When Inspiration Strikes

A little while ago, a colleague came to my office and asked if I had a needle and thread. She had a rip in her skirt that needed a quick repair. Of course, always prepared, I did have a small sewing kit in my desk and her wardrobe malfunction was an easy fix. That was when I had the idea I needed for a small holiday gift that I could make for my office mates. 

I had just finished with the matchbox folded pouch for the earings we made at Stamp and Sip the month before so that design was fresh in my mind. I thought a small repair kit would be practical, and with the right supplies, pretty too. So I picked up some sewing needles, safety pins and buttons at the store, and grabbed thread and paper from my stash. All told, I was able to make 20 gifts for about $8. 

I used a 2 3/4" X 2 1/2" peice of solid cardstock for the insert and made half of a hole punch three times on two sides for notches to hold the thread. Then I folded a 6" X 3" peice of DSP scored and folded at 2 1/2", 2 3/4", and 5 1/2". The most tedious part of the project was threading all of the needles. With my eyes not being what they used to be, I've learned to appreciate the needle threading tool more and more. 

Each kit got a pre-threaded length of black, white, and tan thread on a needle. I used glue dots to adhere the buttons to the insert, and stuck the pins right through the paper. I stapled the insert into the cover, folded the matchbook and adhered a holiday greeting with some pretty thread on the front.

This was a great project to assemble while catching up on your shows. I'm currently binging on the Gilmore girls, and Lorelei sews, so this little inspired project was pretty much meant to happen. Plus when my colleagues need a quick fix, they will have the tools and a bright cheerful reminder of me!