Make It Handmade – 6 Handmade Holiday Projects

Make this season a Handmade Holiday with Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Make this season a Handmade Holiday with Missouri Star Quilt Co.

No gift is more meaningful than a handmade creation from the heart. When we take the time to create for those near and dear to us, we sew little bits of love into the fabric with every stitch and create a gift that will last a lifetime. July is the perfect time to start stitching up your Handmade Holiday gifts!

If you’re needing a little inspiration for this holiday season (maybe you haven’t even started to think about gifts yet!), check out a few of our favorite Handmade Holiday projects and create something this year for those closest to you (or for yourself)!

Advent Calendar Kits

The Comfort and Joy Advent Calendar Kit by Osie Liebowitz for Timeless Treasures.
The Comfort and Joy Advent Calendar Kit by Osie Liebowitz for Timeless Treasures.

Kits are a quilter’s best gift-giving friend! They not only come together quickly and easily, but they look just fantastic when complete (Plus you get everything you need in one handy kit). Make it Classic this holiday season with a traditional holiday advent calendar to countdown the days until Christmas begins – this gift will be at the center of your holiday decorations throughout the entire month of December.

Whether you enjoy the traditional holiday elements of the Comfort and Joy Advent Calendar Kit or the classic Dr. Seuss Grinchmas Tree Countdown Kit, this project is not only something you can share as a gift, but as a craft activity with beginning makers. These advent kits are a great place to give the gift of sewing to the little ones in your life.

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Inspire Yourself to Make It Classic >

Winter Star Quilt

The Winter Star Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
The Winter Star Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

Imagine giving the gift of warmth and comfort – it’s all possible with the Winter Star quilt! Nothing is better than a handmade quilt, so give a gift that will quite literally wrap your loved ones in warmth this Handmade Holiday by stitching up this cozy creation that captures the beautiful ambiance of the winter season.

Make it Cozy by selecting a layer cake that best captures the holiday spirit such as Farmhouse Christmas 10″ Stackers by Echo Park for Riley Blake. These red, green, white and black 10″ squares of poinsettias, snowflakes, pine trees and more will have you dreaming of a cozy farmhouse Christmas!

Watch the Free Quilt Tutorial >

Inspire Yourself to Make it Cozy >

Casserole Caddy

The Casserole Carrier from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
The Casserole Carrier from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

Whether you’re arriving to your company’s holiday party or dinner with your family, deliver your hot dish with a flair of elegance with a handmade Casserole Caddy. This easy to create and even easier to use carrier not only helps insulate your casserole and keeps it warm, but also adds a sense of wonder and holiday spirit to wherever it goes!

Make it Elegant with enchanting fabrics featuring traditional red and green with touches of gold as well as wintry white and blue with silver accents. We suggest picking up a selection of yardage from the Holiday Flourish collection by Studio RK for Robert Kaufman – these festive fabrics will add a touch of beauty and elegance to your project!

Watch the Free Tutorial >

Inspire Yourself to Make it Elegant >

Quilt As You Go Holiday Hexis Advent Calendar

The Quilt As You Go Holiday Hexis Advent Calendar from BLOCK Volume 7 Issue 4.
The Quilt As You Go Holiday Hexis Advent Calendar from BLOCK Volume 7 Issue 4.

We just love Quilt As You Go projects! These fun and festive holiday hexis come together in a flash no matter where you’re making – seriously, these are PERFECT travel projects. Take your hexis and add a little background fabric and a pocket and you’re on your way to having a beautiful piece of holiday decor that will deck your halls with fun.

Make it Magical with a selection of wintry fabrics in cool blue and white tones that add to the magic of this project. Select your charm packs with magic in mind or consider cutting your own 5″ squares from a Fat Quarter Bundle such as Nose to Nose Fat Quarter Crystals by Susan Winget for Wilmington Prints. You’ll find happy snowmen, colorful Christmas lights, lovely plaid prints and woodland animals in this adorable collection!

Purchase the Pattern >

Inspire Yourself to Make it Magical >

Fabric Ornament Kit

The Warm Hands Ornaments Kit by Rachel Pellman for Rachel's of Greenfield.
The Warm Hands Ornaments Kit by Rachel Pellman for Rachel’s of Greenfield.

