I don’t remember what I received for Christmas last year or my birthday this year, which was only a few months ago. In fact, I don’t remember many of the gifts I have received over my lifetime. What I do remember clearly? Times that I have given something special to others. Why? Because it’s true that GIVING is BETTER than receiving!
While I do love to give, I find myself to be a selfish sewist. Really, I only like to make things for myself. (Please tell me some of you feel the same, so I don’t feel like a terrible person.) So, it turns out this “Giving Challenge” truly is a challenge for me.
I’ve decided to get my young son in on the challenge as well. He will be 6 later this month and has been asking me to show him how to use my sewing machine for a least a year now. I’m excited for us to do this fun thing together and to pass that ‘giving’ feeling along to him. I decided we would make dog toys for our local animal shelter, as it’s something easy to sew and I can use up some of my growing scrap pile. (Yay for a scrap buster!)
I found a free and easy printable pattern at The Spruce Crafts. They’ve got 2 options for small and large dog bones. I picked up some stuffing and ordered some squeakers and we got to work.
PATTERN:
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-dog-bone-pattern-2977708
SQUEAKERS:
So far, we’ve made a handful of the small size bones and have fabric cut to make some large ones as well. Obviously, it’s not a super quick process when you’re also trying to get a young one involved, but it’s been nice to spend the time together working on this. I look forward to visiting our local shelter later this month to drop off the dog toys.
So the moral of my story here is this: if you’re like me, and really only like to sew for yourself, get out of your comfort zone this month and make something for someone else. I promise you that when you #givesewmuch, it will give you a warm and fuzzy happy feeling that you won’t regret! And consider getting a loved one involved too, so you can share that feeling.
Anne is an architectural and design representative for a flooring distributor by day and a hobby sewist by night. She lives with her husband and two young sons in Central Texas. She enjoys a good ‘sewing challenge’ and you can check out some of her personal makes on Instagram (@a_galmor), along with some of her recent reads, kid pics, and other randomness.
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing this idea & pattern! Happy holidays!
[…] people who need special items to help them heal from life threatening illnesses, cozy blankets and toys for animals waiting for adoption, warm winter garments for charities that help people stay warm; blankets and stuffies for children […]