The Green Pepper Gift Guide

Here at The Green Pepper, we have a lot of patterns that make amazing gifts!  We hear from customers all the time about the gifts they have made from our patterns -- for friends, family, and colleagues.  There are many patterns that are quick and easy and can be made in an hour or less (sometimes in 20 minutes!).  These are great for last-minute gifts or for making a lot of the same thing for many people.  And there are dozens of patterns that use less than a yard of fabric!  These are great for using up the scrap fabrics you already have (and keeping the cost of gifts low).  These first two categories make great stocking stuffers, too!   And then, there are patterns that might take 1-2 hours and might take a little more thought, but make wonderful gifts.  I list patterns in these categories below.  Feel free to add more in the comment section.  Tell us what Green Pepper patterns you have used for gifts!

Quick and Easy (takes less than 1 hour to make, start to finish, and is easy):

Most of the hat and mittens can be made with any kind of fleece fabric with a bit of stretch.  Use a serger for a quick finish, but a simple zigzag stitch works great for all of these patterns.  The bag patterns are great for using your creativity for fabric choice. 

• 548 Lined Mittens or Handwarmers.  For Adults and Kids.  The mittens are especially quick and easy to make. Use any kind of fleece, and stitch with a serger if you have one; otherwise, a zigzag stitch is great!
• 534 Polar Beanies.  Make for Adults and Kids. The Boarder and Runner are the quickest of the 4 types of beanies in this pattern.
• 503 Polar Cap & Ear Warmer. Sized for Adults and Kids. The Ear Warmer will take you no time at all. Use any kind of fleece.  
• 515 Polar Balaclava and Neckwarmer. Very easy. And the neck warmer will only take you 10-15 minutes to make.
• 208 Belt Pack. This quick bag can be made in about 45 minutes and it looks great!
• 551 Duffle or Gym Bag.  Make these without the outer pockets and it comes together really quickly and easily.  Or add the pockets, and it is still easy (just takes a little more time). 
• 541 String Bag.  This pattern is very easy -- made without pockets, it is super quick and easy to come together. 
• 211 Book Bag. A quick and easy project that makes a simple, great backpack.
• 546 Market Tote (and Produce Bag).  Both of these bags are quick and easy, and very practical.  
• 544 All That Stuff Sacks. Make many different-sized stuff sacks.  Also perfect for "wrapping" gifts.
• 558 Folding Pet Bowl & Chow Bag. This, and the next 2, are great gifts for people with dogs in their lives (or for your own pup). All are quick and easy to sew.
• 553 Warm & Dry Dog Coat. This and the next will be close to (and maybe slightly over) one hour to make from start to finish.
• 560 Spot's Hoodie Dog Sweatshirt.
  

Uses Less Than 1 Yard of Fabric:  Many of these are made with fleece, and many take very little time to make.

