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30-Minute Miracles: Fast In-the-Hoop Embroidery Projects for Last-Minute Gifts
Short on time and need a quick gift? Can you embroider that gift?
Yes, you can! Believe it or not, there are actually some project that can be completed in 30 minutes.
Businesses that run industrial embroidery machines figure that if a design has 20,000 stitches and their machines run at 700 spm (stitches per minute), in 28 minutes they can finish embroidering that design. Most of us don’t have industrial embroidery machines, but our machines can run at 800–900 spm or more. So if I used their formula but chose a design with 12,000 stitches, I should be able to complete it in about 17 minutes. That figure doesn’t take into account the time needed to prep your fabrics, hoop stabilizers, etc., but it does give a ballpark idea of how long it will take to embroider a design.
We also need to think about the project complexity. Does it have multiple thread changes? A lot of applique? Those will take more time. For this post, I chose designs that have around 12,000 stitches or far fewer. I also went with designs that could be done with only a few thread changes. Wait until you see all the projects I found!
Right now I am in “holiday mode,” thinking of quick gifts to make for friends. You know the times when you get an invite and have no time to go shopping? But many of these ideas can also be used for birthdays or other occasions.
First, check out the DBJJ Amazon store for our team’s favorite products, then look at all the quick-stitch designs available.
Project types included in this post:
Key Fobs
Quilted Key Fobs are always welcome and a cinch to make if you have a stash of hardware. For a fun touch you could personalize one with a special fabric. Make it longer to fit on the wrist. If you have a little extra time, add a name or occasion date.
These cute Key Ring Chip Bags are so fun! They were designed to hold your little shopping cart chip or token. Personally, I think the name also applies to potato chips—because no one can stop at just one! How many can you make in 30 minutes?
Holders
Or how about a Grab-n-Go ID Holder? It could hold a gift card to a favorite coffee shop too.
That leads me to Gift Card Holders. Isn’t this one perfect for anyone on your list? JuJu has gift card holders for many occasions, including holidays, so do a search and find your favorite.
Hand Sanitizer Holders are still in high demand. These little cuties can be whipped up quickly with just a few supplies.
Eyeglass Cases
Do you know someone who is always misplacing their sunglasses? Check out this really quick Pieced Sunglasses Case 2. Make it in bright colors so it can be found easily.
What about a little case to keep reader-type eyeglasses close at hand? I love that this Reader Case for 6x10 hoops can be clipped to a bag or lanyard.
Wallets
Thinking about a small wallet for all those store punch cards and rewards cards? In this blog post, I made two different wallets. The Easy Peasy Wallet really is easy and it goes together in a jiffy. I made it along with the Pocket Wallet and wrote this blog post to show you the simple process.
Bookmarks
An ITH Free Standing Lace Bookmark is pretty quick, especially if you use one color thread. Or use variegated thread for a surprise design!
Towels
Everyone loves a new hand towel or dish towel. I have a stash of towels I have picked up here and there, washed and ready to go. How about an In The Hoop (ITH) Towel Topper? This one is for a 5x7 hoop.
Or this one is for a 6x10 or larger hoop: In The Hoop Towel Topper 2.
You do need to go to your sewing machine to finish the gift, but it can still be done pretty quickly.
One more towel idea for you. I cannot tell you how many swim and beach towels I have added names and team names to for my grands. I use this Amorette Sketch Font in the 4” or 5” size and it always turns out great.
Mug Rugs and Wraps
I realize not everyone has towels at the ready. So how about a quick mug rug? If you do a search for "mug rug" on the DBJJ website, you will find pages of cute ideas for any occasion. Here is one I liked.
It's called ITH Coffee Doodle Mug Rug and is for 5x7 to 9.5x14 hoops. Few color changes and no applique mean it is definitely quick to stitch. With a bigger hoop, I might be tempted to make a trivet. That may take a bit longer, but it would be so worth the extra time.
A Mug Wrap with a hook-and-loop closure is always appreciated.
There is also a design for a Button-and-Loop Closure. This is such a thoughtful gift! Choose the one that works with the supplies you have on hand.
Pre-purchased Blanks
For me, there are lots of times when a project needs to be done fast. I can put a sketch design on a pre-purchased apron, a tote, etc. in about 30 minutes if I have my supplies ready, and you could too. You will find a lot of embroidery blanks at JuJu’s Amazon Store (blanks) for exactly this purpose!
The most important thing is to have that drawer or box of towels, totes, aprons, and T-shirts to get you started. If you are anything like me, once you start you won’t be able to stop. Before you know it, you will have a small stash of gifts ready to go!
Please be sure to share your projects in the Designs by JuJu Embroidery Blessings Facebook Group, or use the hashtag #designsbyjuju anywhere on social media. We all love to see what you create!
