Valentine Gifts for Dudes

One week remaining until Valentine’s Day.  And even if making a big deal out of the day isn’t your thing, it’s nice to observe it in some way, yes?  We’re going away for the weekend to a couples’ retreat in the mountains, which we’ve never done before–and if I were a planning woman (which I am), I’d want to have something yummy for my sweet husband.

So, using your suggestions, here’s a round-up of tutorials around the web that can be utilized to make something tweedy and delightful for your handsome fella!

Suggestion: men’s dopp kit/travel toiletry kit in some kind of tweedy man fabric

Tutorial: Pretty Modern fully lined zippered box pouch (see the Whipstitch version here)

Fabric:  a nice wool tweed, perhaps?  I suggest thrifted men’s suit pants or something from the wools at FabricMartFabrics.com (they’ve got some great stuff on super sale right now!)

 

Suggestion:  car garbage bag with some kind of hook-and-loop closure

Tutorial:  Messy Car Solution garbage bag from How Does She

Fabric:  I like this in a rip-stop nylon, so it has sort of a sporty feel to it

Suggestion:  embroidered handkerchiefs for him

Tutorial:  CraftStylish has a lovely one with manly, loving phrases (NOT an oxymoron)

Fabric:  you can use good-quality men’s handkerchiefs, or purchase yardage of a nice cotton batiste and cut into squares

Suggestion:  desktop organizer (which I took to mean “valet tray for man things”)

Tutorial:  Valet Tray from Sew In-Between

Fabric:  I love the idea of a really nice linen/cotton blend for this, or a lovely corduroy, but call me crazy for wanting REALLY BADLY to do it out of leather

Suggestion:  wallet with secret love note pocket (and nerdy hidden interior, maybe with a superhero image only he can see)

Tutorial:  Father’s Day Men’s Wallet from Quiltish

Fabric:  I like a nice felted wool here, or corduroy or tweed, but imagine the possibilities if you printed up your own fabric over at Spoonflower, especially for the interior…

Suggestion:  skinny ties made from vintage or thrifted ties

Tutorial:  Kurtz Corner has one from her husband, Justin, inspired by his time working at Niemans!

Fabric:  any leftover, vintage, thrifted or hand-me-down tie will do

Have fun with these, and tomorrow I’ll be back with an all-new tutorial for your beloved manly man this Valentine’s Day. Woot!