As Moda’s Visual Merchandising Manager, Debbi Duckworth (better known as Ducki), is always on the lookout for inventive ways to use the many products stocked by United Notions. Over the past few weeks she’s been gathering items from the warehouse shelves that lend themselves to holiday crafting. Not only will the finished crafts add some fun to your holiday décor, making them with friends, family members, and customers provides the perfect opportunity to slow down and enjoy one another’s company at this hectic time of year. Take a look at what Ducki found.

“Craf-tex is my new favorite,” says Ducki about this fusible. “There are so many ways to use it and it’s fusible on both sides. Their pre-cut round (437 6CR) and square (437 7CS)shapes are perfect for making your packages extra special. Just fuse your fabric and then do a quick buttonhole stitch all around—I used Presencia perle cotton. For an ornament, you could use wool to make it a little firmer. There are so many options—you could fuse fabric that’s been embroidered, stenciled, or stamped to create personalized ornaments. The pre-cut shapes would be perfect for an Advent calendar. And Craf-tex comes in different sizes if you want to make something bigger, too.

Ducki also cut out and fused greetings from Cosmo Cricket’s Dear Mr. Claus line for more package adornments. “The fabric has greetings like ‘Warm Wishes for a very Happy Holiday Season” or you could write on fabric to make your own,” she says. “I ironed two greetings onto the fusible at once, using an applique pressing sheet (Bear Threads Designs Applique Pressing Sheet BT212) so the fusible didn’t get on my iron. And because I didn’t put fabric on the back, I could fuse the greetings to the package.”

Other ideas to make your packages stand out under the tree include using the Accuquilt Go! Baby (55300) holiday dies (55043) to cut snowflakes, trees, holly leaves and berries, and adhering the colorful shapes to boxes. “They really stand out if you use plain paper and attaching them with spray adhesive (Spray and Fix Permanent Fabric Adhesive 404 or Scotch Super 77) means no glue lumps,” says Ducki. “The Go! Baby is so easy to use that this would be something fun to do with kids.”

 

Another family-friendly tool is Clover’s simple-to-use Pom-Pom Maker (3128), which comes in several sizes. “You can make pom-poms in holiday colors and tie them to a length of yarn and hang them above your fireplace, like a garland, or tie them to packages” says Ducki. “I’ve got a grandson who’s nearly four and if we got him started, I think pom-poms would be easy enough for him to make.” You could also whip up some yo-yos in holiday fabrics with Clover’s Yo-Yo Maker (8701) and dangle them from the branches of your tree.

For older family members, say pre-teen girls, who are looking to add a little bling to the holidays, Ducki suggests Kandi’s Crystal Crafter Applicator (07102) and Lorna Hot Fix Embellishments. “They could spell out the initials of their best friend on packages or ornaments and decorate bows, tags, and ribbon for a sparkle,” says Ducki. “And when they’re done, these ArtBin Twisterz (6940-AB) are fantastic—you can store crystals and all kinds of things and they’re stackable and lock together, so you can keep everything in its place.”

For a more traditional holiday feel, buttons can be arranged in the shape of a mitten, snowflake, or the first initial of a gift recipient on ornaments and packages. For a really sensational package, try buttons-on-a-roll (2109-64) tied atop a bright ribbon. These buttons-on-a-roll would also look sensational combined with a fabric or pom-pom garland above a fireplace or draped artfully on the branches of a Christmas tree.

Baker’s twine (99931) adds a cozy feel to packages and can be used for hanging ornaments, holiday cards, or anything you want to have a little homespun color. Substituting rickrack (Elan 2107 and Trim Trends RR41) pom-poms on a roll, or crocheted trim (2109-59) for ribbon adds punch to simple brown paper-wrapped packages. “It’s a great way to make your packages more fun and creative,” says Ducki.

Ducki’s a big fan of Pinterest and it was there she saw a tape measure bow (Clover Tape Measure C250), the perfect touch atop a gift for your sewing buddies. “You can make them from twill tape that looks like a tape measure (Elan 2109-37), but this one uses an actual tape measure,” says Ducki.

If your holiday style leans toward elegance, the Imaginisce imagi-cut ribbon cutter (003948) might be just the thing. It cuts and seals ribbons to prevent fraying.

 

Speaking of ribbon, Ducki admits that if only she had room, she’d love to have a Clip-It Ribbon Organizer (01 010) to keep all these trims tamed. “I love the way you can clip small pieces of ribbons underneath,” says Ducki.

So, let the holiday crafting begin. And, as Ducki says, “Let your imagination run wild!”

Do your notions and gadgets multi-task this time of year? How do you use them to create some holiday spirit?