When you break it down, there really aren’t that many holidays you can’t celebrate with a little something you sewed. But that gets trickier when you’re making a gift to give for that holiday. And it is further complicated when the recipient is a dude and the holiday involves much pink and fluffiness.
Take Valentine’s Day. I don’t get super serious about Valentine’s Day, not really, but a card is nice, maybe some flowers. Then we can all move on. Some folks get a little more into it, and they enjoy a meal out, maybe some tickets, something commemorative. Right on. I’d love to make something for my husband this year, but let’s just get it out on the table: I won’t be making him the pillow above. It’s precious and would be super fun to make, but there is no way in creation that my husband would put this on our bed. Or in his office. Although I’d love to have a photo of that, just for kicks.
I’ve dug around the World Wide Internet Web a bit today, seeing if there were some great projects out there, and pickings are pretty slim, ladies. Not much to be had in the sew-for-my-man-but-not-pink-and-fluffy-or-likely-to-make-him-hide-it-in-a-drawer-so-he-won’t-have-to-hurt-my-feelings department. I doubt he’s going to do much with a heart-shaped…well, much of anything, actually. He’s a very sensitive and affectionate guy, but he’s not at all pink and fluffy.
So my question is this: what do you sew for a MAN when you’re sewing for Valentine’s Day? I would be thrilled to have some suggestions, but I think we can do better: how’s about we make a game of it? Leave your suggestion in the comments for a man-friendly sewing project to give as a gift this Valentine’s Day, and I’ll pick the funnest one* to work up a tutorial, to be posted on the blog for FREE before the big day rolls around. Sound fun? I don’t have any idea what to expect, but I know y’all have some amazing ideas–I say, share one that you’ve got floating around and haven’t figured out how to make yet, and I’ll do the math for you! Or maybe there’s one that you feel ought to be out there in the world, but you’re not in the place to make it–let me do the work. We’re all winners!
Comments will be open through Friday, when I’ll announce the chosen idea and begin working on the tutorial. Tutorial will be posted by February 6.
Oh, and let’s keep it PG-13, if we can, y’all. You’re all very nice girls, but some of the articles I read while researching this little project were a tad…ahem…specific. I think we can do classy, witty AND crafty, don’t you?
*This is totally subjective and based on what materials I have on hand/what I think will make for a fun project–but I’m open to informal voting in the comments, too, so let me know your idea and feel free to give a shout-out if you see someone else’s that rocks!
CrazyMomTats!
January 23, 2012 at 3:14 pmI’ve thought about making my guys (DH and the 3 boys) a lined men’s toiletry/shaving kit. The boxy kind with a center zip and a handle on the end.
Like this: http://tinyurl.com/6sd5kft
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:30 pmMy husband already has two of these, but when I read your comment, I instantly thought of our son: traveling to Gramma’s, taking his “nighttime underpants” and toothbrush/Thomas the Tank Engine toothpaste. And in wool plaid! How sweetly little-manly.
laurel
January 23, 2012 at 3:26 pmi will be watching this closely for ideas!
this isn’t particularly romantic, but i made my husband a “garbage bag” for his car to collect all the wrappers, etc. it velcros around the headrest support of the passenger seat, so it is easily removable if he has a passenger or if he wants to empty it. to make it personal, i used a spoonflower fabric commemorating one of his favorite tv shows (doctor who).
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:30 pmYou say it isn’t romantic, but this was another idea my husband really liked. Except I think he wanted to put it in my car. 🙁
tracy_a
January 23, 2012 at 3:30 pma lunchkit – a manly but profeesional tweed one, but lined with insul brite and something washable inside. maybe bento-y. and a set of heart post-it notes for writing little notes. Um, if I packed his lunches 😉
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:29 pmI am enchanted at the idea of tweed-meets-bento. We try to send a lunch with my husband most days, and as kitschy as I think it is to send him with a little kid lunchbox, he’s not feeling it–I bet he’d like this better than a grocery sack, by far!
Rebecca S
January 23, 2012 at 3:44 pmSteering wheel cover! My boyfriend bought his car used and the steering wheel was torn up, so he had to immediately buy a cover for it. You’d really only need 1 good manly fabric, and I can totally imagine him loving something with rockets or, if going the non-cotton route, a jazzy looking pleather type material.
