You do not have to wait for a special occasion to do something nice for a friend, nor do you have to give a big present to bring a smile to someone’s face. Giving a hand-made gift is a great way of letting special friends know how much they mean to you.
So, why not get out your sewing machine and make someone a very personal gift from some fabric and thread? For example, a handy cosmetic bag for your best friend, a decorative book cover for someone who loves reading, a pretty flowerpot cover, comfy cushions or a selection of uniquely personal fashionable accessories. If you have a bit of leftover fabric at home, you can even start straight away!
Each item is illustrated by a stunning photograph and accompanied by a list of materials required and detailed step-by-step instructions. A separate pattern sheet contains patterns for all the gifts described in this book and includes very easy-to-follow instructions. Gift - giving is even more fun if you make it yourself!
© Naumann & Göbel Verlagsgesellschaft mbH
a subsidiary of VEMAG Verlags- und Medien Aktiengesellschaft
Emil-Hoffmann-Straße 1, 50996 Cologne (Germany)
www.vemag-medien.de
Cover pictures: Ullrich Alber (b. and a.l.), TLC Fotostudio (a.r.)
Translation from German: Susan Ghanouni in association with First Edition Translations Limited, Cambridge, UK
Overall production: Naumann & Göbel Verlagsgesellschaft mbH
All rights reserved
ISBN 978-3-8155-8844-4
You may download all the pattern pieces that go with this e-book as PDF files using the following link:
www.naumann-goebel.com/gifts
Further information about printing and using your sewing pattern may also be found on the above-mentioned page.
Place the cutting paper underneath the pattern piece, then slip a sheet of dressmaker’s tracing paper between the two, with the carbon side face down. Using a tracing wheel or a pencil, trace along all the pattern lines in the same colour, or the ones that correspond to your size. Next, transfer all the other markings – such as darts, fabric grain and fold lines. When copying the pattern pieces, make sure that the sheets of cutting paper are spaced in such a way that the individual pattern pieces are positioned separately on the paper without overlapping.
Cut out each pattern piece from the sheet of paper exactly along the outer lines you have drawn. Finally, make a note on the paper indicating which pattern piece it is and how many times it should be cut from the fabric. Where necessary, mark any edges to be aligned with the fabric fold. Repeat this procedure for all the pattern pieces.
… a remnant? Any scrap of fabric measuring less than 15 cm × 15 cm is considered to be a remnant.
… level of difficulty? The level of difficulty ascribed to each pattern is indicated by small symbols. A single symbol indicates ’easy‘, signifying designs which are relatively easy to sew, even for beginners. Patterns accompanied by two symbols are of intermediate difficulty. Three symbols indicate a more complex and time-consuming design which should be attempted by more experienced sewing fans only.
… an arrow → on the pattern sheet? Each pattern piece includes an arrow indicating the direction of the nap or grain of fabric.
Foreword
Using a sewing machine
Bags and practical accessories
Clutch purse
Cosmetic bag
Smartphone case
Digital camera case
Tablet holder
Book cover with bookmark
Penguin pendant
Cupcake pin cushion
Pretty and practical gift ideas for the home
Handmade picture frame
Reversible plant pot cover
Place mats with cutlery holders
Bread basket
Egg warmers
Lavender scent bags
Tissue box covers
Dotty the neck pillow cat
Comfy decorative cushions
Trendy fashion accessories
Triangular scarf
Loop scarf
Trendy tie belt
Cosy wrist cuffs
Trendy brooches
Sleep mask & ballerina slippers
Glossary
How nice to give someone special a little present – especially when the gift is something you have made yourself. So why not have a go and show how much you care? With a few pieces of leftover fabric and coloured threads, you and your sewing machine can create charming gifts to grace the home, useful little bags, attractive pendants and fashionable accessories.
Surprise your best friend with a colourful purse, an attractive scarf or a charming brooch whilst IT enthusiasts will love the gift of an original camera case or a tablet holder! You could even present someone with a lovely memento of a joint holiday in the form of a photo displayed in a homemade frame and stressed friends will never again want to be parted from their cat-shaped neck cushion, filled with cherry stones! It is also a safe bet that your four-legged friends and their owners will absolutely love your gift of a new dog cushion.
There is no need to wait for a special occasion to bring pleasure to someone special. Sit down at your sewing machine today and simply get started. The full-size patterns provided and the precise step-by-step instructions will guarantee that your gifts will turn out perfectly. So, double the joy of gift-giving by not only bringing pleasure to the recipient, but enjoying yourself at the same time!
Rabea Rauer and Yvonne Reidelbach
To sew successfully you need a sewing machine that works well and selects many settings automatically. This is especially helpful for beginners with no experience to rely on, but also makes life considerably easier for more advanced sewers.
The basic requirements for a new sewing machine are that it should be very easy to handle and operate. Thanks to computer technology, it offers 225 sewing programmes, seven different buttonholes and a wide range of stitches, making it attractive even for those who only have a small budget available.
It is easy to select stitches using the selector buttons. Infinitely variable stitch width and length can be set – even while sewing – using sliders.