Sewing expert Denise Wild came up with ideas for creating a personalized gift in minutes using old sweaters, fabric trim and other odds and ends.

Embroidered gloves

 
Materials:

• Gloves
• Large hand-sewing needle
• Cotton embroidery floss
• Pencil or marking pen

Instructions:

1. Use the pencil or marking pen to draw your desired design on each glove
2. Thread the needle with the embroidery floss and tie a knot at the end
3. Stitch the pattern using an embroidery hand-stitch such as a backstitch or split stitch (see how at dmc-usa.com)
4. Knot the embroidery thread inside the glove once you’ve finished the pattern

Coffee mug cozy

 
Materials:

• Sweater
• Scissors
• Fabric glue
• Glue gun
• Accessories (buttons, googly eyes, felt, pipe cleaners)

Instructions:

1. Cut off the cuff of your sweater to about 3” from the finished edge
2. Run a line of fabric glue along the raw (cut) edge of the cuff to prevent it from unraveling
3. Use the glue gun to adorn your cozy with various accessories

Decorative scarf

 
Materials:

• Scarf
• Iron-on decal
• Iron
• Cotton pressing cloth
• Ironing board

Instructions:

1. Position the iron-on decal on your scarf as desired
2. Cover the decal and scarf with a cotton pressing cloth, making sure the decal doesn’t shift
3. Hold the iron on the pressing cloth for 10 seconds on high heat, and reposition it
4. Repeat step 3 until the entire decal is secured in place

Holiday toss cushion

 
Materials:

• Pillow
• Fabric
• Scissors
• Fabric spray adhesive

Instructions:

1. Cut a message or holiday shape from your fabric using scissors
2. Spray the back of your holiday shape or message with fabric spray adhesive
3. Position your holiday shape or message on the pillow and press it in place with your hands

Christmas apron

 
Materials:

• Apron fabric
• Decorative print fabric
• Fabric spray adhesive
• Scissors
• Fusible double-fold bias tape
• Iron
• Ironing board

Instructions:

1. Cut the apron fabric to size in your desired apron shape (you’ll find great inspirations on Google Images and Pinterest)
2. Cut holiday shapes from the decorative print fabric
3. Spray the back of your holiday shape with fabric spray adhesive
4. Position your holiday shape on the apron fabric and press it in place with your hands
5. Cut double-fold bias tape in pieces that outline the apron, leaving extra length for the neckband and side ties
6. Wrap the cut edges of the apron fabric with the bias tape, extending the tape where needed for the neckband and side ties
7. Hold the iron on the bias tape for 5 seconds on medium-high heat, and reposition it
8. Repeat step 7 until the bias tape is secured around the apron