Last Minute Gift Ideas To Sew & Knit This Yuletide!
- Tara Deighton
- Dec 7, 2025
- 5 min read
Every year I tell myself, gift making needs to start on the 1st of November and every year I find myself in a panic on the 1st of December because not a single thing has been made!
So, I've put together some last minute ideas for DIY gifts that would be easy to sew or knit in a mere moment of time. Each of them takes few supplies which you probably already have and despite being quick to make, are still very thoughtful and adaptable for your gift worthy loved one.
One of the gifts I'll be putting together for my nearest and dearest is a lovely book wrapped up with a special bar of chocolate. If I can match the theme of the book and choccy bar to my giftworthy loved one, even better and then a handmade bookmark to go will be the icing on the xmas cake!
See here for my booklist if you want some ideas for good books!
Why not spread the love this Yule by gifting a Loveheart Cushion? My pdf pattern comes in 2 sizes and includes all the instructions for the cushion pad, and the cover with or without the ruffle! There's a step by step video tutorial here too if you want a little more guidance!
I've made Loveheart cushions for dear ones on special occasions and a patchwork love heart in their favourite colours would make a beautiful gift. You could personalise your cushion with their initials or make out of some beautiful vintage fabrics, then trim with the fabulous pom pom trim, which takes less time than the ruffle version. You could easily buy these in Liberty for rather a lot of pennies or you could spend an evening making one for the interior lover in your life!
Wouldn't a little set of fabric coasters be pretty and useful? Again, you can keep things super simple or depending on your time, make something a little more involved. Maybe a plain shape that focuses on pretty fabrics from your stash. Or, if time allows a little English paper pieced star or patchwork shape. I'm rather loving the cat ones above which I found on Pinterest. And using a vintage or antique fabric that is already embroidered would look very lovely and actually a doddle to sew up!
A beret is always a stylish option in anyone's winter wardrobe and the Marlene Beret is a stylish and simple project to sew.
Marlene only uses small amounts of fabric and looks amazing in textured wools or velvets. You could applique or embroidery designs on the crown if you have time or just add a pretty brooch for a special extra touch. My favourite version is one I machine embroidered with a cobweb and sewed on some antique pearl beads!
And if knitting is your thing {or your loved ones thing!} then my Vintage Tassle Beret is a really quick and easy vintage inspired knit.
If time is really an issue, a thoughtfully put together kit for the knitting loved one is such a lovely idea. I'm always so pleased when I'm gifted some lovely wool or fabric to make something.
A few years ago, I put together a really fun video for some stash busting Xmas gift ideas. I especially love the ruffle pouches and these always make really well received gifts for my friends over the holidays or for other special occasions. Watch the video below for all the tutorials I put together.
Mushrooms are really rather magic and my little festive textile mushrooms are a thoroughly enjoyable palette cleansing sew.
You can make them to adorn your gifts, your tree or yourself! Or stuff them with lavender to make fun little protectors for your precious clothes!
And speaking of lavender, I put together this simple and fun FREE tutorial for Lavender Humbugs which you can find here!
I saw this ever so sweet ear muff on the Damson Madder Website and immediately thought a knitted version would be so cute!
I found a free pattern for a vintage knitted coif on Pinterest which I've really enjoyed knitting and thought I could knit my Malmaison Rose Corsages in the same wool and could sew them on to get a similar effect.
The roses take hardly even a moment to knit and the coif took one episode of All Creatures Great & Small {My official knitting time gauge}. A really cost and time effective last minute DIY gift for your fashion savvy loved one!
Whilst looking for accessories I could sew, I happened upon this beautiful Gucci silk scarf, totally beyond my meagre pennies but not beyond some simple sewing skills!
How lovely would this be in leftover pieces of Liberty Prints or precious vintage silks?! Such a versatile make for a fashion loving friend! And I love the idea of embroidering onto a bandana ~ I know just the person who'd love that all wrapped up under the Christmas tree!
Whilst I remember ~ make sure to subscribe to my Newsletter. In next weeks issue, I'm sending out some Xmas Gift Wrap ideas!
Knitted scarves or neckerchiefs are really catching my eye and I actually downloaded the vintage style one above to try. If time is really against you, you could download the pattern and choose some gorgeous wool and present it as a kit for your loved one ~ those that love to knit of course!
Another quick knit {or kit!} is my incredibly easy Dita Pompadour! Dita is a real show stopper accessory full of vintage glamour and I LOVE the pom poms! So much fun to choose the wool and faux fur poms poms and you can find my favourite ones here!
And if you love Pom Poms as much as I do, then my FREE Minnie Beanie knitting pattern might just be your cup of festive tea! The beanie itself is a really simple knit and you can add a single pom for a traditional bobble hat look or 2 for a Minnie Mouse inspired hat. Really fun and really versatile.
Putting together these simple ideas for last minute gifts has been really inspiring. I was in a bit of a panic about time and pennies but all of these ideas are purse friendly and most importantly time friendly. I'm actually starting to feel really festive now!
I hope these ideas have also inspired you, especially if, like me, you've left your gift buying/making to the last minute!
Merry Yule one and all!
Tara x
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