the seam inside one of the tubes, and you're done!

You could also use thread that matches your elastic, but I'd still work this inside the tube.

Ready to hang on a bed.
Depending on how heavy what it's holding is, you might want the elastic shorter,
or need to loop it around the bedposts a few times.

Gifts for Young Children

Most people have at least a few young children in their lives who they want to give gifts to, from nieces and nephews to godchildren to friend's children to their own children. It can be tricky to strike the right balance between fun and useful, especially as younger children are still learning to appreciate the thought behind gifts. Here are some ideas to get you started brainstorming.

BOOKS AND MOVIES

Most kids love being read to. Books are easy to tailor to tastes, whether the parents' or the kids' or both. And a lot of books can be found second-hand in great shape for very little money. The same can be said for movies, and many families enjoy watching classic family films together--one of my brothers has made it a tradition to give my kids a Disney movie each Christmas with some snacks to enjoy while watching it.

If you're not sure what title is best, gift cards to bookstores work well too. By the time kids are about four or five, they have fun feeling grown-up by picking out and paying for their own things at stores, and most parents will appreciate that the children are picking a book which is relatively easy to store instead of a toy that can get lost or broken. Gift cards to movie theaters are good choices too, if the children are out of the baby stage.

TOYS

So long as you know the parents aren't already overwhelmed with THINGS, a small age-appropriate toy is certain to be appreciated. Puzzles, art sets, figures or plushes of favorite animals or characters, dolls and action figures--you have a lot to choose from. You can also ask if there are sets you can add to, like more Brio train tracks, Barbie accessories, toy food for a kitchen, or LEGO.

SWEETS AND OTHER FOOD

Most kids have a sweet tooth and will be thrilled to get candy. The main concerns with these is dietary restrictions. A bag of lollipops can't be enjoyed by a child sensitive to food dye, and package of cookies is frustratingly tempting to a Muslim child during Ramadan, a Jewish child on Yom Kippur, or a Christian child during Lent. Some food isn't safe for younger children, for example, toddlers who keep swallowing gum might choke on it. Check with the parents if you have any questions about the appropriate kind of treat for a child.

HOUSEHOLD AND PERSONAL ITEMS

Even young children can understand and appreciate having something just for them. Every preschooler and elementary-aged child that I've made a purse, wallet, afghan, pillowcase, or similar item for has loved that it's personalized in some way, even if that's just the favorite color. My mom has had great success embroidering keychains, washcloths, and handsewn plush toys for my cousins' children.

A lot of children seem to be enamored with kitchen items, stationery sets, and garden tools. If you know a child into these things, they're fun to pick out and easy to personalize as well.

Clothing can be good if you know the child will appreciate it. My daughters love getting new Christmas dresses from their grandparents each year. Not every kid does though, so check with the parents first, and be sure to get information about the right sizes.

GIFT CARDS, SUBSCRIPTIONS, CASH

My children have most of my old toys and most of my husband's old toys. They don't need many more. But they have piggy banks and enjoy filling them up. They also love being able to get a treat at an ice cream or fast food store. 

Getting mail is fun for kids--they almost never get any, so the novelty is pretty special (and it's never a bill!). My husband's grandparents renew a subscription to a children's nature magazine every year, and I give my nieces and nephews a subscription to another. There are other fun things to get in the mail too: a family friend once sent us a coupon to redeem for caterpillars we could raise into butterflies! My kids absolutely loved the experience (do check that such coupons can be redeemed where your recipient lives; some are only good in certain areas).

Money for the future is a common gift from grandparents and great-grandparents, such as savings bonds or college tuition credits. These are so appreciated by the parents, but the thought might go over a young child's head, so be prepared for that. If you're concerned such a gift might not be fun enough, you can always add a packet of stickers, markers, candy, or other small conveyance gift. 

GIFTS THAT NEED CARE

Always, always, always talk with the parents before giving children an animal, even caterpillars you only keep a couple weeks. Parents generally don't appreciate having to be the "bad guy" who says the child can't keep the puppy or kitten or fish, or having to go buy all the necessary equipment for an animal.

A plant is a much safer option, but if you have any doubt whether it will be difficult for the family, talk to the parents. There's a chance someone might be allergic to the plant or that they may not have the space in the yard for it (if they have a yard at all) or that they're about to go on a trip that means they'll come home to a dried-out, dead plant.

Fragile items can be beautiful heirlooms, but be sure that they're appropriate. A delicate crystal figurine is very nice for a Christmas ornament, but less ideal for sitting on a toddler's dresser. 