Why settle for the same old Christmas ornaments this year when you can add a modern maker’s flair to your holiday tree with an easy Fabric Ornaments Kit? Not only will your tree stand out as a unique and creative addition to your Handmade Holiday, but this adorable applique ornaments will become a keepsake for years to come!

Make it Modern by picking up a complete project kit such as The Warm Hands Ornaments Kit or the Merry Mugs Ornament Kit. Whatever your preference, these cute little ornaments are SEW simple to create that you can safely share this project with anyone – or stitch up a few to share amongst your friends and add a bit of homemade to their holidays.

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Inspire Yourself to Make it Modern >

English Paper Piecing Made Modern Stickers (Pot Holder)

The English Paper Piecing Made Modern Stickers Pot Holder from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
The English Paper Piecing Made Modern Stickers Pot Holder from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

Baking and the holidays go hand in hand – nothing is better than the sweet smell of warm baked goods lingering through your holiday home. If you’re looking to try your hand at English Paper Piecing then this project is the one for you! This simple pot holder will not only give you an introduction to the art of English Paper Piecing, but create an adorable kitchen accessory to better bake your holiday goodies.

Make it Sweet with a handpicked selection of delectable fabrics featuring all your favorite Christmas treats! First and foremost, you’ll need some EPP Made Modern Stickers and a charm pack such as the Merry and Bright Charm Pack by Me & My Sister Designs for Moda Fabrics. This collection features Christmassy colors, jolly snowmen and delicious candy canes that will leave your mouth watering!

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Inspire Yourself to Make it Sweet >

Triple Play! Wedge & Wing Quilt Tutorial

Join Jenny, Misty in Natalie in an all new Triple Play! Featuring 3 unique designs (and 3 bonus designs) using the new MSQC Wing Template.
Join Jenny, Misty in Natalie in an all new Triple Play! Featuring 3 unique designs (and 3 bonus designs) using the new MSQC Wing Template.

Hold onto your Santa hat, folks!

We’re celebrating Christmas in July with 3 festive quilts + 3 bonus projects made with our brand new Wing Template!

Christmas Tree Farm

The Christmas Tree Farm quilt from the Missouri Star Quilt Co Triple Play featuring the all new Wing Template.

Of course, these pretty new layer cake patterns would shine in any season, but we’ve added a sprinkling of Christmas magic with holiday fabric and machine quilting stitch patterns featuring snowflakes, jingle bells, and Christmas lights!

Layered Diamonds

The Layered Diamond quilt from the Missouri Star Quilt Co Triple Play featuring the all new Wing Template.

Best of all, each of these quilts has a mini, charm pack option. (Spoiler alert: Misty makes TWO table runners with just one charm pack!)

Just Wing It

The Just Wing It quilt from the Missouri Star Quilt Co Triple Play featuring the all new Wing Template.

Click HERE to watch this holly jolly Triple Play tutorial with Jenny Doan and the gals!

Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!

Signature Quilt

Signature Quilt by Jenny Doan of the Missouri Star Quilt Company.

Signature quilts – or friendship quilts – first became popular in the 1840s. Sometimes they were used as sentimental wedding gifts. Sometimes they honored a beloved teacher or minister. And sometimes, they were carried across the plains by pioneer women as a reminder of dear friends left behind. 

These quilts were so cherished, many have survived the generations and can be found in hope chests and museums even today.

Signature Quilt by Jenny Doan of the Missouri Star Quilt Company.

This week, Jenny is making her own family signature quilt. It’s adorned with hand-written names of all the Doan kids and grandkids, and I have a feeling this pretty quilt will become more and more special as the years go by! 

Click HERE to watch the tutorial! 

Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!

Handmade Holiday | Easy Gift Ideas

Nothing says holidays like handmade. Instead of spending all of your time this year trying to figure out what to buy for that special someone in your life, harness all of that creative energy into a unique crafty gift! Handcrafted gifts come from the heart, each stitch placed carefully with love.

Remember that when it comes to handmade gifts, Jenny always says “finished is better than perfect.” Wrap up any fears you have about creating a homemade gift and show off your craftsmanship with an easy gift idea that will be adored this holiday season! Get your holiday inspiration started by checking out some of these easy gift ideas below, or head over to our Handmade Holidays homepage for all of our great holiday fabric lines, ideas and project

Fabric Checkerboard

Give Love with the Fabric Checkerboard from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

It’s never too early to share your love of quilting with the children in your life. Playing a game of checkers on top of a festive Fabric Checkerboard is not only fun, it’s a fantastic holiday memory just waiting to be created. Add in a few Christmas decorations as checker pieces and you’ll be celebrating the holidays in no time!