• 548 Lined Stretch Mittens or Handwarmers. Make 1 to 1.5 pairs with just 5/8-3/4 yard fleece.
• 508 Polar Paws. Make 1-2 pairs with 3/8-3/4 yard fleece.
• 529 Glov-itts & Fingerfree Gloves. Make with 1/4-3/8 yard fleece and 1/8 yard palm protector (Cordura or pack cloth or canvas).
• 534 Polar Beanies. Make 2 with 1/4 to 3/8 yard fleece.
• 540 Spirit Cap. Make 2 with 1/2 to 3/8 yard of fabric (or 2 sections of 1/4 yard each).
• 542 Roll Brim Hat. Only uses 1/2 yard of fleece (or woven fabric).
• 550 Tuck-away Balaclava. Make with about 5/8 yard fleece and 1/4 yard stretch binding.
• 515 Polar Balaclava & Neck Warmer. Uses 3/8 to 5/8 of fabric, depending on what you make, plus 1/8 yard stretch binding for the balaclava or long neck warmer.
• 522 Snow Caps (has a version literally called "Scrap Cap"). Uses 1/4 to 3/8 yard, depending on the hat you make.
• 527 Polar Slippers. Uses 1/4 to 1/2 yard, depending on the size you make. If you have 60" wide fabric, you can get 1.5 to 3 pairs out of the yardage (depending on the size you are making).
• 301 Pacific Crest Gaiters.  Uses only 5/8-3/4 yard fabric (less for children's sizes).  Get a kit to finish off the pattern here.
• 504 Polar Socks. Depending on the size and length, this pattern takes 1/4 to 2/3 yard.  And you can usually get 1.5 to 3 pairs from the yardage given.
• 526 Arctic Circle Caps. Uses 1/4 to 1/2 yard of fabric. And you could probably get 2 caps from the yardage. 
• 503 Polar Cap & Ear Warmer. 1/2 to 2/3 yard of fabric (and can probably get 2 from the yardage given). 
• 562 City Streets Billed Beret. Main fabric uses 3/8 yard and 1/4 yard interfacing.
• 407 Mt St Helens Hot Top. Only takes 1/2 to 5/8 yard of fabric to make.
• 410 Kids Oregon Racer Bike Shorts. Only takes 1/2 yard of main color and 1/4 yard of the contrast color.
• 557 Kids Snuggle Booties. You need several fabrics for this pattern, but they don't add up to a full yard (only using 1/8-3/8 of a yard each).
• 551 Duffel or Gym Bag. Small bag takes 5/8 yard of fabric; medium takes 3/4 yard; and large uses 1 yard.
• 230 Traveler's Contour Waist Pack. Uses 3/8 to 1/2 yard of fabric.
• 202 Round Cargo Bags.  Lots of options, but the smallest takes 1/4 yard (and you could probably cut 2 or more from that yardage), and the largest uses 5/8 to 7/8 yard (depending on the fabric width).
• 535 Bag-ettes. None uses more than 3/8 yard of fabric for outer or lining.  Perfect for using woven scraps.
• 203 Drawstring Day Pack. Uses 1 yard (or less, depending on the size made and fabric width).
• 561 Cougar Springs Lunch Bag. Uses 1 yard total for outer and inner fabric (plus insulation); or 1/2 yard if using pre-quilted fabric.
• 541 String Bags.  The two smallest sizes use less than 1 yard of fabric, combined, for outer and lining.
• 208 Belt Pack. Uses 3/8 yard fabric, and you could probably make 2 with that yardage.
• 211 Book Bag. Uses 1 yard of fabric.
• 546 Market Tote & Produce Bags. Depending on the bag size, this uses between 1/2 yard and 3/4 yard of fabric. And produce bag uses 1/2 yard.
• 538 Tripmate Portfolio or Map Organizer. Uses 1/2 yard or less of main fabric and 1/2 yard or less of vinyl.
• 204 Dog Back Pack. Uses 5/8 to 3/4 yard of fabric, depending on fabric width.
• 560 Spot's Hoodie Dog Sweatshirt. Uses less than 1 yard, combined, for sizes medium and smaller.
• 544 All That Stuff Sacks. 5/8 or less yards for all sacks without the flap.

Great Gifts in 1-2 Hours:

• 529 Glov-itts & Fingerfree Gloves.  Perfect for outdoor walking and working.
• 531 Polar Bill Caps. Great for working or playing outdoors. Not hard and uses little fabric; just need to have a stiffener for the brim.
• 301 Pacific Crest Gaiters. Great for the outdoorsperson in your life.
• 520 Mock Turtle Polar Sweater. Warm and cozy (and easy - might take 1 hour, maybe less). And 521 For Kids.
• 511 Rain Poncho.  A great gift (and it folds into its own pouch).  Make it in one of our fun laminated cottons.
• 536 Work Apron and Tool Belt. Easy pattern; perfect for anyone into gardening, woodworking, or using tools.
• 530 Children's Fleece Polar Pants.  Perfect for kids (and so cozy and warm).
• 202 Round Cargo Bags.  Depending on the size, you can make these in 2 hours or less.  The smallest will only take 30 minutes or less.
• 535 Bag-ettes. Three options for pocketbooks.
• 555 Village Courier Bag.  A great cross-body messenger bag that would be a great gift.  
• 552 Wave Bag. Easy bag to sew; lovely bag to gift. 
• 533 Rugged Tote or Portfolio.  These might take less than 1 hour, but if you add in the options, they might take just about 1 hour to sew up completely.
• 556 Tool Caddy.  A great gift to make and give.  
• 553 Warm and Dry Dog Coat.  An easy pattern that would take about an hour to make. 

What Green Pepper patterns are you making for gifts this year?  What ones have you used in the past for gifts?  Let us know in the comments!