10 Handmade Gifts That Carried More Love Than Anything Money Could Buy

I decided to make my mother-in-law a casual wool coat for Christmas. I did do a mockup and had her try it on with her eyes closed so I could correct any fit issues. The pattern is the Car Coat by Wardrobe by Me. The fabric is a wool herringbone from Surge Fabrics and the lining is some stretch silk satin from Cali Fabrics.
I used a rayon fusible weft interfacing for a soft tailoring structure. My sewing machine balked at doing buttonholes on my sample, so I ended up doing bound buttonholes for the project. The pattern pieces for the button placket interfacing ended up too narrow for bound buttonholes, so I had to piece in some extra interfacing there.
I also installed a hanging chain to elevate the coat a bit. The pattern itself was excellent with a really lovely drafted lining with facings. I also used clear buttons to back the buttons on the interior for a bit more longevity. I interlined the silk satin lining for some extra warmth as well.
I ended up not using the included pocket flap pattern pieces and just left the welt pockets as-is. I also hand invisible stitched all the hem facings to the coat, which I am really proud of. Overall, many mistakes were made.
I prewashed and preshrunk the wool, but still had some shrinking when I was ironing during construction, so I had to recut a couple pieces that shrunk too much. Overall though, I’m fairly happy with the outcome. I’m hoping they aren’t obvious to her. Here’s hoping she likes the coat!

My daughter dropped out of college and left home. We went no contact for three years, she asked for it. It was sad and painful, but sometimes you gotta let it go. Let children do what they want.
Then a package arrived from her. No note. Inside was a half-finished crochet project. My pattern, my colors, my yarn. I recognized it immediately. Years ago, I was making a blanket for her, but we argued before I could finish it. I forgot all about it, I had no idea she took it.
It looked like she tried to continue it too. I turned it over in my hands, trying to understand why she suddenly sent it back. Then I noticed something stitched into the corner. It said, “Truth is, you never loved me.”
I wanted to call her immediately, but I had no way of contacting her just the mailing address on the box. So I finished the blanket, carefully matching the stitches she started. I added a small note of my own, “You’re my whole heart,” and mailed it back.
The next Sunday, she came over. We hugged, the whole emotional reunion thing. She loved the blanket so much. She said she loved it even when it was unfinished.