A handmade Christmas does not have to mean a handmade quilt. Some of the most loved festive makes take an afternoon and a couple of half metres of fabric.
Here are seven projects that suit quilting cotton perfectly, with the fabric you need for each. Start in November and you will have them finished, and gifted, well before the 25th.
Seven projects to sew this Christmas
| Project | Fabric | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bunting, about 3 m | 1 m, or mix several half metres | An afternoon |
| Reusable gift bags | 0.5 m makes 2 medium bags | 30 minutes each |
| Napkins, set of 6 | 1.5 m | An evening |
| Cushion covers | 0.5 m each | An hour each |
| Table runner | 1 m top, 1 m backing | A day |
| Christmas stockings | See the free pattern | A day |
| Lined apron | See the free pattern | A day |
1. Bunting
Cut triangles 22 cm wide and 27 cm tall, alternating them point up and point down across the fabric so nothing is wasted. Sew pairs right sides together down the two long sides, turn, press, and stitch the tops inside a length of bias binding or ribbon. One metre gives about 24 triangles, enough for 12 double-sided flags or roughly 3 m of bunting. Mixing a few prints with a red and a green solid looks especially festive.
2. Reusable gift bags
Wrapping paper is torn off in seconds and thrown away. A fabric gift bag becomes part of the present and gets used again next year.
Cut two rectangles 27 x 33 cm. One half metre gives you four, enough for two bags.
Sew the sides and bottom with a 1 cm seam, stopping 5 cm from the top on each side, and zigzag the edges.
Fold the top over 1 cm, then 2.5 cm, and stitch to make a channel.
Thread ribbon or cord through the channel with a safety pin, and knot the ends.
3. Napkins
Cut 44 cm squares, then fold and press a 1 cm double hem on every side and stitch. Each half metre gives two napkins, so a set of six needs 1.5 m. For a smart table, make them from a Kona solid that matches one colour in your table runner.
4. Cushion covers
A quick way to make the sitting room feel festive. Follow our envelope cushion cover tutorial: one half metre makes a 45 cm cover, and you can swap them back to everyday covers in January.
5 to 7. Free patterns from Robert Kaufman
Robert Kaufman, whose fabrics we stock, publishes free PDF patterns for festive projects. They are designed for specific prints, but work in any quilting cotton.
Festive Table Runner: a 25 x 64 inch (64 x 163 cm) runner.
Sleigh Bells Stockings: 9 x 18 inch stockings by Empty Bobbin Sewing.
Lined Apron: a gift that gets used every day.
The patterns give quantities in yards. A yard is 91 cm, so one of our half metres is a little more than half a yard. Our post on free quilt patterns has more.
Festive fabrics in stock
The Christmas print
Mini Madness Snowmen
KES 1,000 a half metre
A cheerful small-scale snowman print from Robert Kaufman. Small prints like this are ideal for bunting flags and gift bags, where a large design would be cut in half.
See the snowmen
Reds and greens
Kona solids and Chalk and Charcoal
From KES 800 a half metre
Plain Kona reds and Kona greens tie a festive set together. For a softer, woven look, try Chalk and Charcoal reds. Add Sunroom Stars for a touch of starlight.
See red fabrics
24 coordinated pieces
Winter Days Flannel Fat Quarter Bundle
KES 13,200
Twenty-four soft cotton flannel fat quarters with a cosy winter theme, already coordinated. Enough for a big run of stockings, bunting and gift bags, or a festive throw.
See the bundleOrder early
We deliver across Kenya, but December is our busiest month. Buy your fabric in November and you have time to pre-wash, cut and sew without a last-minute rush.
Plan your Christmas makes with us
Come and lay out fabrics side by side at our shop at Muthaiga Mini Market, or send us your project and we will put a set together.
Shop quilting fabricOr message us on 0798 316 860
Free patterns are published by Robert Kaufman for personal use. Prices correct at the time of writing.
