Have Yourself a Crafty Christmas – 6 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas from the Main Shop of the Missouri Star Quilt Co. in Hamilton Missouri.
Christmas time at Missouri Star Quilt Co. Main Shop in Hamilton, Missouri.

Ready or not – Christmas is coming! The holidays are such a special time for crafters because it lets us share our creative gifts with friends, family and those in need. There is no better time of year to warm the hearts of your near and dear with a homemade gift (that just happens to show off your crafty abilities).

Shorter days and holiday activities can make it feel like there isn’t time to make handmade gifts (it’s already December!). While tackling a brand new quilt may be daunting, there are many festive projects that can be created quickly and bring cheer to those who receive them. And in a year like 2020, when social distancing means breaking time-honored traditions for the safety of our friends and loved ones, there is no better gift than something made from the heart and by your own hands.

Christmas Stocking

Quilted Christmas Stockings from the Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Create an awe-inspiring mantle display by gifting a Christmas Stocking that can be used for years to come!

What is more classic than a Christmas Stocking hung by the chimney with care? This holiday gift has an extra bonus – it’s already gift wrapped! Stitch up a quick and easy Quilted Christmas Stocking using 2.5 inch strips of precut fabric, and then fill them with all kinds of handy quilting notions, Missouri Star Gift Cards and sewing thread for a merry gift to the maker in your life! Even if sewing isn’t your recipient’s passion, that beautiful, handmade holiday stocking will become a part of their traditions every year.

For this quick and easy project, pick a festive fabric (we like Winter’s Grandeur 8 Holiday Metallic Roll Up by Liza Bea Studio for Robert Kaufman). These red, green and gold 2.5″ strips of quilting fabric sparkle with poinsettias, snowflakes, cardinals and plaid, adding charm to each square of your stocking. Cuff the top in a lovely plaid for a magical winter wonder.

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Shop Precut Fabric Here >

One Yard Apron

The One Yard Apron from the Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Misty relaxes in the kitchen in a cute red-checkered One Yard Apron.

A lot of the Christmas season takes place in the kitchen with holiday baking, festive family dinners and plenty of hot cocoa! The incredibly simple One Yard Apron is the perfect gift for the hostess in your life. It’s such a fast, easy project, you can use it to teach the kiddos in your life the joy of handmade gifts – with only one yard of your favorite fabric!

If you want to follow Misty’s lead, use Cozy Critters – Buffalo Check Red Yardage by M.J. Merrill for Wilmington Prints. This black and red plaid check fabric ties in well for the holidays, but is perfect for any home chef year round! If your stash needs to be reduced, just use ANY yard of fabric you have on hand!

Watch the Missouri Star LIVE Replay >

Shop Fabric by the Yard Here >

Mug Rug

Create a Mug Rug with the Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Basics can be beautiful, like this easy holiday Mug Rug.

This little Mug Rug is such an easy project, you’ll probably make a few for yourself along the way! Using a pack of 5″ squares of precut fabric, these cute table-savers keep your Christmas cocoa cozy. As a holiday bonus – this fast little gift is perfect for beginners!

When selecting your fabric, it’s not just about snowmen and snowflakes. Keep in mind the mug rug will serve as a protective layer for a hot drink, and also might soak up spilled drinks after enthusiastic cookie dunking! Avoid light fabrics that stain and try a thick flannel fabric such as a Woolies Flannel Holiday Warmth Charm Pack by Bonnie Sullivan for Maywood Studio. If you’re feeling ambitious, swap out the charm pack for a Layer Cake (10″ square of precut fabric) and create gorgeous table protectors for your holiday feast!

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Shop Precut Fabric Here >

Tree Skirt

Create a Christmas Tree Skirt with the Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Light up their Christmas with a quilted tree skirt they can use every year.

More so than all the other decorations, the Christmas tree is always the focal point of the holiday season – that’s where the presents go! Gifts get the perfect showcase when arranged on a quilted fabric Tree Skirt. This little quilt for your tree comes together simply with 5″ squares of precut quilting fabric.

The fabric is what makes this project shine! Of course you can design the exact skirt to suit your holiday style if you want to whip this up for yourself. If you’re making it for someone else, consider solids or batiks so it’s more likely to match their decorations. Season’s Splendor Batiks Stamps by Kathy Engle for Island Batik is a perfect combination of festive Christmas colors and classic motifs.

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Shop Precut Fabric Here >

Easy Zipper Pouch

The Easy Zipper Pouch from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
With festive new MSQC Fancy Zips, the Easy Zipper Pouch from Missouri Star Live is useful gift for anyone!

