My mom’s church is having a craft fair. My mom has no idea what to make. She loves making things and is a great sewer. She has a serger, and piles of fabric. What she doesn’t have is ideas.
Does anyone know what might actually sell? We know to keep things simple and affordable. Does anyone have any experience they can share with us?
Does she quilt? Someone gave me a very simple 5’x5’ quilt recently, and I was thrilled. What makes it cool is the fabric.
I bet someone would pay for a coupon for an hour’s worth of mending by a skilled seamstress.
Stuffed toys and quilts. Quilts are a big ticket item but if they sell can bring in some serious coin
Pillowcases some patterns here
My mom hasn’t sold any, but she’s donated her share to various charities (mostly by way of quilt shops), and given themed pillowcases to a number of relatives.
Or, if you’ve got sturdier fabric, bags. I’m less certain I’d recognize a simple bag pattern if it bit me, so I won’t post a link.
Wearables. I love this scrap scarf tutorial.
Check out Craftster.org. TONS of ideas, patterns, and instructions.
Check out etsy.com
People sell lots of craft stuff on there, and you could get a lot of ideas for things that would be perfect.
Aprons like www.flirtyaprons.com sells.
At craft fairs I’ve seen (and sometimes bought) table runners, placemats, fabric bags, guest towels with added fabric to make them “special”, pillowcases, potholders, crocheted dishrags, throws, and sofa pillows.
Don’t forget the children. Lots of the buyers will be grandmas and expectant parents, so consider cloth dolls, stuffed animals, bibs, and layette stuff. One of the coolest things I found was a pillow that unfolded into a mini sleeping bag.
My mom bought a half dozen for Xmas gifts - microwave potato bag. Can also be used as a hot pad.
Stuffed dolls, including ones in sailor suits for the little boys. Church fair sock dolls were among my favorite toys when I was little – particularly remember one in seeksucker pajamas with a sleepy-face (closed eyes).
I have some bag caddies that are great. They hold your plastic grocery bags for reuse. The bags go in the top and come out the bottom. Probably easy and cheap to make.
I vote tote bags/reusable grocery bags.
A Christmas tree skirt?
Or (and I don’t know if this is possible, I don’t have any patterns) some kind of Christmas tree ornaments?
What about a (seasonal) banner? I’ve seen lots of them hanging around my neighborhood.
How about an Advent calendar?
Depending on the fabric and what it’s made from, she could make potholders, and table runners, and placemats and napkins. Bonus points for patchwork. The Advent calendar is a really great idea, too, it would use up a lot of tiny scraps. I’ve had a LOT of people praise my drawstring gift bags, and they get reused for gifts. Again, she can make these from patchwork…make a square of patchwork, add a length of plain fabric on top so that all of the patchwork shows easily.
Also, throw pillows.
Some springy or summery purses would be cool and in-season. Scarves not so much, it’s getting too warm already.
Thanks for all the great ideas! I’ll pass them along to my mom. She has until the end of April, which should be plenty of time to make a few things.