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:28 pmMy husband thought this was an awesome idea–he really hates getting back into his car, even in the parking garage at his office, and having the wheel be super cold all winter. Would you make it padded/quilted? Does it just have elastic around the edges?
Rebecca S
January 24, 2012 at 8:10 pmHmm. I thought it had Velcro on it, but he says it doesn’t have anything…but then again, he loses things all the time so what does he know.
I would imagine that this would require some interesting measurements. If I were to make it I would probably scout out some store-made ones first [market research].
Maybe some form of boning? You know like those slap on bracelets from the early 90’s? So you could just slap it around the steering wheel.
But then again, elastic would probably be simpler, like the concept of a shower cap but without the material in the middle?
This is just a ramble of ideas at this point…
Ok I went and looked. His cover takes up half the circumference of the actual outer circle of the wheel, like the part that you can wrap your hands around. It’s very snug on it, and has grippies on the underside, like what are on the bottom of slipper socks. If you can find something like that, I feel like you could measure the circumference of the wheel so you know how long your tube needs to be, and make it a smiiidge smaller. Then layer your fabric, a layer of flannel [so its not too bulky], and the grippy layer [facing the wheel, not the flannel], and sew. Quilting it would provide some good texture, because you obviously don’t want his hands to slip while driving.
I’m not sure that was helpful or even remotely readable, but I’m glad he liked the idea!
Jennifer Lachman
January 24, 2012 at 8:27 pmMy husband liked this idea to. I looked at some in the store but they were lined in rubber like stuff. I bet elastic would work though. My husband also said I would have to make him matching seat covers to go with.
Sarah
January 26, 2012 at 9:34 pmI like this idea. In the summer time, and even on some warm winter days here in FL, the steering wheel in the car literally burns your hands for the first several minutes of driving. I may have to hunt around for one of these tutorials.
Rebecca S
January 27, 2012 at 3:32 pmI live in Florida too, so I feel ya!
Sparrow
January 23, 2012 at 3:48 pmWell, my viking will wear bracelets. I’m considering sewing up some embroidered cuff bracelets that are manly enough for him. He’s into leather work (think like leather armor, not the other nsfw kind), as well, so maybe something reminiscent of that.
(And yes, I call my man a viking all the time. Because he looks like one. And occasionally dresses like one. Furs and all.)
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:24 pmViking! Leather! Must see pics. 🙂
Dree
January 23, 2012 at 4:06 pmIt sounds kind of lame, but placemats/napkins. But not the nice color-coordinated-to-the-dining-room ones I like. I mean themed ones, with bicycles, or coffee, or maps. The kind my guy would actually notice.
Or, of course,flannel pajama pants!
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:24 pmNot lame! And what if they came with some kind of picnic coupon or something? Like, a whole themed gift, where he gets tableware to use now, and the promise of a warm-weather outing to use them again later? Too much?
Gayle
January 23, 2012 at 4:32 pmMy husband likes skinny ties, but sometimes they are hard to find, especially since he is freakishly tall and has to sometimes buy super-long ties. I’d love to be able to sneak a couple ties he is “meh” about because of their width and magic them into skinny ties as a surprise.
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:23 pmOooh, this would be GREAT to have! Think of all the ugly-pretty vintage ties out there, but no man could ever wear one for real because they’re too wide! I would *love* to be able to shrink them skinny and make them useable again… Hmmm…
Laura
January 23, 2012 at 4:51 pmI’ve seen some patterns for some “willie warmers” – but how about some good ol’ boxers, since we’re trying to keep it PG-13? My hubby usually wears his out and can always use another pair! Nothing says I love you like clean underwear! 🙂
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:22 pmI’m going to need you to be more specific about “willie warmers” and how they’re different from underpants? Are they, um, sculpted or something? Curiosity has gotten the best of me…
Rebecca S
January 24, 2012 at 8:11 pmhttp://ocd-obsessivecraftingdisorder.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-to-warm-naked-mountie.html
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 9:44 pmHYSTERICAL. And also: NSFW, for real. Wow.
Jenn
January 23, 2012 at 4:59 pmMy husband listens to podcasts or the radio while he walks the dogs, and I think a scarf with a phone/iPod pocket would be cool.
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:21 pmOr even a stretchy armband thingy–my husband likes to use his phone, but same idea–and he’d take it running if he had a good way to keep it stable and sweat-free.
