Enter the Dare To Make It! Holiday Contest

The holidays have always been a time to go into sewing and crafting overdrive. I get a rush from thinking about what to make for gifts and decorations. Right this very minute, a fleece jacket for my mom is waiting to be sewn at home ... hope she doesn't see this post!

If you love to sew for the holidays too, check out the Dare to Make It! Holiday contest on CraftStylish.com. All you have to do is share images and information about your holiday projects - gifts or decorations - for this season. The entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. EST, January 12, 2012.

The prize is a package worth more than $200. It includes books and DVDs, full of inspiration and how-to information you can use for the next holiday season.

The prize package includes:

Teach Yourself to Sew, Seasons 1 & 2
Teach Yourself to Sew, special issue
Threads Sewing Guide
Socktopus
Cut the Scraps
Decorating with Papercraft
A collection of CraftStylish magazines (Holiday Decorating, Restyle, Quick Stuff to Sew, Quick Stuff to Make, and Gifts to Make)

One winner will be chosen by the CraftStylish editors. The criteria are creativity, construction, and imaginative use of materials. The winner will be announced on January 17, 2012.

ENTER NOW!

For complete details, see the official rules.

Have fun, and remember, handmade holiday gifts do not have to be ready on Christmas morning. That's an unwritten rule of sewing!

Sarah McFarland, contributor
Posted on Dec 16th, 2011 in sewing

Comments (14)

msewwhat writes: I made a stocking for each of my 4 grandchildren. The two boys are aged 9 and 15. I used gray fleece for the stocking and their favorite football team's fleece for the cuff. I embroidered their names and a couple of snowflakes in silver metallic thread on the cuff and then sewed gold and silver star buttons to it. I stuffed the stockings with candy, fruit strips and other fun stuff.
The two girls are aged 9 and 6. I made a fleece floral stocking and off white cuff embroidered with their names and a couple of snowflakes in gold metallic thread.I used gold sari fabric to make each a drawstring bag which I put a boxed necklace in and stuffed that along with candy into the stocking.
I also made my 9 year old grandson a team fleece hoodie from a free pattern I found online.
I love sewing for my grandchildren. I look forward to it each year. The looks on their faces when they saw those stockings was priceless!
Posted: 11:53 am on December 29th

SewcietyMaven writes: Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukkah to everyone, and may we all create memories like Kathis' with our talents!
I am altering a fabulous long coat with a thick fur collar that I found in a thrift store. It has 5-strand extra long top-stitching throughout, and I cannot wait to wear it.
Posted: 12:18 am on December 23rd

cpkmom writes: I have made pillowcases for all 5 grandchildren again this year, but with a little change: instead of sewing one of my "made especially for you" labels on the inside, I used the embroidery function of my Viking #1+ to add "[heart] Grandma T 2011" to the contrast trim. It had beena long time since I'd tried anything like that, so there were challenges, but I thought they turned out very well!
In addition, I usually make some little gift for the group of girlfriends who share birthdays. Haven't started that yet, but the next birthday isn't until New Year's Eve, so I still have a few days!
I also have some projects started for my husband (such as a western shirt), but those might have to wait until his birthday in January!
Posted: 11:03 pm on December 22nd

NinaLBoston writes: Thanks for the beautiful memories, Kathis.
My mom knitted me a burgundy Chanel-style suit when I was a young married in the 70s.
I STILL HAVE IT – even though the skirt no longer fits. It’s a testament to my mom’s love and patience. I never had the talent for knitting but I’m very thankful that mom taught me to sew – many good memories of Christmas projects past.
No Christmas project for me this year – I’m still finishing drapes for newly-painted living room.

Posted: 1:20 pm on December 22nd

carolrv writes: I am making a yo-yo Christmas necklace to wear with a white shirt on Christmas day. I am using a combination of red prints and green prints. I had never made a yo-yo before so I am learning the technique. I will simply whipstitch the yo-yo's together, alternating colors.
I also made some knit tops and woven bottoms for the "little people" in my life: 2 nieces, between them, have 4 children between the ages of 6 months and 3 1/2 years. I used the multi-size patterns in the Kwik-Sew book "Sewing for Toddlers".
Posted: 8:00 am on December 22nd

Neosha writes: I have made aprons, pillow cases (holiday themed) and Christmas stockings. The stockings are very easy to make. Use any design for a stocking including the header that folds over. Put two pieces of fabric wrong sides together and folded over to have 4 layers of fabric. Cut out stocking (I used pinked rotary cutter). cut 5 inch hanger attach hanger and sew around the stocking. Press, turn top out and the stocking is done. Have made 25 to use for gifts. How easy is that. Used lots of small pieces of fabric. how goood is that!
Posted: 3:10 pm on December 21st

yemini writes: I am seriously concentrating to sew Fabric bags and clutches with special attention to
RECYCLE OLD GARMENTS
PATCH WORK annd gifting to needy. I am srong in trying to make a greener world by SAYING NO TO CARRY BAGS IN SHOPS and super markets . My Gift will definitely encourage people to avoid plastics ! With christmas and new Year the efforts will bear fruits I am sure .

Posted: 2:41 pm on December 21st

unwrittenmelody writes: I sewed a festive dress that I can wear throughout the season and on into the year, fabric is black with really gorgeous maroon flowers on it. I am making aprons for my Mother in law in spring fabrics. I am almost done with the quilt I am working on but it isn't for a Christmas gift.
Posted: 1:57 pm on December 21st

Sewaholic writes: What "Kathis" wrote is so sweet. Here's to making many more Merry Christmas' and wonderful memories!
Posted: 12:10 pm on December 21st

kathis writes: So far, all I have had time for is to shorten some jeans- :-( -
I'd like to relate the story of the beautiful Chanel- style suit my mom made me over 50 years ago. I was 16 and fell in love with a moss green velveteen suit I saw in the window of I Magnin (the most elegant store in San Francisco in 1959) and described it to my mom. At the time we weren't seeing eye to eye, but in an amazing show of love, she managed to find the pattern, the fabric, measure clothes that fit me well and sew the suit in the middle of the night without me knowing about it. This was while she worked full time, and shopped and cared for my two sisters and my father and brother. On Christmas morning there it was- the most beautiful Christmas present I have ever received. She's been gone for over two years now and today would have been her 93rd birthday. Thank you mom and happy birthday!
Posted: 11:40 am on December 21st

Unicorn2162 writes: I sewed tote bags and Table runners for gifts. Next, I will be moving on to Aprons, as there are some spring birthdays coming. Thinking of setting up a business.
Posted: 10:20 am on December 21st

Lise_W writes: this year I have made a polyester brocade vest with a velvet collar for a friend, and am finishing a western shirt for another friend who admired a similar one I had made for my husband - and there are several placemat/table runner sets made from the Gatherings Pattern by Pressed For Time Quiltworks.

Posted: 2:22 am on December 21st

mamalc writes: I received some free applicades (?) and made 8 t-shirts with beautiful Christmas stantas,bears and xmas trees,we're having a tacky t-shirt xmas I also made 6 pillows.I found a cotton curtain panel that was beautiful.It only cost $3.00! I also jazzed up some dish towels with a cute 50's style fabric that was also free. Happy Sewing everyone.
Posted: 7:08 pm on December 20th

maryellen48 writes: My sewing this season has been interesting and more simple than complex. I have made a large variety of napkins and placemats. Some even have some of my blood on them as I was speed-sewing along and clipped my finger with the machine --- twice. I did get the napkin sets done, though, and they are ready to give wrapped into a small table cloth of the same materials.
Posted: 5:14 pm on December 20th

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