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Quilted Christmas Stocking

Give Love with a Quilted Christmas Stocking from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Hang up this cute stocking with care! Whether or not you have a chimney, a Quilted Christmas Stocking is the perfect gift this year. Fill this fabulous piece of home decor with a few notions, some thread, and a charm pack and you’ll be the sewing Santa this holiday season! If you’re gift giving for someone who doesn’t sew, this versatile project will deliver any gift in style!

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Browse Christmas Yardage >

Blipper

Give Love with the Blipper from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Home is where we are most comfortable, where we can relax and unwind from the day and find our own peace on earth. Give the gift of comfort while home for the holidays with the Blipper! A Blipper is a quilt with a pocket for your feet—part-blanket, part-slipper, entirely adorable and cozy! For a little added Christmas cheer, select a fuzzy cuddle fabric or some Christmas themed yardage and make this gift extra special!

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Download the Free Pattern >

Mug Rug

Give Love with a Mug Rug from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Keep your Christmas cocoa cozy with a nice new mug rug! This simple to make, great stash-busting project is the perfect stocking stuffer for office parties, Secret Santa, or White Elephant gift exchanges! Even if you don’t have extra scrap fabric on hand, pick up your favorite pack of 5” squares and get stitching!

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Get a Missouri Star Wacky Web Template >

Home For Christmas Pillows

Give Love with the Home for Christmas Pillow Pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Simple and versatile, the Home for Christmas Pillows pattern comes together with ease by using your favorite 10” squares of precut fabric to create a terrific piece of holiday home decor! Imagine the excitement of unwrapping one of these fabulous Christmas pillows and a newly-made quilt, it’s everything you need to enjoy a cozy holiday at home!

Pick up the Home for Christmas Pillows Pattern >

Browse 10″ Squares of Precut Fabric >

Memory Quilt

Give Love with the Memory Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

From ties to old t-shirts, found fabric is a fabulous addition to a homemade gift! This quilt will help keep the memories of the past alive and can be an incredibly sentimental present that is perfect for giving the gift of love for the holidays. There’s no limit to your creativity with this project as every family is different, but this gift will certainly be a treasured memory for years to come.

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Get the Sewing Supplies >

Reusable Gift Bag

Give Love with a Reusable Gift Bag from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Sometimes the wrapping is half the fun, but many of us could do without! Fill this Reusable Gift Bag with any holiday creation this year and you’ve got a wonderful 2-in-1 gift! This reusable gift bag is a quick and easy way to add your creative flair to a store bought gift while giving the gift of a fabulous bag that can be used for years to come.

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Download the Free Printable Pattern >

Vinyl Zipper Pouch

Give Love with a Vinyl Zipper Pouch from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Give the gift of quilting with this handy homemade vinyl zipper pouch! Fill this wonderful project with a pattern and a fat quarter for an incredible present for the quilter in your life. This bag comes together in a flash with a Zippity-Do Done! zipper that’s so easy to place we promise you can do it!

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Get the Zippity-Do Done! Zipper >

When we make with our hands, we give with our hearts. Explore what it means to create a Handmade Holiday and discover all you need to feel inspired this holiday season!


Watch this Fast & Fabulous Projects for Easy Presents playlist for more fun ideas!


Tell us, what handmade gifts are you giving this holiday season?

Making Waves Table Runner

The Making Waves Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial now!

You probably know John Adams as a Founding Father of the United States. But did you know he was also a fantastic party planner? It’s true! (Well, kinda…)

The Making Waves Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial now!

When independence was officially declared, John Adams wrote: “[This day] will be the most memorable in the history of America. It ought to be [celebrated] with pomp and parade, games, sports, and [fireworks] forever more.” His 4th of July plans were so much fun, we’ve celebrated John Adams-style for 245 years! 

But there’s just one thing Mr. Adams forgot: Quilts! Every good holiday needs quilts!

The Making Waves Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial now!

This week, Jenny is working on a festive quilt-as-you-go table runner in patriotic shades of red, white, and blue. And the best part? One charm pack makes TWO table runners!

Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!