It’s that time of year again: the color red dominates all the aisles, chocolate becomes even more readily available than normal, and being extra cute just isn’t cute enough. That’s right, it’s Valentine’s Day, often celebrated through grand gestures and generous gifts to our loved ones and close relations. But what truly speaks more from the heart than the wallet? Homemade gifts are the clear winner here, and while “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”, home-sewn presents are a very close second and well-worth considering as you mull over your options this time around. To support you in that effort, here are 10 great gift ideas you can sew on your very own at home. Best of luck, we know you’ll really hit it out of the park this year!

1) T-Shirt Pillows

One of the cruelest imbalances in the world is how many cool t-shirts there are yet how few cool pillows exist. Solve that problem with a homemade t-shirt pillow! Turn a beloved (but too small/tattered) t-shirt or an excellent thrift store shirt into a pillow by cutting the front and rear of a shirt into squares, sewing the squares together, and filling with polyfill. It’s sure to be a unique and much-appreciated addition to the recipient’s collection!

2) Kitchen Apron

Aprons are easy to sew, and easy to find uses for too assuming your recipient loves to cook! While some like to make it V-Day themed, the sky’s the limit with your design (and frankly it’s probably better to go with a theme where they can wear it all year long without feeling out of season)!

3) Table Runner

Beautify their table with a unique table runner of your own creation! This is a great option for those who love switching up their dining room styling by the season, as there are so many different directions you can take this in.

4) Fabric Coaster

This is another easy one: two squares of fabric sewn together and your valentine will be able to enjoy their drink in style. This one is nice since (depending on your fabric choice) it will be machine-washable too!

5) Pot Holder

What better way to show you care than to make something that will protect your loved one from harm in the kitchen? Easy to make, utilitarian, and helps your valentine cook you something nice to eat: all signs point to “Yes” for this particular gift idea!

6) Fabric Card Holder

If your Valentine is REALLY popular, they might need a place to hold all their V-Day cards, so why not help them out in advance with a hangable fabric card holder? Possible sew-shapes include an oversized letter, mailbox, or even a postage stamp; so many options to choose from!

7) Earbud Holder

In modern times, earbuds and portable headphones tend to come in hard cases that don’t always fit easily into a pocket. That problem is easily remedied with a zippered fabric earbud holder/case. For music aficionados, this gift could potentially help them daily, and also has the fringe benefit of reminding them of you every day as well!

8) Fabric Cup Cozy

Hot drinks are one of life’s great pleasures. Whether your loved one’s favorite happens to be coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or anything else under the sun, they’ll be ready to take it with them if you make an elastic fabric cup cozy to insulate their hand from the heat. Sometimes making enjoyable things EASIER to enjoy is the best gift you can give, so definitely give this some consideration!

9) Quilt

While this is homemade and can be done at home, it is certainly the hardest item on this list to make. Quilts are truly a “labor of love” to create, though a well-crafted one can last a lifetime and become an essential (and well-loved) part of your valentine’s living room or bedroom. This will take some study and practice to prepare for, yet it can be one of the most memorable gifts a person might ever receive.

10) Chair Cushion

Everyone has that favorite older chair that is much beloved, even if it has become a bit uncomfortable to sit in over the years. Breathe fresh life into that seat with a new cushion! Depending on the backing you use for your cushion, it could even come into use for other seats (or the great outdoors), so don’t miss out on the chance to be a part of your amour’s life wherever it might take them!

One of the great unspoken truths about sewing is “squares are awesome and easy to both cut and sew”, which is why many of the above ideas are essentially squares prepared and finished in different ways. However, as you can see from the variety above, squares are not to be underestimated in their potential and versatility! Whether your project is comprised of a square, circle, heart, or even all of the above, we know you’ll do a great job impressing your loved one with your creativity and your gift of the most precious resource all of us have: time. Happy Valentine’s Day and we wish you and your special gentleman (or lady) all the best!