Quick Gifts
in 25 minutes or less

12. Easy Bookmarks 15 minutes
Use leather or faux suede to make these bookmarks. Cut a 1 1/2" x 8" strip and use a craft knife or small, sharp embroidery scissors to cut a stencil design at one end. Look for small quilting and painting stencils or 1" letter stencils at office-supply or craft stores.

13. Sachets 20 minutes each
These sachets are constructed with an inner bag to hold potpourri. Stitch with right sides facing and 1/4" seams.

For each sachet cut two 4" squares each from muslin and decorative fabric. For the inner bag sew two muslin squares together along three sides. Turn right side out, add one tablespoonful of potpourri, and lightly fill the remainder of the bag with fiberfill. Turn in the opening edges; edgestitch closed.

Stitch three sides of the decorative fabric squares. Trim the corners and turn right side out; press. Slip the filled bag inside, turn in the opening edges and hand stitch closed. Wrap a 30" piece of 1/4"-wide ribbon around the sachet and tie in a bow; trim the ribbon ends.

14. Neck Wrap 20 minutes
Heat this wrap in the microwave for one minute for soothing warmth, or place it in a plastic bag and freeze it for cool relief.

Enlarge the pattern 200% and cut two from fleece. With wrong sides facing and using a 3 mm-wide, 3 mm-long zigzag and a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch the layers together leaving a 4" opening for turning. Restitch the seam for extra security. Turn right side out and fill with flax seed or rice. Securely stitch the opening closed.

From the December 2005 issue of Sew News magazine.