Handmade gifts are the best, and few can appreciate that as much as your friends, who likely understand how precious your time is. Sometimes when a birthday is coming into sight, all the good ideas seem to have evaporated. I hope that this list will help you hone in on a meaningful gift to sew for that special friend in your life!

no. 1 Covered Journals

A pretty journal is an invitation to tuck away ideas, notes and dreams for the future. Sew a reusable patchwork cover in colors or shapes that celebrate your friend. These covers are made to fit over a Mead composition notebook - the kind that abound in the USA at the start of each new school year. Makes a great quilt journal if you opt for a graph paper composition book!

no. 2 Quilted Bag

Here is an opportunity to make something really special with your scraps. Consider a monochromatic color scheme so that you can target a favorite color (and keep it wearable for the recipient). Leather straps and dense quilting give a quilted bag a professional finish.

no. 3 Potholders

Is your intended a really practical person, a foodie or a cook? You can’t go wrong with a quilted potholder. Potholders always need refreshing, right? Add fresh baked cookies or a baking mix set to complete the gift.

no. 4 Makeup Roll

Once upon a time I created a pattern for this customizable make up roll and sewed gifts for all the women in my life, haha! It may seem superfluous, but this make up roll is a treat to use whether at home or on the go. Everything in its place and no rummaging through a pouch. Plus, it is so pretty.

no. 5 Bookmarks

Tell your friend what you love most about him or her in one, powerful word. These hand stitched bookmarks are surprisingly quick to make. Take your time in choosing that meaningful word, then tuck it into a book. Everyone in book club would love one!

no. 6 Slouchy Bag

This is that kind of bag that gets uses for everything - library books, snacks or that on-the-go sewing project. A slouchy bag is un-quilted and thin, thus compact and easy to pack. It’s a celebration of patchwork in practical form. Have fun!

no. 7 Needle Book

Need a gift for the sewist in your life? A charming needle book will be a delightful surprise. Create a simple pocket inside and sew down a piece of felt at center for needles. It’s tiny but mighty.

no. 8 patchwork Art

Ok, so I haven’t yet given patchwork art as a gift, but I think it would be a very nice one. I would choose a machine paper piecing motif that is significant to my friend, like a favorite animal, a mountain, word etc., and keep it small scale so that she can easily find a place for it in her home.

Did I forget something special? What is your favorite gift to sew for a friend? I’d love to hear!