Theresa
January 23, 2012 at 5:14 pmI love the idea of embroidering something with an anatomically correct heart….and a cheesy saying about how “you stole my heart”. See the heart that I heart via Jenny Hart below. (whew!)
http://www.sublimestitching.com/files/images/blog/hearthypopreview.jpg
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:20 pmOr any organ, right? Didn’t it used to be believed that love began in the spleen? Let’s embroider spleens and watch their confused faces! 🙂
Rachelle
January 23, 2012 at 5:15 pmA padded themed cover for his i-phone/i-pad/kindle or whatever based on his favourite thing. For my husband it would be based on fantasy roleplaying so would have an applique of a dragon or wyrm or something along those lines.
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:18 pmPadded is the key! There are some great tutorials out there with a variety of closures–I might have to do a round-up of some of the manlier ones for us all to use for reference.
Gayle
January 27, 2012 at 12:47 amWhen I first got my sewing machine last summer (and discovered you and this Web site and your book!), I saw a tutorial for how to make an awesome clutch handbag out of the arm from an old tweed suit (including the lovely old silk lining). It looked all nifty, with a magnetic closure and cuff/buttons positioned just so on the purse’s flap. My husband became obsessed with it and still asks when I am making myself one because it’s so adorable and cool.
Now I am wondering if there’s a way to modify that idea to make a (manly) padded coozie sleeve thingy for his laptop or kindle using the same idea…
(Step one is probably “find original tutorial,” sigh…..)
Deborah
February 1, 2012 at 7:55 pmI’d LOVE to see that tutorial if you can find it! I am steadily obsessed with all things tweed… Delish!
Jessica E
January 23, 2012 at 5:28 pmMaybe some comfy slippers! My hubby’s just wore out and I’d love to make him some new ones
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:17 pmHaha! For this to fly at our house, those slippers would have to be lined with fur. 🙂
Crunchy Con Mommy
January 23, 2012 at 7:40 pmHankies are fun. I’ve done some with tone-on-tone embroidery so my husband knows a heart & our initials are there, but you can’t really see them, so he doesn’t have to be embarrassed using them in public to wipe sweat or clean his glasses or whatever. I’ve also thought about making him more using linen dyed the color of his favorite sports team (and possibly embroidering the team logo on!)
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:17 pmSometimes it’s the simplest ideas that are the loveliest–like this hankie that I found on Pinterest and would be so proud to have made:
http://pinterest.com/pin/4433299602739205/
Anne
January 23, 2012 at 8:32 pmSuper cute and unique hoodie! My hubs loves these but it’s hard to find a good fit as he’s super long/ lean
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:14 pmOooh, that *would* be a great pattern to have on hand! I think for my husband it would have to be zip-front, since I don’t really like pull-overs on men over 35 all that much. I haven’t made a hoodie before–how hard could it be, right? 🙂
Jodi B.
January 23, 2012 at 8:49 pmA t-shirt quilt made from all his old concert/race shirts? With modern fabric sashing and backing. It would be like a man-woobie… because I know my husband isn’t letting me get rid of those anytime soon… Nor should he. (Plus I don’t know how to make a t-shirt quilt yet.)
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:13 pmMan-woobie is my new term-around-the-house. That is so perfectly picturesque. And I agree: they will never let us toss out all those sentimental shirts, but we certainly can’t allow them to leave the house *wearing* them, either. I have been known to do some judicious editing when packing/moving, but this would be the kinder way to reduce volume with respect.
Gabby
November 14, 2012 at 6:46 pmI made a tshirt quilt for my boyfriend last year with his favorite college team (Alabama) tshirts! He loved it and showed it to everyone! I also mixed in some flannel that was in his team colors, and trimmed with houndstooth!
Heather
January 23, 2012 at 10:26 pmA wallet would be great! It could be out of something manly like denim or corduroy, or my husband is into super heroes… I can picture denim on the outside with some fussy cut Spider-man credit card pockets inside… And maybe a little pocket specifically for love notes?
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:12 pmLove note pocket!! LOVE that! And I like the idea of it being textured and “manly” on the outside, but having something whimsical and very specific to his tastes on the inside.
Claudia
January 23, 2012 at 10:40 pmShoe bags for travel and for him embroider or somehow mark the type of shoe that the bag is for, running shoes, black dress, brown casual etc.
Another idea for travel is a type of roll similar to a jewelry roll but for all the cords etc. that we travel with now. Again I’d think it would help to identify which cord went in each slot as a reminder to pack his cords.
