And alas, the holidays are upon us! I feel like the holidays always seem like some distant event.. Until they are 2 weeks away. And panic mode sets in because you haven't gotten a single gift for a single family member. i.e. Me. Every. Single. Year.

The holidays are also slightly tougher (at least financially) for us because I am a December baby. And I LOVE celebrating my birthday. Like, it's a big deal. I do not take it lightly. So it's almost like a double whammy, with celebrating both my birthday & the holidays. All within a few weeks of one another.

Which means.. DIY holiday gifts are my JAM. I love being able to create something meaningful for my family members, on the cheap.

And I feel like as a seamstress (ahem, modiste!) easy sewing projects are the best route to go for DIY holiday gifts. So. With this post, I wanted to put together some of our projects from here on The Flora Modiste that I think would make excellent DIY holiday gifts.

Easy sewing projects that can be made almost entirely using scrap materials that you most likely already have just lying around the house. Because if you'll recall.. I have been on a bit of a rampage this year with getting rid of the scrap fabric in my sewing box. I live in a pretty small space, so just holding on to fabric for years at a time isn't really my thing.

But I also don't want to just create something to create something. Or give something just to give something.

I want to use that scrap fabric for meaningful projects & DIY holiday gifts that are actually needed and will actually be used. (Because really. Who likes getting a gift that they know they will never use? Not only is it a waste of money, but it's also a waste of resources.)

So. I'm hoping this post on DIY holiday gifts will inspire you to create something for the most important people in your life. All while saving money and being less wasteful! And not to mention.. You'll also be increasing your sewing education with a few of these easy sewing projects. It's kind of a win-win-win situation, am I right?

(One of my favorite DIY holiday gifts of all time: The sewing kit! The perfect gift for the girl (or guy!) in your life that has been wanting to learn how to sew, but doesn't know where to start. Learn how to build a sewing kit today with our complete, printable guide below.)

DIY holiday gifts: Easy pet bandanas

Because everyone loves their pups, am I right?! I don't know about you guys, but pretty much everyone in my immediate family has pups. And I always try to get my sister's pups a present or two.. So why not mix it up this year and make them a custom DIY pet bandana?

Earlier this year we covered how to make an easy pet bandana with a step-by-step DIY sewing tutorial. It is SERIOUSLY one of the easiest sewing projects we have covered here on The Flora Modiste.

And not only will you be making a sweet little gift for the pups in your life.. But you'll also be using up all of those fabric scraps in your sewing box!

Which means.. This gift is pretty much free. And can be finished in only an hour or so! Yes, please.

(One of my favorite DIY holiday gifts of all time: The sewing kit! The perfect gift for the girl (or guy!) in your life that has been wanting to learn how to sew, but doesn't know where to start. Learn how to build a sewing kit today with our complete, printable guide below.)

DIY holiday gifts: Patchwork pillows

Because who doesn't love pillows?! I particularly love making patchwork pillows (they are just so colorful & pretty!) but you can also just make a solid colored pillow, of course.

The steps are essentially the same--Patchwork pillows just require a bit more work in creating that patchwork grid. We did a full sewing tutorial on how to make a patchwork pillow earlier this year, so if choosing to make the patchwork grid, make sure to check out that post!

And again.. As with the pup bandanas, patchwork pillows are a great DIY project to help use up all of that scrap fabric just sitting in your sewing box.

Some of the smaller fabric squares in my patchwork pillow grid measured like 2" x 4". So if you have a ton of tiny little scraps just sitting in your sewing box, this project is for you!

And as if you need another reason to make a DIY patchwork pillow.. If you have any old pillows that you want to get rid of, use them as the stuffing for these pillows. (And then go and buy yourself some new pillows!) Again, a win-win situation. And it's pretty much free!

(One of my favorite DIY holiday gifts of all time: The sewing kit! The perfect gift for the girl (or guy!) in your life that has been wanting to learn how to sew, but doesn't know where to start. Learn how to build a sewing kit today with our complete, printable guide below.)

