the one gift for everyone tutorial

With the holiday season rapidly approaching and 'sew' many handmade gifts to make, wouldn't it be nice if there was one easy gift that you could make for everyone? That was my goal when I created today's simple and fun sewing tutorial. One gift for all of them! 

Quickly mark all your friends and family off the list this holiday season with only minor changes to this reverse appliqué wool felt project. It's super quick and easy and a great way to use special scraps like those teeny tiny vintage squares that you've been hoarding.

I'm sure you're wondering how one beanbag-like project can make everyone on your list happy?  It's easy actually! Change the filling, change the colors, make a few extras and you've got everyone covered. Complete directions follow, but here's a few ideas to help your through the hectic handmade gift giving season:

• Pincushion for your favorite quilter - fill walnut shells
• Scented sachets for the fashionista - fill with lavender or potpourri
• Paperweights for the teacher - fill with metal beads or small fishing sinkers
• Stress toy for the office worker - fill with pvc pellets or seed beads
• Toy pillow for a doll collector - stuff with toyfill
• Pattern weights for a sewing friend - fill with metal beads or small fishing sinkers
• Color learning tool for students  - make six to eight in rainbow colors
• Tic Tac Toe for everyone - make ten, five each in two colors
• Juggling squares for big kids - fill with dried corn, beans or pvc pellets
• Checkers for the family - make sixteen, eight each in two colors. flip over to 'king' your pieces
• Beanbag toss for the picnic goers - make eight and fill them with dried beans, corn or pvc pellets

Feeling extra clever? Still have a few more people on the list? Swap out the circle for a personalized shape:

• For the fiercely independent - personalize them with an initial
• For your best friend - change the circle to heart
• For the game player - swap the circle for pacman and his ghosty friends
• For kids in school - make letters and numbers to help with spelling and math

I could keep going, but half the fun is coming up with new ways to reinvent this simple project. If you're stumped and can't find something for your friend on the list,  leave a comment and we'll try to help you out. With that, let's get onto the easy-peasy tutorial...

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES - per beanbag square

• Nine 1 1/2” patchwork fabric squares
• One 3 1/2” square of lightweight fusible interfacing
• Two 4” wool felt squares^ 
• Coordinating sewing thread
• Olfa circular rotary cutter (optional)
• Scissors
• Filling of your choice 
• Sewing pins (optional) 
• Hand-sewing needle for finishing
• Sewing machine with 1/4in and open-toe foot

DIRECTIONS
Arrange the nine 1 1/2" patchwork fabric squares in three rows of three. Join the squares together in rows using a 1/4" seam, then sew the rows together. Press the seams neatly. Fuse the 3 1/2" square of lightweight fusible interfacing to the back of the patchwork piece to reinforce the seams.

Using the Olfa circular rotary cutter or scissors, cut a 2 1/2" circle from the center of one 4" wool felt square. Tip: if you don't have a circular rotary cutter, look for a small cup or tape rolls to trace. Your circles can be anywhere from 2 1/4"-2 3/4". Don't worry if the size isn't perfect.

Center the wool felt square with the circle over the patchwork piece. Optionally pin it in position. Select a small decorative stitch on your machine or set your machine to a tight zigzag stitch. I used a narrow decorative blanket stitch for my projects. Note: use a very small stitch to prevent the filling from leaking from your beanbag/cushion/everything gift.

Stitch around the circular opening - sew slowly and using the open-toe foot so you can see where you are stitching. When you've finished sewing around the circle, pull the top threads to the back by hand or with the hand sewing needle and tie in a knot to secure them.

Place the second 4" wool felt square on top of the felt/patchwork square with their right sides together. Sew around the outside of the squares using a 1/4" seam and a short stitch length. Leave a 1 1/2" gap on one side for turning. Optionally trim excess bulk in the corners, being careful not to cut the stitching.

Turn the beanbag/cushion/everything gift right side out through the opening and carefully push out the corners with your fingers. Referring to the suggestions above, lightly stuff your project with the filling of your choice.

Carefully sew the opening closed by hand and relax knowing that you've checked another friend off the handmade gift list!

If your list seems never-ending this year, but you still want to give something handmade; use a solid piece of fabric instead of patchwork. Half the work, but just as awesome.

When you're busy sewing for everyone this holiday season, don't forget an extra treat for the most important person in your life. Make something special for you. I'll be keeping that orange pincushion for myself.

Wishing you happy crafting this holiday season, no matter who you might be sewing for!!


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*Looking for wool felt? I purchased all of the wool felt for this project from Two Blue Birdies. I've had terrific service from their shop and will be partnering with them soon for a massive wool felt giveaway. Keep your eyes peeled.