Another is a bag lined with plastic for wet bathing suit,oh yes another reminder- to take it off the shower rod. And while I’m at it a bag for dirty clothes so they are not repacked with his clean ones.
One more is a dry cleaning bag for his closet so it NEVER gets mixed with the laundry.
Thanks for the ideas so far!
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:11 pmHmmm… Somebody knows her way around a suitcase! 🙂 I love all these ideas–especially the one about the cords when we travel, because how great would that be?? I know I have lost more phone chargers by traveling and leaving them behind… My husband already has a dry cleaning bag and a laundry bag with which he travels, but the swimsuit thing is genius, especially in hot climates like ours–don’t ask me what happens when you toss a wet suit in with dry laundry and then travel in 90+ degree heat. Yuk.
Sarah
January 26, 2012 at 9:37 pmLove this idea for a clever cord roll-up. When we all travel together on a long-haul for the holidays, we carry along the “snake bag” full of cords – so named because it looks like a bunch of snakes have been stuffed into it!
Diane
January 23, 2012 at 11:17 pmI was going to say IPAD or Kindle cover, but someone already suggested that.
How about some manly but comfortable pajama pants!
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:09 pmUh, now you’re just making me feel bad: I never did get those Grinch pajamas done. Moving took over. Do you think it’s weird to give Grinch pajamas for Valentine’s Day??
Tiffany
January 24, 2012 at 12:54 pmEvery day is a good day for Grinch pajamas! And I second and third the pj suggestions- I made a bunch for my husband for Christmas, and he was thrilled. Pants that were actually the right length! And comfortable with things he liked on them! And way easy, especially if you ditch the corporate pattern suggestion of hemming them AFTER the legs are sewed- are you crazy? Hem them when the leg is still flat with only 1 side stitched, then you just go straight across instead of in a circle, and it’s 10 times easier!
bridgette
January 23, 2012 at 11:20 pmI saw a tie at my local fabric store made with a (3sisters or 3women I think ?) print of a map of Paris. I have been wanting to make one for the hubs for a couple months now.
I think it’d be great to find a good way to personalize it further – say with fabric that shows a map of significant places to your relationship (I saw something like this floating around on pinterest, but not in a wearable form).
ideally this will end up as something awesome yet subtle, wearable and totally from the heart.
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:08 pmI have that fabric! What a PERFECT use for it, too. And I bet you could scan some art into Spoonflower and get very specific, romantic fabric made…. What a lovely, thoughtful gift that would make… Plus, I’ve seen a lot more ties these days made from quilt-weight cotton, and they turn out great: nice, but not too dressy, just right for a dressy-casual gathering or evening out.
Julie
January 24, 2012 at 5:57 amI love the ideas so far! My husband has the charming habit of always putting his wallet and watch in exactly the same spot so he’ll know where it is the next morning. It’d be great to make a little boxy organizer for him to put it in instead of plunking it down on top of the desk. I’ve struck out in the hand-made dept many times when it comes to gifting him (knit hats, slippers), so it’d have to be a low-risk investment. I remember my dad had the world’s coolest dresser-top organizer that I loved to look through — it kept coins, nail clippers, prayers cards, misc. medals and trinkets that he wanted to keep (a few of them were child-made). 3 open compartments and one with a lid.
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:07 pmI was just thinking of something like this yesterday! Actually, I was wondering how hard it would be to make it out of leather. I think a very nice leather “bowl” to organize his man things would be awesome.
Sarah Pearse
January 24, 2012 at 10:29 amI am an embroiderer – so I would embroider something beautiful inside his favorite suit. Sarah Loves Me or something to that effect. It would be just a hidden little reminder of me every time he was dressed up.
I can think of nothing more subtle or secret than that.
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:06 pmI LOVE this idea. Like, LOVE it. I don’t think I’d be brave enough to do it to his very most favorite suit, but I bet I could get away with putting it inside my favorite suit to see him wear!
Jennifer Lachman
January 24, 2012 at 11:19 amA super warm lined hat and matching gloves in red plaid with a homemade tag on the inside that says I love you.
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:06 pmIf we lived in a colder climate! 🙂 Actually, I think my husband would love this, but might prefer the hat to be knitted–he really likes to wear them snug against his ears on those rare occasions when he skis.