When in doubt, ask!

Goody Bags, Party Favors, and Other Gifts for Multiple People

Some events call for multiples of gifts, whether as a thank you for coming or as part of the event itself. In general, consumables are a good idea, although if it's food you do need to be considerate of allergies and other dietary restrictions. If you're aiming for more of a keepsake, small is best. You'll need to take into consideration your budget, your audience, and your time.

CONSUMABLES

I have literally dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins, and I see many of them during the holidays. Buying them all individual gifts would bankrupt me, and making the same by hand would take all year (not to mention the cost of supplies). Instead, I bake three or four varieties of cookies, double or triple batches of each. Each family gets a bag of cookies from me without my needing to take out a loan or spend more than part of a few days baking. Some of them give bags of their own homemade cookies, breads, candies, or jams. Other people I know make vanilla extract (this takes a few months; plan ahead), brownies, fudge, snack mixes, home-brewed beer or other alcohol, small cakes, applesauce, nut butters, spaghetti sauce, spice mixes, home-roasted coffee beans, and even honey from their beehives. You can also put together dry ingredients for baked goods. And of course, there are myriad store bought food treats, often ones made locally.

You do have to be mindful of dietary restrictions. For example, one of my cousins is allergic to peanuts, so I don't add peanuts to any cookies and I don't make peanut butter cookies (for her, other nuts are fine so I can still use almond extract or other nuts). If you don't know the recipients well, in the case of an office party for example, food might not be best. You also need to be sure whatever you give will be okay without refrigeration for at least a few hours. One way around potential food restrictions for a crowd is something like a candy bar. When my brother got married, the wedding favors were organza bags we could fill with our choice of a variety of his and my sister-in-law's favorite candies. At a different wedding, the candy bar was every kind of blue candy the bride and groom could find, as the wedding colors were navy and sky blue. Both times the treats were great for the plane ride home.

Some events give away plants and seeds. While not quite consumable, these are fun for those who have the space to grow them. They're also easy to tailor to the occasion: pots painted in seasonal colors, some of the same flowers as in the wedding bouquets, plants that represent the occasion, that sort of thing.

Other consumables include candles, soap, lotion, sugar scrubs, lip balm, and stationery. As with food gifts, any of these can be store bought or handmade, and you need to be aware of allergies. They don't need to be fancy either, especially if your recipients are more practical. Some years my grandparents have given us simple toiletries like shampoo and shaving cream (with some cash, being grandparents) and it always gets used.

GIFT CARDS

If you have the budget, gift cards in $5-10 denominations are good. The standard is coffee shops, but you don't need to limit yourselves to that. Bakeries, specialty grocery stores, online music services, ice cream stores--as long as your recipients can actually get something for $5 or $10, it can work. One Christmas, a cousin of mine passed out Redbox gift cards with packets of microwave popcorn. 

If you know your recipients would appreciate donations given in their names, you can also pass out notes acknowledging such. One wedding I attended recently had notecards at each table setting stating that in lieu of wedding favors the bride and groom, who had both lost their mothers to cancer, had made a donation to the American Cancer Society. Especially with as extravagant as the wedding and reception was, I thought the donation was far more touching than wedding favor to take home.

KEEPSAKES AND TOKENS

There are a variety of choices for small gifts, some better than others. The issue with gifts meant to be kept is that it's impossible to cater to everyone's tastes. With consumables, people who get something they don't like don't feel as obligated to keep it.

Christmas ornaments are an obvious choice for Christmas parties, and most people aren't too selective about what goes on their trees. Other decorative or household items can be more versatile, like prisms or sun catchers, paper weights, drink coasters, fridge magnets, pins, kitchen accessories, and knick-knacks. Some of these can be handmade, like knit washcloths, sewn hot pads, etched glass coasters, and so on.

If the event is for a specific activity, it's easier to pick out an appropriate favor. For example, a sewing club party could pass out sewing notions; a garden club might give away plant starts. 

For kids' birthday parties, the usual fare seems to be a bag of small plastic toys. I'm not a fan of those myself, as my kids have too many of those already. Goody bags we've found easier to enjoy include more useful items like pencils or other school supplies, a single larger toy, treats like a few cookies or some candy from a piñata, or things that get used up like bubbles and stickers. But don't feel limited to those; feel free to be creative. My brother's birthday is Halloween, so every year his party guests would trick-or-treat. Our parents figured the kids didn't need more candy, especially since they also got birthday cake...so the party favors were toothbrushes and floss! 

