Get into the holiday spirit by cozying up to your sewing machine with a cup of peppermint tea. Use your talents to create festive decorations and ornaments for your home or gifts that friends and family are sure to love. Here are directions to sew three simple holiday projects. 

A Guide to Holiday Sewing Projects 

1. Sweater Stockings 

Search your closet or visit a nearby thrift store for a cozy cable-knit sweater. Wash it, and lay it flat to dry. Turn it inside out, and pin a stocking pattern to the sweater. Cut around the edge of the pattern twice so you have two matching stocking halves. Sew them together, adding a  loop of leftover fabric for hanging. 

2. Snowflake Pillowcases 

Print out a snowflake pattern, no more than 15 inches in diameter. Lay it on a half yard of off-white felt, and cut out two snowflakes. Next, cut two 18-by-18-inch squares from red felt for the pillow top and four 12-by-18-inch backing pieces. Sew a snowflake to each pillow top. Place two backing pieces right side down, on top of the pillowtop. Use a sewing machine to stitch along the perimeter, then turn the finished pillow inside out and stuff. 

3. Treat Bags for Baked Goods 

Choose a holiday-themed fabric, and assemble all nonperishable ingredients to make a batch of cookies, including flour, sugar, jams, nuts, spices, and baking powder. Cut two pieces of fabric large enough to cover the assembled ingredients by half. Use a sewing machine to stitch the sides and bottom together to make a sack, leaving the top open.  

After turning the sack right side out. Fold the top down a quarter inch and sew to create a seam. Flip the seam back inside the bag, and push it to the bottom. The sack should be half as tall now. Flip the top down another inch, and iron it to create an edge. Place the ingredients inside and tie with ribbon. 

If you’re looking for an affordable sewing machine to spark holiday creativity, look no further than Kramer’s Sew & Vac. For more than 65 years, they’ve been supplying new and pre-owned sewing machines to Cincinnati area residents. You can even trade in an old sewing machine for credit on a new one. Browse their used sewing machines online, or call (513) 891-5005 for answers to questions about specific models.