Kristen: 9 Homemade Civil War Christmas Gift Ideas

Perhaps the most fulfilling time of year approaches: Christmas. Nothing fills me with more joy than battling through crowds on black Friday and wrestling an old lady for a necessary Tickle-Me-Elmo. Please note the sarcastic tone I've taken thus far...

I've decided to come up with a list of gift ideas, just little things with the Civil War reenactor in mind. All of these have been featured with tutorials on my blog, so if you're new or want pictures, I've made it easy! So far, here's a list to get you started:

1. Travel bags: I have a post here that shows how to make these. It could be an afternoon project!

Cost: These can be made with leftover materials, or you could go all out! $0-$100

Time: I tend to take breaks while sewing. If you make this simple with less embellishment and use a sewing machine, this could be a 2-6 hour project.

Skill Level: Sewing intermediate. Need to know basic stitch and buttonhole.

2. Thread Waxer: It's an acorn, how can you not love it! I can show you how to make that here.

Cost: Beeswax ($10), play-dough ($1), string/soutache ($1), bead cap ($1-$3). Total about $15-$20, making dozens of them.

Time: At least 2 hours, plus wax melting time.

Skill Level: Not setting yourself on fire, patience.

3. Handkerchief: Really easy, an awesome gift for men and women, tutorial found here.

Cost: About $9 a yard here, with that making at least 3-4 hankies. Thread from stash.

Time: 2-3 hours each, depending on skill level.

Skill Level: Sewing Intermediate, hidden stitch.
****Special Note! Make your hems much smaller than I did!

4. Hair Flower: I've tried the basic gimping technique multiple times here, here, and here. A very unique gift, especially when placed inside of a necklace. If you can make one, it will be a very unique and thoughtful gift, especially for a loved one! 

Cost: $0-$15, depending on the jewelry/frame you put it in

Time: Practice makes perfect! Anywhere from 4-8 hours. 

Skill Level: Wrapping hair around a stick. Seems easy, incredibly frustrating!

5. Housewife: I have a housewife tutorial, right here. Can be good for both men and women!

Cost: $0-20. Honestly, this cost me about $5 for scraps and all the twill tape.

Time: 2-3 hours, with generous eating time allotted.

Skill Level: Sewing Intermediate, basic and invisible stitch. 

6. Spectacle Case: Can be for males or females! Check it out here.

Cost: Leftover supplies, 1/2 yard fabric and cotton soutache. Total $3-10 with leftover supplies.

Time: 3-4 hours

Skill Level: Sewing Intermediate, whip stitch and tacking down soutache.

7. Basic "hiding" bags: A gift any reenactor will love! See it done here.

Cost: Probably free from stash-leftover fabric, any thread.

Time: 10 minutes or less. I've got it down to 3.

Skill Level: Sewing basic, or machine perfection!

8. Cooler cover: One of the best presents I ever made myself! If you need a different thing covered, just make sure to get the right measurements!

Cost: About $10 for fabric, more if using actually treated stuff.

Time: An hour or two with the sewing machine, more if by hand.

Skill Level: Sewing basic, emphasis on measuring skill!

9. Beaded Butterfly: Are you in the mood for butterflies? These things make the perfect little additions to bonnets or hair pieces. Documentation was used to support nature's colorful friends.

Cost: $5-10, beads and wire.

Time: 15-30 minutes

Skill Level: A good set of eyes and finger dexterity

Happy gift-making everyone! And if you don't feel like making anything, you can always check out my etsy shop, The Victorian Needle.

~Kristen

Kristen: Civil War Housewife Research and Tutorial

Hello again dear reader!

In the midst of baby shower planning, I have found time to give you a brief tutorial on these little Civil War housewives, as well as a bit of research. Would these not make the perfect Christmas/Birthday gift? I won't include the descriptions, but I will say they are usually made with leftover scrap fabrics...

Godey's 1864

Godey's 1862

I also know that Ann Worden Bauersmith has an entire book dedicated to such delicious endeavors, and that can be found here. I would strongly suggest buying it; I will hopefully receive it for Christmas!

In the meantime if you want to make a quick needlebook, here's my little tutorial. There are other how-to's on the web, I know! I'm of the mind that if it only takes one picture/instruction to help one person, then this was useful!

1. Cut out 2 long pieces rounded on one end. I used 2 contrasting fabrics.

 2. Cut two little squares for pockets. I also cut rounded white fabric to store needles.

 3. Hem those little squares to finish the edges. I used a hidden stitch.

 4. Tack those down to the inside fabric, sewing the bottom of the pocket. Add that needle fabric at the top (simple stitch). At this point you can also add some sort of layer between the outside/inside, but it's not necessary.

 5. Next, bind the edges with either self fabric or be lazy like me and buy cotton twill tape. I promise not to judge you either way...

 6. The inside should look like this, unless you did something wrong. Feel good about yourself if you did it right.

 7. Add a little of that tape to the outside to make a tie. Voila! Finished!

The whole process only takes a few hours or less! I will have this one available in my etsy shop in a few days, so if you are intimidated by the tutorial but still want one, you can have it!

I feel another sewing project coming on...

~Kristen