ReTRo HouSeWiFe

STITCH-IT-YOURSELF

Christmas gift ideas for easy sewing

When it comes to making gifts for Christmas, you don't have to be the most talented seamstress on the block. If you can stitch a straight seam and do simple sewing by hand or machine, you can turn out gifts that are both appealing and useful. Take placemats, for example. Make simple rectangle shapes from bold striped cotton denim or sailcloth, allowing a half yard of fabric for each mat. Play up the stripes by stitching on rows of rick rack in varying sizes and contrasting colors. Apply the rick rack rows directly to the stripes, using jumbo size rick rack on the widest stripes, and medium size on smaller stripes.

Another item that's easy to make and costs only pennies is a decorative apron. Choose a half-yard of any dainty floral-printed cotton and make a simple apron by gathering it to a waistband and ties cut from a contrasting solid fabric. To add interest and color, cut a diamond shaped hem and outline with medium size rick rack in the same color as the waistband. Complete the design with another diamond pattern in baby size rick rack . . . .overlapping the larger motif.

GIFTS FOR A tiny baby are always fun to make, and one of the simplest is a reversible bassinet cover. All you need is a yard of quilted cotton gingham with solid color backing, jumbo and baby-size cotton rick rack, and two-inch wide bias hem facing. On the gingham side, attach jumbo rick rack to the quilting stitches to form diamond-shaped motifs. Then apply baby rick rack in another diamond pattern overlapping the first.