DIY holiday gifts: Homemade laundry soap

Ahh laundry soap. I have been making my own DIY laundry soap for the last two years or so now.. And I am NEVER going back to regular detergent. In our post from earlier this year on how to make DIY laundry soap, I go into all of the reasons WHY you should make your own soap. (And believe me, there are many.)

But for now, let me just tell you: It is SO incredibly easy to make your own soap. Yes, it takes a bit more time & effort than just picking up a nasty tub of regular detergent from the shelf at Target..

Not only do you know EXACTLY what you are cleaning your clothes with by making your own laundry soap, but you also use WAY less of it. And it's also incredibly cheap to do. Simply pick up all of the ingredients (literally just a box of Borax, Washing Soda, and a couple bars of Castile Soap), a cute jar, and some ribbon.. And you're good to go!

I'm guessing it would cost maybe $5 per jar to make a batch of DIY laundry soap. And you could even write out the instructions on a cute little card, so they will continue making the soap after it runs out.

I love this gift in particular because not only is it useful.. But it also encourages conscious, healthy habits.

(One of my favorite DIY holiday gifts of all time: The sewing kit! The perfect gift for the girl (or guy!) in your life that has been wanting to learn how to sew, but doesn't know where to start. Learn how to build a sewing kit today with our complete, printable guide below.)

DIY holiday gifts: Custom thread box

This DIY project from earlier this year was actually one of my favorite ones that we did! Up until I had this sweet little DIY thread box, my thread organization was a hot mess. I seriously just had this little bag that I threw all of my spools of thread into. (Not even kidding.) It was just a wild, tangled mess.

So my husband & I put our heads together, and we came up with this sweet little box! Not only does it store an insane amount of thread, but the box itself is pretty slim and takes up very little space. (Which is pretty important for us because we live in such a small space.)

All in all, the total for the project came out to about $40, and took us a few hours in an afternoon. (And I think you could even cut down on the cost of the project if you already have a paintbrush and some paint.)

But really--If you aren't a big seamstress, but know someone that is (who could use a little help in the organization department) this would be an AMAZING gift. And this is coming from a seamstress that earlier this year needed a lot of help in the organization department.

If interested in making this project for someone as a DIY holiday gift, check out the full post! Not only does it walk you through how to create the thread box, but it also includes a list of everything that is needed to purchase for it.

(One of my favorite DIY holiday gifts of all time: The sewing kit! The perfect gift for the girl (or guy!) in your life that has been wanting to learn how to sew, but doesn't know where to start. Learn how to build a sewing kit today with our complete, printable guide below.)

DIY holiday gifts: Build a sewing kit

Ahh the sewing kit. One can literally not start sewing without one. If you know someone that is really wanting to start sewing.. Building them a sewing kit would be SUCH AN AMAZING GIFT. Really.

I remember when I first started building my sewing kit. It was when I was a senior in high school & the mentor for my senior project gave me a list of things to go buy.. And I was like a lost little puppy.

Thankfully, I met some nice old lady at the fabric store who helped me out. But not everyone has that, you know? In one of our very first posts, we covered how to build your own sewing kit. The post lists out everything needed for an absolute beginner, and is the perfect place to start sewing.

So if you happen to know someone that has just been hesitating to take the leap into sewing.. Make them a sewing kit! As above with the DIY thread box, this would be SUCH a thoughtful gift. (And requires no sewing skills on your part!)

(One of my favorite DIY holiday gifts of all time: The sewing kit! The perfect gift for the girl (or guy!) in your life that has been wanting to learn how to sew, but doesn't know where to start. Learn how to build a sewing kit today with our complete, printable guide below.)

DIY holiday gifts: A few more ideas

Alright guys. The 5 gift ideas above are all projects we have covered how to make/create here on The Flora Modiste. But I also wanted to recommend a few DIY holiday gifts that I have purchased myself, and have reviewed here on the blog.

(And no. Not getting paid or receiving any sort of commission for recommending the projects below. I just really love them from my own experience!)

