More Quick Gifts
from Sew News magazine!

Hot Pads
Time: 40 minutes
Make some retro hot pads. Purchase 100% cotton loops and a weaving frame at a local sewing, hobby or craft store and follow the included instructions.

Travel Neck Pillow
Time: 30 minutes
Enlarge the Neck Wrap pattern 250%. Cut two each from fleece and cotton muslin. Using a 2 mm straight stitch and a 1/4" seam, sew the muslin pieces together leaving a 3" opening at the outer back edge for turning. Restitch the seam for extra security. Fill the muslin bag with micro beads and securely stitch the opening closed. Sew the fleece sections together leaving a 9" opening at the outer back edge to insert the inner bag. Turn right side out and add the filled bag; slipstitch the opening closed.

Insulated Curling-Iron Holder
Time: 55 minutes
Don't wait for things to cool off, just insert your curling iron and go.

Cut two 5 1/2" x 11 1/2" rectangles each from insulated fabric (such as Insul-Bright), aluminized fabric and cotton fabric. Round off the corners on one rectangle short end by tracing around an old CD.

Pile the fabrics in two groups, layering in this order: cotton fabric (right side down), insulated fabric, aluminized fabric (right side up). Baste the edges together. Using extra-wide double-fold bias tape, bind the square end of each group without turning in the binding ends.With the aluminized fabric facing, place the groups together; zigzag the edge to baste. Bind the remaining edges. Add a snap, centering it 3/4" from the upper edge.

From the December 2005 issue of Sew News magazine.