I love what you said about not being scared of or intimidated by teenagers. You have to spend time with them to get their sense of humor and their perspective ❤

Two thoughts.

If you are making projects like pouches, or pencil cases and a laptop sleeve, get some extra fabric so you can give them further gifts that match what they've already been given. You can keep the series going for a series of special events (birthday, Christmas, the start of the school year), and gradually building up a collection of matching things is something they'll appreciate.

When your kids ask you to make something for them, make that project a priority. A request like that means they've connected your time and effort with your love for them. I once told a young child that when someone makes them a gift, it's another way of saying "I love you." They brightened up, because they were wearing something Grandma had made.

I always give money, but last year I also made seat belt pads.  I used sports teams fabric, or special interests (one is into llamas), or favorite colors.  I wrote a poem to go with them.  The seat belt pads are super easy to make, 2 pieces of fabric 6.5 x 10.5 sew together and turned, with batting in between.  Then long strips of velcro on opposite long sides, to attach them to the seat belt.  Super fast and you can use scraps. It looks like a "nothing" gift because all it is only two pieces of fabric sewn together and lays flat until you wrap it around the seat belt.   I found directions on YouTube.  Here's the poem.......sorry it is so long!

A POEM ABOUT YOUR GIFT

It really looks quite funny,
It’s really nothing much.  
What did Grandma give me?
I think she’s out of touch.

I know she likes her sewing,
Making quilts and things,
But this little piece of fabric,
It doesn’t even have zing.

So here is how you use me:
When you drive your car,
Put me around your seat belt,
It’s really better by far.

Make me into a burrito,
Attach me at the back,
And your neck will thank me,
Your skin won’t have a hack.

I’ll ride along so quietly,
I won’t tell you how to drive.
Grandma will be happy,
When you come back home alive.

So always use your seatbelt,
It’s the law, you know.
Grandma wants you back home safe,
Because she loves you so !!


MERRY CHRISTMAS 2024 !!

I've made many pillowcases with hidden pockets,  every one loves them!

I now have a teenage grandson, but when MY children were teens I made them pajama pants with cargo pockets in novelty fabrics (lounge pants). In addition,  I made boxers, liked by boys and girls! The bonus was,  my husband and I both worked in pediatrics, so that novelty fabric got a lot of mileage as scrubs and work vests.

I made 15 pillowcases from your pattern last Christmas.  Fabrics: star wars, minecraft, haunted mansion, grateful dead and disney princesses. They were for several adults and kids.a big hit.

You mentioned my top pick which is pouches.  Pouches of all shapes and sizes.  Not just good for teens, but for everyone.  I don't think people realize they even want them until you gift them and then they are hooked!  :)

I made a fanny pack for a 15 year old girl for a vacation - fully expecting her to roll her eyes and wear it out of obligation (even though she told me the fabrics she wanted) and she ended up loving it and requesting another in a different colorway for Christmas :)

Teens love pillowcases. I made them for my daughter’s friends one year. They all loved them. Now I’ve moved on to quilts. One I gave a military themed quilt. Loved it. One I gave a soccer themed quilt. Just used a three yard quilt pattern enlarged for a very tall kiddo. Super easy to put together but it turned out really well. Mom takes it to soccer games when it’s chilly. Kids are fun to sew for.

I took my grands to the fabric store to pick out their fabrics and pattern for their graduation quilt. They love their quilts.

I agree. If I can't figure out anything else, the ornament and cash are really good and easily mailed. Same with pillowcases. I am making a ditty bag for my oldest gr'son, who spends fair time there on the grounds to tend their livestock and he also goes on fishing weekends with his Gr'parents. I bet you are excited to sew in your new space. So happy for you finding your new home. What a perfect Christmas gift for the family.

Congratulations on your new home. Thank you for sharing your little sewing space. It is so encouraging that you can sew wherever you are

I give cash in a handmade item when I do mot have any other ideas. I asked my neighbor older teens what colors they like and then figured out a pattern for quilts. Candy works too😂😂.
Thank you for the great ideas.

Nikki, Your videos are the best! Fun! Creative! Practical! And, inspiring!

Good luck with the move and Thankyou so much for all your sharing, you are so kind xxx

Just found you recently and your videos as they are right up my alley.  I am a quilter and enjoy sewing handmade gifts.  You have also inspired me to try sewing clothing and definitely interested
in how you alter things to fit.   Lucy Goosey and her little rain outfit are adorable too.  I get what you are saying about teenage boys.  My son wanted a plain charcoal gray bed covering when asked
about colors for his room.

I mad a quilt for my now 44 year old son when he was 16.  He wanted a green quilt but had no idea about pattern.  I cut snippets from every fabric I could find that even hinted at wanting to be green and made him a green quilt.  One of the fabrics had little smiley faced bugs on it.  His first comment upon receiving the quilt was "Eww, happy bugs!"  He now says that the happy bugs are his favorite part of the very worn quilt and wanted to know if I had any of that fabric left so I could make him another one.

We decided this year to not purchase Christmas gifts, if anything, I was told I can make the gifts. My son and his fiancée had previously wanted his and hers aprons since they cook together a lot. I had just gotten a ton of new fabric and showed them what I got and told them to choose their favorites. Didn’t say what for, but used those fabrics to make their aprons. You’re right - younger is HARD to come up for!

My youngest grandchild is 19 and just went away to college. For the past 5 years, I have made him pillowcases for his birthday. I let him pickout the fabric. When he left for college, he took all the ones I made with him. It was so sweet. One of the fabrics he picked out this year was a Kaffe Fassett fabric called Twig.

My son lives in Chicago and he just asked me for a tote bag with crossbody length straps because his tote bag falls off his shoulder in the winter because his coat is slippery. People in Chicago use totes because they walk to the stores, library, work etc. so much. I always see so many people carry them there.