Quick Gift Projects: Miscellaneous projects/ideas that were collected fromboth E-Guild lists and individual contributions and are compiled here for your personal use.This section contains ideas or projects that don't have their own page or link, so only adescription is available.

Quick Coasters:
(Hint: Match these to a holiday theme or to the home decor of the recipient).

Buy some of the inexpensive flannel backed vinyl table cloth fabric.

Use thin cotton batting.

Use your preferred method of layering and using (single fold) binding, or layer them w/wrong side out, sew around 75% of it and flip it.

Stack & Stitch - Layer it (finished order) like this:

Pieced or 'top' fabric.
Cotton batting.
Vinyl backed flannel fabric, vinyl down where it would touch wood if it were last.
Backing fabric.
Do a minimal amount of quilting to hold it all together.
Bind the edge with single fold binding.
Machine washable, but dry on low heat or air dry.

Rice Bag: A hot/cold rice bag. Make a muslin bag about 5 x 12-17 inchesand fill with about 2-3 cups of long grain white rice, maybe some cinnamon sticksbroken pieces and whole cloves or lavender, then sew shut. I also like to write thedirections on the muslin bag:

Hot: Heat one to three minutes on high in microwave.
Cold: Chill in freezer 1-2 hours before using. Do not get wet.
Also label for the spices added.

Then make a pillow case for it from some appropriate fabric and tie a ribbonon it. They hold the heat and cold for a very long time. It's a 10 minutedo once you've made one or two.
- Barbara Whatley

Ricebags for teens and the guys: Put the rice bag into the leg of a recycled pair of jeans,and tie off the ends with pieces of bandana. - From Therese Ruff

Gift Ideas to Give Quilters:


Hint for Wrapping Gifts for Quilters: Wrap them in fabric, (or ask the quiltshop to do it for you.)

Quilters Gift #1: A pattern and the fabric to go with it.

Quilters Gift #2: Thread and fat quarters.

Quilters Gift #3: Fabric gift bags with something edible inside. (Niki's Note:Use fat quarters and baste them into bags so they can be undone easily and put into quilts).

Quilters Gift #4: Pincushion or Needlebook, both make up real quick. Forthe Needlecase, here are some basic directions from Susan on Stashbusters (thanks Susan!)Use a 4 X 7 piece of fabric for the front and the lining. Cut a small piece of batting, felt, or fleece for the inside.I didn't even quilt it, but I did make a piece of piping using contrasting fabric for the outer edge,and a corded button loop. Then I put a button on it. It's adorable.

Quilters Gift #5: Fabric in a see through package.

Quilters Gift #6: Gift Certificate from a Quilt Shop or Fabric Store (locally or on-line).

Quilters Gift #7: Tickets to a Quilt Show, Creative Sewing Expo, or class at a local Quilt Shop.

Quilt Kit: I choose a simple pattern, usually something smaller, not a fullsize quilt. I just layer my fabric and cut out two quilts at the same time - one forme and the other one goes into a zipper bag with the instructions. Tie with a ribbonand you have a kit. Sometimes I just gather everything that you would need to make theproject with, put the supplies and the instructions in a zipper bag, a basket or evena nice box. It makes a nice gift for a friend or for yourself when you are ready tostart a new project. -Julianne Flagg

Quilted Pillow: A quilted pillow or a quilt kit that I cut myself.Piece the pillow front or use a convenience panel.

Button Jewelry: Use buttons and other items to create one of a kind pins, earrings, etc.Get the 'hardware' at your local craft store (usually called jewelry findings).

Potholders: Use leftover blocks and denim for backings. See our collection of best potholder hints here.

Pillow Cases/Shams: Pillow cases or shams with either machinequilting or machine embroidery.

Custom Towels: Use machine embroidery, or add a patchwork or appliqueaccent to store bought towels.