Quick Gifts
in 25 minutes or less

As the holidays get closer and time runs out–don't panic! These last-minute gifts will save the day.

1. Bottle Bag 20 minutes
Slip a bottled beverage in a lined bag. Use 1/2" seams and stitch with right sides facing.

Cut one 14" x 16" rectangle each from decorative fabric and lining. Stitch the fabric and lining together along one 14" edge. Fold the resulting piece in half lengthwise and stitch around the perimeter leaving a 5" opening in one lining seam. Turn the bag right side out through the opening. Turn in the opening raw edges and edgestitch closed. Push the lining inside the bag and topstitch the upper edge layers together. Attach the center of a 24"-long cord at the side seam, 4" from the upper edge.

2. Wool Coasters 15 minutes
Using felted wool, cut two 4" squares for each coaster and trim off each corner the same amount. Thread a needle with a 48" length of #5 Perle cotton; knot the ends together. Use 1/4"-long running stitches to hand stitch the squares together around the edges. Tie off the thread by taking a couple backstitches between the layers.

From the December 2005 issue of Sew News magazine.