Handmade Gifts: Patterns and Tutorials

In the Curator Household, we observe a completely handmade Christmas. Within our immediate family, not a single gift is purchased; even the smallest children make gifts for their siblings and parents. It’s something we all love, and I personally wouldn’t trade it for the world. Of course, Etsy makes this tradition much easier: with its myriad of patterns and tutorials, there is no end to the handmade gifting possibilities. Here are some of my favorites.

Handmade Gifts: Patterns and Tutorials

Retro Mama is kind enough to share her PDF pattern for Stella and Stewart, two of the cutest owl softies around.

I am personally halfway through Amy Gaines‘ Knit Fairy Doll pattern, and I can’t wait to see my toddler’s face on Christmas morning! This is such a fun knit that I think I’ll actually be sad when I’m finished.

If you’re interested in making a soft toy that’s a bit less traditional, you couldn’t wrong with Fancy Tiger‘s needle felting kit for an anatomical heart.

Is there a book lover on your gift list? Learn the art of Japanese book binding, courtesy of this kit and tutorial by Erin Zam:

Alternatively, you could learn how to take a vintage hardcover book and turn it into a wonderfully funky handbag. Instructions courtesy of Spoonful of Chocolate:

Umecrafts sells fabulous felt food tutorials. I’ve got a sushi-loving nephew who would make me his favorite aunt if I made his this felt set!

This curator is not skilled when it comes to the visual arts, but if Posh Makes says I can make these mushroom paper sculptures with her tutorial, then I’m willing to try! These are amazing:

Little Mama’s Designs is a shop filled with the most adorable iron-on appliques. Think of the endless uses! I’m rather partial to these hedgehogs:

At the end of the day, though, it doesn’t get much more fun than this. There’s a seven year old boy in this house who would be ecstatic to find this in his stocking. Knit around a tennis ball, this bouncy little play bomb is a little boy’s dream, straight of the classic Batman series. Nice pattern, Kitty Miaow Wow!

Happy handmade gifting!

Curator Beatrice