Give the gift of functionality this Christmas with the Easy Zipper Pouch, featuring the all new Missouri Star Fancy Zips! In this Missouri Star LIVE, Jenny and Misty teach us how to stitch up this extremely useful project that, with a little festive fabric from your stash, makes a thoughtful last minute gift idea. There are so many uses for this handy little bag. Add some vinyl to the interior for a cosmetics bag or add some batting for a notion holder!

You’ll need cut yardage no smaller than 14″ in length (the necessary length to add a Missouri Star Fancy Zip). For a festive holiday bag, select a beautiful cut of Christmas fabric by the yard. If you need a little extra help with this project, you can purchase a digital download of the Easy Zipper Pouch pattern so that you can start stitching immediately!

Watch the LIVE Replay >

Shop Fabric by the Yard Here>

Missouri Star Gift Card

The Missouri Star Gift Card and holiday gift card holder.
MSQC gift cards in festive gift card holders offer holiday cheer to your favorite maker!

If it’s the night before Christmas and you’re still having doubts, keep it simple and crafty and gift card it out! If there’s a quilter on your list who has it all, give them the gift of choice with a Missouri Star gift card! Available in both physical gift cards (definitely consider a holiday gift card holder for big MSQC fans!) and digital gift cards (that can be emailed same day), this last minute gift idea will save Christmas when your crafting time has run out.

Shop Missouri Star Gift Cards Here >

Sewing Projects for a Full Heart (and Bobbin)!

When someone is covered in a cozy, warm quilt, they are reminded that someone sat at a sewing machine for hours, carefully piecing and stitching, with them in mind. A handmade table runner sitting on the family dining table shows a loving home to all who feast there. To be gifted a wall hanging is a reminder that they are loved by its maker.

Valentine’s day is one of the best holidays to make for because it’s about love and we LOVE to make! Here are some sweet as pie project ideas:

Tender Hearts Quilt Project Tutorial

Tender Hearts

Image – Tender Hearts Wall Hanging by Christopher Thompson (Check out his blog for a Valentine Ombre Wall Hanging)

Pour your heart into a love-able quilt or mini wall-hanging. This sweet project will make your heart melt!

GET THE QUILT PATTERN >

WATCH TUTORIAL >

Zig Zag Placemats & Napkins Pattern

Zig Zag Placemats & Napkins

Make tea time the best time when you get stuck on these easy-to-sew table accessories!

GET THE PATTERN >

Love Notes Quilt Tutorial

Love Notes

Make their cheeks rosy, by turning our version of “You’ve Got Mail” into “Love Notes.”

GET THE PATTERN >

WATCH TUTORIAL >

Love is in the Air Quilt Project

Love is in the Air

Can you feel it in the air tonight? You will when you become love-struck by appliqué hearts!

GET THE PATTERN >

WATCH TUTORIAL >

You Make My Heart Happy Valentine's Day Panel

You Make My Heart Happy

“You make me happyyy when skies are greyyy. You’ll never knooww dearrr how much I love you…” is what you’ll be singing while putting together this adorable project!

GET THE PANEL >

Check out our selection of Valentine’s Day themed fabrics and get started! Whatever you make, make it with love.

Have you ever received a hand-made gift? Tell us about it in the comments!

Quick & Easy Quilt As You Go Gift Ideas

Quilt as you go” is a fun technique in which you piece and quilt all at once so by the time you are finished with your top, all you have to do is bind, and voila… your done! It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Quilt as you go gives you way to focus on each piece individually and not worry about the entirety of a project. These are perfect for the holidays when you may have to come up with quick gift ideas!

Watch Jenny in this tutorial as she shows you how to quilt as you go with any block! (And check out this throwback tutorial for even more helpful quilt as you go tips!)

Here are some great “Quilt As You Go” gift ideas:

  1. Start with preprinted batting
  2. Sew on the lines
  3. Enjoy your finished project!

Quilted totes make special gifts! Try this Sophie Tote or the super cute, Alexandria Tote! Use the featured Lemon Fresh collection or browse our
themed collections to personalize your gift! (Watch Misty make the Sophie Tote and see how quick it is!)


Coming up with the right gift for a family, friend, or workplace gift exchange can be frustrating. A homemade stocking is a good way to give something fun, from the heart, and it’s super quick and easy!

Don’t forget to fill it up with sweet goodies and everyone will be wishing for a Secret Santa like you!

Find their favorite prints and cut six – 1/2 yard pieces for this project! Don’t forget 1 yard of binding and 1 1/2 yards of backing!


Is their a baby in the family celebrating their first Christmas this year? Homemade baby bibs are a good way to celebrate and this batting kit makes it so easy!
You’ll also need
1/4 yard EACH of 5 fabrics
1/2 backing
1/2 binding

You’re sure to find the most adorable prints in our Kids & Baby section or use cutesy Christmas fabrics!


Do you use the Quilt As You Go technique?
Show us some of your quilt as you go projects below?