Simple Holiday Craft Ideas

Each year, I seem to kind of flip back and forth between wanting to make all the holiday gift items and decorations and just selecting a few small projects to work on. I’m sure there’s a part of me that remembers the unnecessary, self-imposed burnout from the previous year and smartly tries to reel it back in the next, but by the year after, I’m back at it again. What can I say? I’m incorrigible.

Regardless of which end of the cycle you might be on this year, quick, small, handmade projects are always a fun way to sneak in a little special holiday sewing — whether for yourself or others — and I’ve got several on the site that are just perfect for that.

Picked up a few gift cards this year but want to add a personal touch when gifting them? I’ve got two tutorials for handmade gift-card sleeves, so you can add a little of yourself to your card. This tutorial for felt gift-card envelopes includes three design options that can be sewn up without a machine — perfect for hanging out on the couch watching the next Hallmark Christmas movie (anyone else?).

And this tutorial for fabric gift-card sleeves — new to the blog this week! — is the perfect opportunity to fussy cut some of those adorable holiday fabrics you bought but didn’t get around to putting into a quilt (no shade). You can assemble a whole stack of them in just a few hours, and you’ll be all set for those teacher Starbucks cards you just stocked up on.

Or what about some new coasters or a table runner? The free Christmas Cheer Blocks pattern includes simple 6” blocks for the letters “H,” “J,” and “Y.” Add them to the “O” and exclamation-point blocks in the accompanying BOO! Blocks pattern, and you’re all set for the holidays with blocks that can spell out “HoHoHo,” “Joy,” or “Oh Joy!”

The pattern walks you through making the individual blocks and then provides basic instructions for turning them into coasters, a “Joy” pillow, and a “HoHoHo” table runner. The size of these blocks also makes them perfect for sampler-style holiday quilts.

Finally, for the sewing friends in your life (or yourself!), why not whip up a sweet mini pincushion? My Little Town Mini Pinnies tutorial is perfect for fabric fussy cutting or putting those treasured scraps to use. Personalize each one with just the right fabrics for the recipient, then pair it with a good pair of scissors (these curved embroidery scissors from Havel’s Sewing** are my absolute favorites), some embroidery supplies, or your favorite hand-sewing needles, and you’ve got a great little gift set.

**I’m a proud brand ambassador for Havel’s Sewing but would swear by these scissors regardless. You can always use code "blueskycrafter7" on the Havel’s site to get $7 off orders of $25 or more.

(And if you run out of time to make your own, you can find a large selection made by me in the shop!)

Whatever you’re sewing (or not) this year, I wish you all the warmest of holiday seasons and the happiest of new years. Here’s to making ourselves and our world better in 2023!