What shall I sew for my Dad for Christmas?

[rebpalma]

Hello! I started sewing about three months ago. I know how to use my sewing machine and how to draw patterns and transfer them to the fabric. I'm still learning to sew the pieces of fabric together, and I haven't learned to sew a lining yet, but I will in the next couple of weeks. I'm an eager student :-)

I have no idea what to give my loved ones for Christmas this year, especially my dad. He's well into his fifties, retired, doesn't smoke, is a non-materialistic, no-frills person (you know, the 'Just give me a smile as a Xmas present, my dear' type of person), loves reading and studying and doesn't really need anything because otherwise he would have bought it himself already.

So I thought, why not sew something for him? But it can't be anything that needs body measures, otherwise it wouldn't come as a surprise.

I know this is a challenging question, but if anyone comes up with anything, I'd be so grateful if you shared it with me.

Thank you in advance and have a nice day!

[Lisa]

I have no idea what to give my loved ones for Christmas this year, especially my dad. He's well into his fifties, retired, doesn't smoke, is a non-materialistic, no-frills person (you know, the 'Just give me a smile as a Xmas present, my dear' type of person), loves reading and studying and doesn't really need anything because otherwise he would have bought it himself already.

Since he loves reading and studying, why not make him a book cover that he can slide onto his books?  If he reads a lot of paperbacks, they are a relatively standard size (absent the newer taller ones), and only the thickness varies.  If you make it long enough to handle the thickest books, use a thin plastic or cardboard liner, (skip a section in the middle so that it will wrap around whatever size), he'll end up with a "lip" on the edges of smaller books, but since many hardback books have the pages set in from the cover it shouldn't seem too strange.

If he always buys his books, and makes notes, you might be able to add a pencil/pen loop or pocket.  

If he always reads in a particular chair, you could make a hanging holder to hold his book, any reading glasses, a pen, magnifying glass...whatever he uses.  

If there's a particular reference work that he always uses that's beginning to look a little ragged, you could make a cover for that...

Any of these would be things you would be able to design to his particular needs and tastes.

You'll get to design something just for your Dad!

HTH,

Lisa

eta: missing right paren

[Madrona]

Your dad sounds a lot like my dad -- hard to buy for.  I'm making my dad some car seat organizers.  instructions on how to make them here: 
http://www.themayfly.com/weblog/2007/10/the_car_organizer_howto.html

Good luck!  Let us know what you end up making.   

[LizGo]

My DH - late 40's, so same age group basically, loves lounge pants to wear around the house. You could just guess at the size as fit is not a big issue (drawstring waist); ditto for bathrobe.  Flannel is super easy to sew.  Most dads would love anything their DD's made for them.

[rebpalma]

First of all, thank you all for your replies! You're so generous for helping me and your ideas are awesome! Please keep them coming! I'm sure that many more Wondering Daughters will find this thread useful.

@ Lisa: I love the idea of sewing things for his books. I can picture beautiful pieces of fabric in Christmas colours: red, green, brown... The only thing is that so far I haven't been able to find a pattern for these. If I find one, I'll post it here. (I know it must be veeeery easy to build a pattern from scratch, but as a beginner I'm a bit lost; mi companion book is 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sewing', go figure)

@ Madrona: that's perfect for a down-to-earth person! And I guess that for seats with non-removable headrests you can secure the top part with a couple of Velcro stripes. I don't know if I'll be sewing this because my dad's car has pockets behind the seats already, but it's a very creative idea indeed.

@ LizGo: a pair of lounge pants sound very good to me! I love flannel. I might even buy more fabric than I need for the pants as an excuse to sew something for myself with the remaining fabric. I'm already looking for a pattern (for the pants, he he). I could sneak into my parents' when my dad is not there to grab a pair of his pants and guess his measures from them. When I find the pattern, I'll post it here. Meanwhile, if any of you happen to have a pattern for men's lounge pants at hand, please share them with me! Thank you so much!

I'm so grateful to you, you're being so helpful! Please keep sending your ideas, you're going to make many people smile when they open their presents this year (provided my gifts look like anything recognizable after being sewed).

Best wishes!

[rebpalma]

Hello again!
Regarding the pattern for the lounge pants: I've found this http://sew-funky.blogspot.com/2008/05/tutorial-make-pajamalounge-pants.html
But I fear that I might thread in an elastic band that is too short. I think I should use a string instead.
Are there any improvements that you mould make to the design suggested by this tutorial?

Thank you very much in advance for your suggestions!

[BeeBee]

My favorite waist treatment is a cross between the drawstring and elastic.  Put about a 4 inch piece of elastic in the center back of the drawstring (cut the string and put the elastic in there).  It allows you to size it right and still be comfortable.

[rebpalma]

Thank you, BeeBee! But how would you attach the string to the elastic band? Would you sew it by hand?

[sewsanna]

Coming in a little late with this, but if your Dad likes to cook or grill, you can find men-friendly apron patterns very easily. I am finishing up a chef-style apron for a son who is an excellent cook. It is obviously sized for a guy. Sewing this is very straightforward.

The barbeque aprons are usually shorter. Patterns for these abound.

If you go with lounge pants, you could consider a matching robe. Those are also very straighforward sewing.

Happy sewing.