If you aren't really a seamstress and are terrified at the idea of making someone a DIY pup bandana or a patchwork pillow.. And aren't even on the scale of crafty for a DIY thread box, then the two options below might be right up your alley.

As a seamstress (ahem, modiste) I would LOVE either of the gifts below. And I think they would both be great options for the seamstress/quilter in your life. (Because we all have at least one, right?)

(One of my favorite DIY holiday gifts of all time: The sewing kit! The perfect gift for the girl (or guy!) in your life that has been wanting to learn how to sew, but doesn't know where to start. Learn how to build a sewing kit today with our complete, printable guide below.)

DIY holiday gifts: DIY constellation quilt

I actually received my DIY constellation quilting pattern for Christmas last year, from my father! I wasn't able to really start it until a few months ago, but I have been pretty much obsessed with it ever since I started it. (It's almost like an addiction really. Once you get started, you just can't stop!)

The DIY constellation quilting pattern is made by a company called Haptic Lab. They actually make a variety of quilting patterns, but I really wanted the constellation pattern of the Northern Hemisphere, since that's where I live. And not only does the company sell the DIY quilting patterns..

So if you know someone that loves quilting (but isn't necessarily a seamstress) or lives somewhere incredibly cold, these would also be great gifts. And you would be supporting a small, independent business as well.

I haven't finished my DIY constellation quilt yet (hoping to by the end of the year) but I have written two posts all about my quilting journey. This is the first quilting project I have EVER tackled, so there was a bit of a learning curve. Check out Part One & Part Two on my quilting for beginners series if at all interested in purchasing for a newbie!

(One of my favorite DIY holiday gifts of all time: The sewing kit! The perfect gift for the girl (or guy!) in your life that has been wanting to learn how to sew, but doesn't know where to start. Learn how to build a sewing kit today with our complete, printable guide below.)

DIY holiday gifts: DIY lingerie kits

I have completed two different DIY lingerie kits from Madalynne, the queen of lace & lingerie, this year! And I am seriously NEVER going back to store bought lingerie, ever ever again.

As with the DIY constellation quilt.. I had never sewn lingerie before buying the Madalynne DIY sewing project kits. Which is precisely WHY I purchased the kits. Because I had no idea what I was doing, and I needed both help & direction.

So if you (or someone you know!) is at all interested in the venture of DIY lingerie, I 100% recommend purchasing the DIY kits from Madalynne. As with Haptic Lab, by purchasing from Madalynne, you will be supporting an independent small business owner.

And also--Madalynne doesn't JUST sell DIY kits. She also sells ready made bras & panties, available on her site. So even if you are just looking to buy from a small, independent business, she would be a great option. And check out both of my posts reviewing the different DIY lingerie kits, as well as everything I learned: The 8228 lingerie pattern & the 8711 lingerie pattern.

(One of my favorite DIY holiday gifts of all time: The sewing kit! The perfect gift for the girl (or guy!) in your life that has been wanting to learn how to sew, but doesn't know where to start. Learn how to build a sewing kit today with our complete, printable guide below.)

DIY holiday gifts: The Dany sewing project kit, coming soon!

If you guys have been following The Flora Modiste for the last few months, then you'll know that I have been working hard on getting out our own DIY sewing project kits for the Dany Sheath. I am trying so hard to get the kits out & ready to ship before Christmas, so stay tuned!

The DIY sewing project kits will include everything needed to sew up the project: The sewing pattern, fabric, thread, & instructions. Literally everything you need, in one kit.

But for now.. I hope that this post gives you some great ideas for a few DIY holiday gifts. And hopefully you will not only save some money this holiday season, but will also use up some of that spare fabric in your sewing boxes, promote some healthy habits, and support some fantastic, independent entrepreneurs!

Have questions on any of the ideas above? Please let me know below, would love to help!

(One of my favorite DIY holiday gifts of all time: The sewing kit! The perfect gift for the girl (or guy!) in your life that has been wanting to learn how to sew, but doesn't know where to start. Learn how to build a sewing kit today with our complete, printable guide below.)