Having the machines serviced before the Christmas crush is vital to me.  I have a sad history of needing to finish 15 pairs of pajama pants the week before Christmas just as my machine throws a fit over what I have expected of it in the previous two weeks.

The sewing machines seem to know the worst possible time to quit working well, just at my most frustrated moment.

OK, the reality is that I am always under the gun.  I always have 32 things that need to be sewn by day after tomorrow.

But, I always want my machines to be working when and where I want them.

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In keeping with the theme of Christmas sewing, the next thing on my checklist is getting my machines serviced.

I have several sewing machines, but two are used regularly.  I have an embroidery machine that is used almost exclusively for embroidery.  I can do normal sewing on it and I do.

However the bulk of my sewing is done on a machine that goes forward and backward and that’s it.  I love my megaquilter.  It is a semi-industrial machine that is not fussy, fancy nor troublesome.

And as little care as it takes, like my embroidery machine, it needs to be cleaned, oiled and generally serviced.  I want the belts checked, the timing adjusted and everything in working order.

I want my workhorses in top condition before starting my Christmas Sewing marathon.

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There are so many resources to search through online to find Christmas gift ideas.

Although I explained that my first instinct is to go through Google images, it can be only a small first step.

All year long I am collecting ideas from everywhere.  Pinterest is becoming a terrific source of gift possibilities.  Whether you search for specific instructions or very general categories, there are tons of choices of projects to start.

I look through stores (both online and brick and mortar) to find ideas and inspiration.  JoAnn’s, Michaels, the local drug store, department store displays are all available for exploring options.

I also look through blogs.  There are so many talents individuals out there willing to share their passions, their talents and their instruction.

All in all, if I am unable to come up with inexpensive, fairly easy to make items that everyone on my list will like, I am really not looking very hard.

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If that immediate bolt of inspiration lightening has not stunned me, I have to go looking for ideas in other places.

My first go to place to look for ideas is Google images.  Somehow, just flipping through hundreds or thousands of pictures of things starts my ideas rolling.

Looking for Easter basket photos took me on a journey designing a year’s worth of quilted Faberge Eggs, jewels and all.

Halloween searches can deliver marvelous patterns, creations and plans.

But just searching for Christmas gifts, home made gifts, home made or any number of search phrases will result in images of others’ creativity that frees my imagination.

It is a quick, easy source of inspiration for me.  Sometimes I go through it just because I want a lift.

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Coming up with Christmas gift ideas is challenging.  There are several criteria for making the list of gift possibilities; price, attractiveness, how labor intensive, etc.

Because my list is long, I need to start the process early.  However, looking for the right idea is a never-ending situation.

I am looking all year long for that spark of inspiration that gives me that inner sense of satisfaction.  I am happy knowing what my plans are for the (eventually) coming holiday season.

This year, I found the idea of the embroidered Grandma Quotes.  I knew that they would not be something I could use for everyone.

I also knew that they would make perfect gifts for certain special people in my life.

It happens like that.  I am stressed that my imagination has taken a holiday.  Then, suddenly, it hits me in a flash.

Now if I can think of what to do for the other 57 people!

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Part of the methodology in determining Christmas gifts is the study of history.  What did I give to whom, last year and in the previous years?

I tend to do a lot of similar gifts in batches.  Some years everyone on the list gets the same thing.  In some years groups get the same gift but different groups get different things.

Last year was like that.  My husband’s family all received sweatshirts personally embroidered with one of a couple of logos representing the family cabin.  My family, on the other hand, all received personalized pillowcases.

This year will be a similar situation.  One side gets one thing, the other side something else.

The biggest trick will be scheduling so that everything gets finished.

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There is an old saying., “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should”.  I try hard to remember that when I am sewing Christmas gifts.

I sew what I think is interesting, useful, cool or something the recipient would want.  Mostly, I find things that strike my fancy.

Often, what I think is wonderful, others don’t.  I get that.  When my daughter was a teen she wanted things that were “rad!”  That usually meant thing that were hideous or unusual, or just plain rebellious.   I have some of that in me.

So, it is important that I consider what others want.  I ask folks.  I look to see what is popular,

Sometimes I get it wrong.  Sometimes my kids’ criticisms of the gifts are wrong.

But always, I am making a concerted effort to give my recipients Christmas gifts from the heart that they will love and use.

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Once you have a good pattern and the proper instruction, the quality of your product is all in your own hands.

Diligence is the key.  There is a fine line between “good enough”, shoddy workmanship and crazy making compulsion. You must decide where you fall on that continuum.

No one wants to receive a gift that is not well made.  The quality of the materials used and the diligence of the person making the gift are the important elements.

If your attitude is that you tried and that is all that should count, you probably aren’t making gifts that are well appreciated and anticipated.

If you are making yourself and everyone around you nuts because everything is not exactly perfect, you aren’t enjoying the process and you will never be able to be proud of your creations.

The key is balance.  Every line will never be exactly the way it is supposed to be.  Every item will have some flaws.  That is part of the charm of hand made gifts.  But, they have to measure up to an acceptable standard.  Hence the word – balance.

Have you found your balance?  Sometimes it is necessary to rip a seam or two and start over.  Sometimes it isn’t worth the extra time and effort.  Extremes in either direction are not beneficial.

Make sure good enough is really good enough from all perspectives.

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There can be quite a difference between store bought mass produced items and lovingly made from home gifts.

Those differences can range from much worse than imaginable to much, much better than you can buy.

A few considerations determine which side of the quality line your homemade gift falls on.  Firstly, having good solid design and instruction is essential.

There is plenty out there.  Both online and in quilt shops, designers and teachers make the seemingly impossible very doable.  It is really all about small, easy steps, that, when all put together result in spectacular creations.

Join the community at Online Quilting Classes to see lot of patterns and instruction for dazzling your family and friends.

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The second group of people who receive gifts that I have not made myself is that group who don’t want or don’t appreciate home made items.

There are many who compare a home made quilt to a quilt purchased at Target.  They have no idea the difference in price, material quality, nor workmanship.  If you can buy a quilt at a local retail outlet or online for $69.00, and they don’t know any better, why should they value the one I made for $150.00 and spend several weeks of my time putting together.

Then there are those who simply don’t value anything.

I am not requiring my recipients to love, cherish and display in an honored place any items I make for them.  I just don’t want to waste my time, effort and money on things they really don’t want or don’t understand.

It just works out better for everyone if I get them something they would rather have.

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