One More Gift Idea

My daughter told me that her 20-month-old could use a pillow. A regular size pillow seems too big for my granddaughter, so I bought a travel size pillow. Of course she would need some pillowcases for her new pillow! I went looking for some fun fabrics. I found some great cat fabric in my stash and bought the green floral fabric at the quilt shop.
One-half yard of fabric is plenty for a pillowcase for this size pillow. Cut the fabric 13 1/2" x width of fabric, and remove the selvages. Fold the fabric in half, right sides together. (folded piece will measure 13 1/2" x ~ 22") Using a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch both side edges. Serge or zig-zag the raw edges of the seams. Press under 1/4" along the top edge of the pillowcase; then turn under another 3" to form the top hem. Press. Stitch the hem close to the turned-under edge. Turn pillowcase right side out and press.
A quick and easy gift for a toddler or a traveler!

Little Aprons

My almost-three-year-old granddaughter loves to help out in the kitchen. My daughter suggested that I make her some aprons for Christmas. They were fun to make and turned out very cute! The pattern I used is Simplicity 2626.
Contrary to what I usually do, I went out and bought new fabrics for this project. Each apron took 3/4 yard of fabric and I didn't have any hunks of "little girl" fabric in my stash.
Now when she's helping to make pizza or frost cupcakes, my granddaughter's clothes will stay a little cleaner! And I have leftover fabric scraps to add to my collection. :)

Newest Christmas Stocking

Traditionally I have been the one to make Christmas stockings for family members. All of a sudden it dawned on me that another was needed this Christmas--for my granddaughter who was born in June.
I always use the same basic template for the stocking, but try to make each one a little bit different. This time, I used some Christmas charm squares. I sorted them by color (red and green), then pieced them together until I had "fabric" large enough to cut a front and back for the stocking.
It is fun to imagine what treasures the stocking will hold in the years to come!