Use Ornamental Needlework To Create Homemade Gifts

Ornamental needlework can be used to add pictures or lettering to one piece of fabric and transfer it to another by binding the two layers together. An applique can be used to create a series of homemade items for a gift exchange.

Custom Shirts

Plain shirts that are constructed of a jersey material or a soft cotton blend can be highlighted, with the addition of pre-manufactured appliques or individual fabric blocks. Fabric patches that already contain stitchery can be hand- or machine-sewed onto the front of a shirt or along its sleeves. For a project that is going to be started from scratch, purchase fabric blocks, fusible web, embroidery floss, and a pattern that will aid with reproducing a design onto each garment.

For pre-manufactured applique designs, you have the option of purchasing products that already contain an adhesive backside. After securing the blocked designs, add a zigzag or straight stitch seam finish around the edge of each applique. 

Coin Purses And Toiletry Bags

A fabric coin purse that contains a metal clasp frame and a toiletry bag that contains a fabric bottom and zippered opening can each be customized and include an applique design that is affixed to one or both sides of the fabric that is used to construct an item.

Metal frames, zippers, and colorful embroidery thread are some notions that can be purchased separately from a kit that is designed to create either item. If you will be giving gifts to both men and women and you would like to limit the amount of needlework that is added to each fabric piece, select two distinct fabric types and some appliques that are representative of a recipient's initials and add one applique to each fabric item.

Ornaments And Wall Hangings

Organza is a sheer fabric type that hand-stitchery can be added to. This type of product can be used to embellish part of an ornament or a wall hanging. Translucent silk or synthetic yarn is used to produce organza and products can be dyed.

Purchase an embroidery pattern that will aid with creating fabric ornaments or ones that will consist of an applique that is affixed to a styrofoam ball or another material that is being used as the base of an ornament. A decorative wall hanging may include a stitched design that will be used as the centerpiece of the artwork and a quilted outline that surrounds the stitchery.

Contact a company that sells products like Kimberbell designs and notions to learn more.