[rebpalma]

Yes, he likes both cooking and grilling 
I hadn't realized that every apron at my parents' has frills  so it's a good idea

What do you think about making the lounge pants (and optional robe) in fleece fabric instead of flannel? I mean, I don't know how thick flannel can be, but mornings in that house can get chilly despite the heating, and I wonder if covering my dad's legs with just a layer of flannel will be enough.

[BeeBee]

Thank you, BeeBee! But how would you attach the string to the elastic band? Would you sew it by hand?

I don't, I just use a zig-zag stitch back and forth a few times if it's wide enough or use my cording foot to sew on the cord.  Make sure you have some sturdy elastic for men's wear.

[Lisa]

@ Lisa: I love the idea of sewing things for his books. I can picture beautiful pieces of fabric in Christmas colours: red, green, brown... The only thing is that so far I haven't been able to find a pattern for these. If I find one, I'll post it here. (I know it must be veeeery easy to build a pattern from scratch, but as a beginner I'm a bit lost; mi companion book is 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sewing', go figure)

You don't really need a pattern...you'll make your own!   This is essentially a rectangle hemmed on all four sides (why I thought it would be good for a beginner).  You can miter the corners when you hem the edges.  (If directions for a technique [like mitered corners] are not in your book, you might want to check the Vintage Sewing Info site. When I ran a search there, I found lots of versions of mitering directions.  Here's one of them--look at the directions for "Mitered Corners--Bias Mitering."  Note that illustrations on this site will enlarge if you click on them.  If those directions aren't clear to you, search for another set of directions there.

At any rate, you'll fold the ends (of the hemmed rectangle) in to form flaps (into which the book's covers will be tucked).  You'll hand tack the flaps at the top & bottom so that they will hold the cover (and stay folded over into flaps).   That's pretty much it. 

To figure out how big to make your rectangle, take a sheet of newspaper, or a cut up paper grocery bag and fold it around a book.  Here are directions for how to fold a paper book cover.  You'll basically be doing the same thing with fabric.  You can use the paper cover that you folded as your pattern.  Be sure to add to the size of your folded rectange for hem allowances. 

Be sure to make your folded pattern using a thick paperback.  Then try the paper cover on a thin one.  You'll discover that the flaps will extend out from the edges of the thinner book.  That's ok, but you may want to add a thin cardboard or plastic in the flaps of the fabric cover to support the fabric on the edges (depending on the fabric, the plastic/cardboard may also make it easier to slip the book into your cover.  If you decide to have the cover extend (hem-width) above and below the book, then you'll need to adjust the size of your rectangle appropriately.  That's pretty much it. 

You get to make the decisions!  

Have fun!

Lisa

[judith]

BeeBee, I make lounge pants for my son and dil all the time, and I'm always guessing at how much elastic to use in the waist (they live far away). Your suggestion of elastic with drawstring is just perfect - it was a "wow" moment for me, so I wanted to thank you.

I learn so much here at SG, and am so very grateful to the people who start topics because, while reading those topics, I find answers to questions I didn't even know I had!!

[sewsanna]

Anyone would love a fleece robe! So comfy. I don't know what to guess about the lounge pants. I made some for myself in flannel, and I find flannel perfect for cool nights. But I sleep in mine, and I don't know if I would want to sleep in fleece pants. If the pants are made out of flannel, they can be worn for 7 months or so of the year. Fleece probably not so. On the other hand, maybe they would be wonderful in a cold house.

So, a lot depends on the circumstances.

Have fun deciding!

[tumblina]

I do BeeBee's trick of drawstring+elastic all the time. In fact, just added it to a pair of kameez I have so I don't have to continually untie and retie them for every trip to the bathroom . Since the drawstring was already there, I snipped it in two, put a 6" piece of elastic between the halves, and zig zagged each piece to the elastic. 20 seconds!

I think flannel is going to be just fine. In a cold house, good slippers, and a thick robe or sweater is usually what's needed - as long as it isn't draughty, flannel bottoms are usually ok. And I've lived in some pretty cold houses .

The book covers and apron are great ideas too - you can save some for his birthday!

Oh, I just remembered a short cut I do for drawstrings and other straps: I fold the outsides in to meet in the middle, then fold in half (so it encases the raw edges), and iron it. At the ends, I temporarily unfold it and tuck the end raw edge in, refold and press. Then I sew near the edge all the way down. Usually they tell you to sew the seam, then turn it right side out - I'm essentially making it right side out, then sewing it. Because without those turner tools, turning straps and drawstrings right side out is a @#$@# pain in the backside.

[Katherine]

I think fleece robes are wonderful.  I'm sitting here in mine right now.  It's much warmer than flannel.  It's also easy to sew because it doesn't ravel.

It might be easier to find nice flannel though.  The fleece from JoAnn or Hancocks doesn't last very well. 

[sewsanna]

Another thought on flannel. I found great quilting flannel for my lounge pants, and I think it is good quality. However the person who cut the flannel for me at the shop (which sells mostly quilt fabrics-it was not a Joanne's) told me to wash it twice before sewing. I did that. I do think I had a bit more shrinkage after I washed the fabric made up into the garment. I would wash twice and use a slightly longer inseam if I did it again.

There is nothing more comfortable than these flannel lounge pants. I really enjoy wearing mine.