If You are an Artist, You Can Make...

Being able to create art is a wonderful talent, and a great way to make personalized and customized gifts. There are myriad possibilities.

HOME DECOR

Provided you know your recipient's tastes well enough, a piece of framed artwork is a lovely addition to a home. It's also a fun way to celebrate major milestones, like new babies or weddings. One of my mom's friends works drawing houses for a real estate company; when my older brother got married she drew professional pictures of his and his wife's childhood homes. One of my aunts is a professional photographer, and she's put together some inspiring pictures of family members, landscapes, and even one series of plants--may sound odd, but they're beautiful. 

If you're unsure quite what would be best, you could also offer your services to paint a family portrait or something similar. Explain you'd love to make something, but you want to be sure it fits with your recipient's aesthetic. Be prepared for some people to decline (politely, I hope).

Lots of people like inspirational quotes and images; if you have talent in graphic design, calligraphy, or wood-working this could be a good avenue for you. I have a few friends who make gorgeous home decor like this. 

If your talent leans more toward three dimensional pieces, decorative bowls, vases, candle holders, frames, paperweights, coasters, or other such items work well. Small boxes or bowls to hold things like keys, jewelry, and coins are useful and easy to store. If your items are more utilitarian, make sure your recipient knows that, for example, the plate can safely hold food without leeching anything into food, and how to care for it (handwashing vs dishwasher, proper kinds of soap). Little trinkets like prisms, whose primary purpose is to be beautiful, are also good ideas.

OUTDOOR ITEMS

A family moving to a new house might appreciate a handmade address sign, stepping stones, decorated planting pots, wind chimes, bird feeder, or garden sculpture. Of course, be sure your recipient knows the pieces are safe for the outdoor weather, and take a moment to think about the climate and any pets who might try to chew on something.

OTHER IDEAS

You might be able to craft toys or even board games for children, or make a piece reflecting the child's favorite animal or hobby. You might even be able to illustrate a short book. For babies, perhaps a piece to help parents mark milestones like the first time a baby sits up, smiles, crawls, etc.

I have a few family members who make stationery. Whether made with rubber stamps, graphic design programs, found items like pressed flowers, individual drawings and paintings, homemade paper, other card cut into collage pieces, or anything in between, they're useful and beautiful.

Sewing Tutorial: Charming Soft Baby Cube Toy

I first made one of these as a baptism present for my cousin’s baby girl. The six symbols are an Ichthus (Jesus fish), Alpha and Omega, INRI (Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudoreum, Latin for Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews), an IHS symbol (Latin for In Hic Signa, which means in this sign, from the story of Constantine’s conversion to Christianity), a Chi-Ro (one way to abbreviate Christ, again from Latin), and a cross. I later also made a set of simpler ones with geometric shapes: circle, square, triangle, octagon, star, and heart. Both sets of shapes are in the PDF at the bottom of the page, which you can download to act as a guide for cutting the shapes.

She's one of my godchildren

SUPPLIES

Six charm squares or one quarter yard of background fabric

Six charm squares or one quarter yard of fabric for the shapes/symbols

Poly-fil or other stuffing

Optional: 6-12 jingle bells

DIRECTIONS

Prewash and iron your quarter yard of background fabric. Cut six 5x5 inch squares, one for each of the cube’s faces, or iron your six background charm squares. If you’re using a single cut of fabric and want all the faces the same size, you can also cut a cross shape told fold into a cube.

 I still sewed along the edges of this one to help it keep its shape.

Prewash and iron your second fabric, or iron your second six charm squares. Cut your desired shapes and appliqué them onto the six faces of the cube. 

Assembly line!

Using a quarter-inch seam allowance, sew the faces to each other right sides together along their edges. Leave an inch or two open for turning and stuffing. Be sure they’re facing the ways you want them to, and that they’re in the order you want. The arrangement is completely up to you, just be sure you do it the way you mean to. 

 For the religious symbols, I like the Ichthus and the Alpha and Omega on opposite sides, the INRI and IHS on opposite sides, and the Chi-Ro and cross on opposite sides. For the shapes, I pair them circle and octagon, square and triangle, and heart and star. 

Once they’re sewn and turned, stuff them firmly with Poly-fil or something similar. If desired, put a jingle bell or two in the middle so the cube will make a noise when shaken. Hand stitch up the last little bit, and you’re done!

A bit of thread to close that gap, and they’re ready to be played with. 

Here is the PDF of the symbols and shapes: Shapes and Symbols