Quilted Christmas gift ideas for uncles

[Paula D.]

I've just started quilting, and I'm making all my Christmas gifts this year (some quilting, some applique, some sewing). I've got great ideas for everyone except my uncles! Do you have any suggestions of things I can make for these men? (All of them are in their mid-50s to early 60s.)

Uncle Bobby: travels all over for his work with FEMA (usually for weeks at a time), enjoys watching Nascar and football when he's home, and likes cars.

Uncle Rob: likes tending his roses, grilling outside, playing with the family dogs, and enjoying his recently remodeled home.

Uncle Fats: professional musician (fiddle, guitar, banjo, etc.--basically anything with strings), chef-level cook, has an antique toy collection, plays chess, and is an insatiable reader.

What would you make for my uncles if you were a beginning quilter like me?

[Paula D.]

Maybe for the musician you could make a padded sleeve for his guitar strap. Kind of like the ones people make for their seat belts. You could applique or embroider his name or something personal to him on it.

[Charae H.]

Margaret-- I find some terrific ideas under the Projects section. Check out the "Journal Cover" on page 5. If you select a novelty print specifically suited for each uncle, I bet they'll love it. They look great and are very easy to make. Have fun!

[Charae H.]

Passport covers, personalized aprons, potholders and placemats.

[Rita C.]

Not sure about Uncle Bobby - maybe a cushion for him to rest his head against when he returns home. For Uncle Rob I would make a small satchel - open-topped with a long handle for hanging that he can pop his secateurs in and out of easily after pruning the roses, possibly with the name on the front. As for Uncle Fats, anyone who plays the banjo or guitar needs somewhere to put plectrums and capos and if he's like me he is always losing them. So a small purse about 4" square or rectangle is enough to put these essential items into. If you make it bright but 'manly' colours then they will be able to find it easily in their bag of other musical gadgets.

Good luck,
Rita.

[Rita C.]

I've got a few tutorials that might be helpful:

Use themed fabrics to make potholders: Large: http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_...potholder.html, Small: http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_...otholders.html

Pillowcases from themed fabrics: http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_...llowcases.html

iPhone or Droid case: http://3creativestudios.com/freeprojects/droid.pdf

Vicki Welsh
http://vickiwelsh.com

[Rita C.]

Thanks for all these great ideas, folks! I'll let you know what I end up making.

[Hannelore N.]

Uncle Bobby: A cover for a small journal or notebook that he can take on his travels using car and/or football fabric.

Uncle Rob: An apron using bright and summery fabrics so that he'll be the best-dressed cooked at the next grill party.

Uncle Fats: A bookmark made from musical themed fabric.

I'm envious that you have those three uncles. They all sound wonderful. I don't have any uncles.

[Hannelore N.]

the thing I made that really goes over big with the guys is the Quillow. I gave my brother one years and years ago and he still talks about it.

[Hannelore N.]

How about a denim backed rollup quilt to keep in the trunk of the car for tailgating, picnicing, and emergencies?

Check out Elizabeth Hartman's here--> http://www.flickr.com/photos/ohfransson/4751485320/

[Hannelore N.]

One year I made pillow cases for everyone and the guys were thrilled that they had a "designer" pillowcase made just for them.

[Hannelore N.]

The quillow and the denim-backed quilts are GREAT ideas. Uncle Bobby is getting a quillow for sure.

Thanks for all your help!