Monday, October 8, 2018

Gift Making on Sunday




Christmas Pillowcases

Last month, when I sewed pillowcases for my daughter, I thought of making some pillowcases to give as gifts, this Christmas and New Year, using fabric I had in the stash.  A standard pillowcase takes approximately one yard of fabric, so it is a good "stash buster" project!  I used a standard pillowcase I had as my pattern and cut my fabric according to that.  There was enough of the patterned fabric, above, for two pillowcases, but they were short on the length by about six inches, so I cut a strip from a solid red fabric that was also in the stash, and attached it as a border at the open end of the pillowcase.  It added the length that was needed as well as a bit of a design element.  These pillowcases will go to a little boy on my gift list, along with a T-shirt I've embroidered and personalized for him.  I will be making another set of pillowcases and an embroidered T-shirt for his brother, as well.

Today, I cut out and sewed another pair of pillowcases from a different piece of fabric in my stash:

More Christmas Pillowcases
Again, a strip of solid green fabric (although it looks blue in the photo) to give length to the pillowcase.  Haven't decided who will get this set of pillowcases and what other gift(s) I might include with them (maybe a book to read in bed?).  I have now used up two pieces of fabric from the stash!

In addition to sewing pillowcases, I spent some time making preparations for the upcoming prayer gathering and almsgiving.  I checked my stock of the various items I will be needing, such as paper dessert bowls, trash bags, plastic forks, etc.  I have been buying a few items at a time and I have plenty and more.  Then, I called all the people who regularly participate in the prayer group and confirmed the date with them.  I also called and invited a couple of my friends who aren't in the regular group, but they usually attend the event when I host it.  Then, I made a tentative menu and a grocery shopping list.  This is one of the few times when I make a menu and shop for the items, rather than buying what is on sale and cooking it.  I leave myself a little wiggle room - I might substitute one dish for another - but, on the whole, the menu has been decided.  I will prepare rice and curries and dessert will be fresh fruits and either a flan or a pie (or both!)

Today, I was grateful for:
- The fabric stash
- Being able to sew another gift
- Phone calls from family and friends (in addition to the calls I made)
- Being well stocked with household supplies
- Cooler weather

Sunday's To Do List:
- Remove the slip covers from the 2nd sofa and start washing them
- Water the front garden
- Daily walk - DONE
- Clean the 3rd bedroom
- Put away dried laundry - DONE
- Call and remind people of the rosary prayer gathering date - DONE
- Sew another holiday gift - DONE
- Check supplies - DONE
- Make prayer gathering menu and grocery shopping list - DONE

Monday's To Do List:
- Wash sofa slip covers
- Water the front garden
- Start on the 3rd bedroom
- Take the trash cans to the curb

How was your Sunday?  Do you have a holiday, tomorrow (Columbus Day)?  What are your plans for the up-coming week? 

8 comments:

  1. I love the pillow case gifts. I would dd a pretty pen and a blank journal for recording dreams and a homemade spray bottle of lavender sleep spray. Now I am dashed that I don't have a fabric stash. Maybe I could go through Mom's?

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    1. Anne, thank you for the suggestions! A blank journal and pen is a great idea! Certainly go through your Mom's stash (if she'll let you!) :)

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  2. The pillowcases are very attractive and the plain border really makes them look classy. Sometimes necessity makes for great results! Now I'm wondering if I have any fabric that could be used in this way. I also wonder if I could just dress up some plain pillowcases that are on special, using a fancy border or some lace from my stash.

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    1. Thank you, Bushlady. I hope you have some fabric in your stash with which to make some pillowcases. You could also buy some pillowcases on sale and dress them up. A lace edging would be lovely. :)

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  3. Pillow cases are very useful gifts. If you have leftover fabric, you can make a sleep mask to go with them. :)

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    1. Thank you, Nil. A matching sleep mask is an excellent idea!

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  4. Love the idea of using a solid colour border. Someday, I will probably want to try my hand again at using my sewing machine; but for now, I seem to have enough on my plate.

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    1. Thank you, Susan. The solid colored border provides a nice contrast, doesn't it? Maybe, next year, after the Christmas rush is over and it is still too soon to garden, you might do some sewing. :)

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