I had a couple of evenings this week when I couldn’t crack on with my quilting as I was waiting to buy some batting, I didn’t really want to start another big project, so I decided to make some Christmas cracker fillers.
I only learnt a couple of months ago that Christmas crackers are very much a British tradition, so for those of you not yet acquainted with pulling crackers… a cracker is a cardboard tube decorated with paper gathered in at each end, a bit like a sweet paper. Inside the tube is a little gift (usually laughably tacky in bought ones!) a silly joke, and a paper hat. You pull them apart with a friend, when it snaps there is a cracking sound. We usually have crackers on Christmas Day, opening them at the table.
They are fairly easy to make, then you can put what you like inside! I’ve got 14 to make so I have been saving kitchen rolls since the summer to make the inside tube! Any gift has to fit inside the tube, so it has to be small…
I saw the Teeny Tiny Zipper Pouch on facebook first, it’s by Deby Coles from So Sew Easy, the pattern is available on Craftsy. I think it’s a free one, but don’t quote me on that one! It’s a great little pattern, very clear instructions with a video too if you need it.
Error 1; Boxed corners wrong way 😦
I was amazed how quick they were to make, including choosing and cutting fabrics and sewing, together with unpicking the occasional mistake (Who Me!!) I could easily make one in about 40 minutes!
The main fabric pieces are only 3.5 x 5″ so they were made from my scrap drawers, I bought loads of zips last time I was at Denman college with the WI as they were selling them for about 20 pence each! They were ideal for this.
I found the quilting clips I bought recently very useful for this, around the zips there will be around 10 layers of fabric so it wouldn’t be easy to pin, but the clips worked brilliantly.
I’ve made five so far, another two to go so all the ladies have one, they just fit inside the tube, any extras like chocolates will have to go inside the purse! I’m still not sure what to make the menfolk, they may have to settle for something bought (but not tacky!!)
Linking up with Sew Can She for Show Off Saturday, why not have a look what everyone has been creating.
thecraftycreek 
These are great. The thought of 10 layers of fabric in a piece that small, too, is scary to me. I’m struggling to sew a bag (my first) I’m strugglng because of the number of layers there are. Come to think of it, if you add them up and include interfacing, there are 12 plus more at points where I need to cross seams and it’s canvas so perhaps it’s no wonder. I hadn’t actually counted them. Good luck with sitting out the men too!
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Thanks Anne, It’s surprising just how many layers we expect our machines to cope with making bags of any size!
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I love these, the colours of the fabric you have chosen are so pretty, but I especially like the fabric in your last picture! Oh, I just know I’m going to be tempted by these babies! I’ll be off to search out the instructions next – although I’m already trying to make too many things!
You were lucky getting zips for 20p! I thought I had done well when I found some for 50p in a charity shop. Good luck thinking of something for the men-folk! Let us know if you have a good idea!
Better go, things to sew! Have a great day!
Hugs. Barbara xx
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Thanks Barbara, I think they’re really cute, I have to admit with the zips I pretty much bought the stock!!!
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I should have done the same! Even at 50p they were a bargain, but I was a little worried I might not use them all!
Barbara
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Love these little purses, last Christmas I made small round zipper cases in masculine fabric for my boys to keep small headphones or loose change for parking, any good in crackers for your menfolk?
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Thanks Trisha, that’s a good idea, even the same design but in a more manly pattern & tell them it’s for ear phones!!
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These are lovely! I’m always looking for projects for my scrap stash so I think I might give these a go!
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Thanks Amy-June, they’re great for using scraps up, all these are from my scrap drawers!
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