More Quick Gifts
from Sew News magazine!

Need more ideas for last-minute gifts? Here are eight more projects that will stitch up quick!

Embroidered Handkerchief
Time: 50 minutes
Purchase a plain handkerchief. Or cut a 12" square from handkerchief linen, and sew a narrow hem around the edges. Transfer the design (flower) to the handkerchief and outline stitch using three strands of embroidery floss.

Shawl
Time: 90 minutes (serger time: 60 minutes)
Purchase 2 yards of 45"- wide fabric. Cut a 24" x 72" rectangle and hem the edges. Accent the ends with beaded fringe or other coordinating trim.

Embossed Velvet Tin
Time: 60 minutes
Deliver goodies in this unique tin. Purchase an unused paint can from a hardware store. You'll also need acetate/rayon velvet, rubber stamp, spray bottle, decorative trim and 1/4"-wide double-stick tape.

Measure the tin height and circumference and add 2" to each measurement. Cut a velvet rectangle that size.

To emboss the fabric, place a rubber stamp on a flat work surface with the rubber side up. With the velvet wrong side facing up, lightly mist the fabric and place over the stamp. Use a hot iron to press over the stamp, holding it level and firm for 15 seconds. Continue embossing until satisfied with the design.

Turn the upper and lower fabric edges to the wrong side, and secure with the double-stick tape. Place tape next to the upper and lower tin edges and secure the velvet to it. Turn under the velvet raw end and tape in place. Attach decorative fringe using the double-stick tape.

From the December 2005 issue of Sew News magazine.