Renee
January 24, 2012 at 11:26 amOoh, great ideas! Mine is a little boring, but with the right fabric and a lot of love, my hubby would love it! Silk boxers in a really great pattern – something modern, sophisticated, manly – not “Valentine’s cheesy”. I don’t even know where I would find silk fabric like that, and I’m a little too chicken to try sewing with silk yet!
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:05 pmI forget who publishes it, but somewhere out there is a great boxers pattern with a rear gusset–a lot of them don’t have that, and I’m told it’s not terribly comfortable for the gentleman who wears them. 🙂
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:26 pmI haven’t found silk super difficult to work with–just use a smaller needle in your machine and take your time cutting. Consider taping the fabric to the cutting mat and using a rotary with pattern weights to keep it from sliding all over the place–silk boxers sound luxurious!
Melany
January 24, 2012 at 12:20 pmHow about a cool flannel scarf with just a tiny heart embroidered on the inside to say “love you”? Or a “man-woobie” out of old flannel shirts or sweaters (thrift store) and again – on one corner just hand embroider a little red heart.
Deborah
January 24, 2012 at 12:31 pmPart of me is thinking that it would be so easy to make something he really wants and add just a smidge of Valentine’s, like you’re talking about. Subtle is the new Romantic.
Jennifer
January 24, 2012 at 2:37 pmI think something like this would be fun! You could crochet, or sew the legs. Use some fabric starch? I love the legs with red high heels!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MyBookmark?ref=top_trail
Rachel at Stitched in Color
January 24, 2012 at 7:15 pmMy idea probably doesn’t apply, but my man wants me to make him the most fabulous backpacking hammock tent thingy. It would keep away mosquitoes but still let him sleep in lightweight hammock. It doesn’t exist to buy. He created the idea out of this own genius head and I get to make it. Aren’t I lucky?
Naturally Chic Mama
January 24, 2012 at 10:18 pmMy husband keeps asking for a pillow with some techy symbol on it. Like @ or something. He’s kind of a geek. 🙂
Heather
January 24, 2012 at 11:51 pmI made my son a “wallet” (more like a coin purse) that looks like a cuff. It starts off thick, with a zipper for the change, and tapers down to a loop of elastic that goes around a button. The whole thing wraps around my son’s wrist. (Confused? Please ask – I can send you a picture.)
Janimal
January 25, 2012 at 9:15 amOne of my husband’s favorite things is his diaper bag. You have to see it – it’s a KISS Destroyer bag. http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-39750702637116_2192_156961766.jpg He gets compliments on it everywhere he goes. From men, women, kids, etc. I think it’s hideous but he loves it. Hey, whatever gets him to carry the diapers.
Anyway, it makes me think of making a “manly” (ahem, ugly) bag for other uses. A computer satchel with a big image like that on the flap he would definitely carry. Either upload an image to Spoonflower, or use an existing T Shirt, or laminate a printed image perhaps. The nfl logo fabrics are ok for this but not quite as original as the inspiration bag – I’d rather have a big old logo on the flap than use the printed nfl fabric I think. Perhaps fabric paint and freezer paper stencils? I like the “Be A Man” prints if they could coordinate.
Diane Christy
January 25, 2012 at 9:42 amPJ pants, robe. Have made both. Love the man-woobie concept, have also made a fleece/reversible one for my husband to use in his man chair. I have to wrestle it away from him to throw in the laundry.
But I was thinking about some kind of sturdy canvas tool bag with handles. All the cool HGTV guys have them! This one would not be huge, though, just big enough for the basics – hammer, screw drivers, pliers, etc. Could be for home or car. Or a lighter weight one for shoe polishing supplies. Or a bag with emergency supplies for the car – flashlight, bottled water, granola bars, blankie.
That man-at-work collection you had last year (?) would be a great choice for contrast.
Sarah
January 26, 2012 at 9:41 pmMy husband has been asking me to come up with some sort of pillow-like holder for his mp3 player so that he can listen to music in bed. I’m up all night if there is music playing, and he can’t seem to get to sleep in silence. We could call it the sweet-sleep pillow! Such a device could do wonders for or marriage. 🙂
Amanda
January 15, 2014 at 3:49 pmI have been having a really hard time finding ideas of things to make my husband, especially since,
I just started learning how to sew! I love all these ideas, especially ghe ones to help organize stuff in suitcases and a travel case for shaving stuff and toiletries!! I think I’m gonna make this stuff, but will keep watching for more ideas! Thanks again!!