[Nfb-krafters-korner] Ideas for fast-made gifts

[Rovig, Lorraine]

In the SCA (the Medieval group Terrance and I are in), members often
exchange gifts at a Twelveth Night party.  I make 30 to 50 gifts that
are Medieval in theme, small, not junk, fast to make, and inexpensive
for my wallet. Here is my best idea from a past endeavor.  

Make tiny needle cases out of pretty cloth with a lining (or already
thick quilted fabric) plus one piece of cloth of another color making 2
"pages" inside, and this inset will hold the needles and pins.  

Sew the outer layer and the inner lining together while inside out
(right side to right side), leaving room for your fingers to turn the
"bag" to the good side, then hand-sew the opening shut or, faster idea,
sew a plain or decorative stitch all around the 4 sides in the same or a
contrasting color after tucking in the sides of your opening.  (Now is a
good time to add the ribbons if you want ribbons to "tie it shut" when
you've finished.) 

Trim or hem a piece of cloth to fold in half inside your needlebook in
order to make 2 pages at one time.  The cloth of the page needs to be a
good weave to hold needles and pins; perhaps two thicknesses of cloth
sewn together for one page.  Hem your page or use pinking sheers so no
unraveling happens or strings pull out. After you have hemmed your
cover, lay your page inside the covers and sew a straight stitch
straight down the middle of your book to make the spine and to hold the
one piece of cloth, thus making 2 pages inside the needlebook.  If you
have time you can add skinny, pretty ribbons to tie shut the book, one
on the front cover and one on the back cover. (Or, before you sew a hem
around the circumference of the cover, sew a longer piece of ribbon
across the midway hemisphere on the outside of your cover and let the
ends extend beyond the edges as the part that will be used to tie the
booklet shut.) 

If you don't have time to add ribbon, you can press the book shut
instead. You might add a pin or two inside to help identify what your
gift is for.  This gift will fit inside a Christmas card.  I notice
people still using this gift that I gave them many years ago.

Cordially,

Lorraine Rovig

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Deborah
Barnes
Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 9:17 PM
To: Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Audrey's Stories

Hi Audrey,

I did love your shories.  My son came home in the middle of it but I was
able to still finish listening to them.  They were all great!!

For the holidays, I'd like to have some really good pie and some cider
to go with my stories.

Deb B. (who's totally depressed because it looks like she'll do like she
does every year--wait too late to make anything for Christmas)
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