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Sewing for men, especially accessories

Amyred | Posted in General Sewing Info on

Wondered if anyone has any ideas for sewing gifts for men. I’m always looking, but coming up with very little. (Maybe I’m just DUM, I don’t know.)  My boyfriend doesn’t need clothes, but I would like to make him some things for like Christmas and his birthday in September. I made him an eyeglass case and a dresser tray from Mary Mulari’s Made for Travel, and he’s found that very useful, but that’s been it.  I also have a father and two brothers, and occasionally have others cross my path.

Any suggestions?

 

Amy

Replies

  1. 07ranch | | #1

    Considering the men I'm around, most are very casual, I know some men are more "neat" and appreciative of accessories, mine are not!

    A foundation pieced quilt (I intended it to be a wall hanging, used and loved as a lap blanket), polarfleece- hats, headbands, vests and socks. Flannel pajama/lounge pants, with pockets and drawstring and elastic waist, a little nicer than the store variety.

    I have a friend who has had success making gorgeous neckties of fabulous and unique fabrics.

    I have one male friend that prefers cloth napkins of a certain type and is pleased to have a new set every now and again.

    I guess it really depends on the men you know and their fashion sense (if any)LOL.

    1. Amyred | | #2

      Mine has a good fashion sense--when he has a need for it--but he prefers to buy his own, and he's got plenty.

      I saw a book once called, "Accessories for Men," it was online but I didn't bookmark it and now it's gone.

      Any Manly Men out there with suggestions?

      1. Crafty_Manx | | #3

        Boxers!  I am always sewing boxers for my boyfriend..he likes that I can often find cotton on the bolt that is softer than what's used in RTW, and he prefers the elastic in a casing.

        Another idea is a bathrobe or pajamas or something along those lines.

        If he cooks, an apron or potholders or other "kitcheny" things.  Placemats are good, and prevents you from having to wash a tablecloth every night (I am horribly messy with anything resembling spaghetti).

        Monogrammed towels are also a nice touch and if your standard machine has a built-in alphabet, you don't need a fancy embroidery machine to make them.

        Lastly, the fleece blanket.  He may look at you strangely at first, but he will not deny how warm and confortable it is to be wrapped up in fleece while lounging on the couch or in bed.

        ~Cat

        1. skyrocker1 | | #9

          Hey the Pjamas are always a great gift. If its a young family make dan a pair and son and daughter with matching pair, go wild on the flannel material. Quite a conversation piece. Doc

  2. sewphaedra | | #4

    Ah yes, the men. Every year I have to come up with something to make for them. One year I made all the men very nice twill paisley silk scarves with fringed edges. Like fancy opera scarves, but warm and not too fancy to wear with a plain overcoat. Another year it was bath mitts and scrub cloths. Last year it was those rice-filled heat/ice packs with masculine geometric print baby-cord covers. Kitchen towels and potholders are good if the men like to cook. I knitted slippers one year for my husband, those were not a big hit. This year I think I might do heavy wool socks (But that's not sewing, sorry). What about tote bags? Toilet kits? I made my husband a shoe storage thing that hangs over the door, with really large pockets for his very big shoes.

  3. Tish | | #5

    My father used to really like ties that my sister made for him.  She would go to G Street, back when it was still a couturier remnant shop and actually on G Street, and get fabrics that were way too intriguing for menswear.  I never made enough ties to get the hang of the "hang."

    My husband is really big- he wears a XXLT in ready to wear, so when he finds something funky and causal that he likes, he can't get it in his size.  The last shirt I made him was a casual button-down in a hand-woven Indonesian brocade.  He saves it to wear for "special" and it's getting pretty tight across the chest and belly....  My problem is that I can't get patterns to fit, and I can't expand them enough without completely remaking them.  So I haven't made him a shirt for years.

  4. Keva | | #6

    Amy,  what about personalized bed sheets, pillow cases, curtains, tablecloths, etc. 

    Keva

    1. Amyred | | #7

      For a guy? Especially THESE guys?

      I now live with my boyfriend. . .well, he's just not that type. Neither is my Dad. Nor my two brothers.

      However, that is a nice idea for weddings and showers. Thanks for reminding me!

      1. sarahkayla | | #8

        I have made a couple of wall hangings for my DH using sexy verses from The Song of Solomon.  This year I made him a phototransfer lampshade using photos of my DH when he was a little kid with some beloved and recently departed  relatives as well as photos from our courting days. (This is a man who hates stuff.. but he has loved those gifts)

        One year I made a bed spread.. but he really didn't care about it.

        sarah in nyc

  5. ChrisHaynes | | #10

    Things I've made for hubby and male relatives (and a couple I plan to make):

    1)  work apron from canvas (he does woodworking)

    2)  buckwheat filled wrist rest for the keyboard (my wrist is resting on it now)

    3)  sport bag... I've made them specifically for swim gear (small... next time it will be ventilated, live and learn)

    4)  for soccer coach dad:  bag to hold soccer balls and pennies for kids (type of pull over ventilated shirt to distinguish kids when they split up into teams during practice)

    5)  canvas holster for garden clips for father-in-law

    6)  buckwheat head rest pillows

    7)  heavy duty bags out of Cordura (backpack fabric) - I once (and it was accidental, I thought it was canvas when I picked it up from the remnant table) made a heavy duty bag from Sunbrella.  This stuff can be sewn with a good home machine with a large sharp needle.  It would be good for making a bag that could haul heavy tools... or a wood carrier. --- This is a website of someone who has made some courier bags: http://codesmiths.com/shed/bags/courier.htm

    ... Things on the radar for future projects:

    1)  polarfleece socks/slippers from the RainShed pattern (his feet get cold when works at the computer on his telecommute days)

    2)  polarfleece caps

    3) I have some Oxymoron fabric (bright orange and black camouflage canvas) that I plan to make a bag for my dad to use when he hunts (with a vinyl bottom to keep it dry)

    A few more ideas can come from going to the Free Projects section of http://www.nancysnotions.com (it included a tool roll and pail of pockets)... and at the Sewing and Craft Projects page of http://www.getcreativeshow.com/index.htm (includes a cordless phone holster).

    Also... you may get inspired if you hang out at an outdoor fabric store.  The one near me sells patterns and books that have good manly projects:

    http://www.seattlefabrics.com/books2.html

    AND... a sewing machine company (a real he-man macho machine) has a project page of what some of their customers have made:

    http://www.sailrite.com/PhotoGallery/photogalleryindex.htm

    1. Tish | | #11

      Chris, I'm not telling my men about you---they'll want to be adopted.

      1. ChrisHaynes | | #12

        LOL!!

        Well... those projects are over a 15 year span. 

        For a long while I was the lone female in a guy house (hubby, two boys).  Then I finally got the little girl!  I thought I would make lots of sweet frilly things and doll things.  Nope!! Not a chance!  She doesn't even like Barbie.  So I have to resort to making princess costumes for a school auction to satisfy my frill and frou-frou fondness.

        1. Amyred | | #13

          Thanks for your help--it's appreciated. I have a lot more options than I had before. I need to print these answers so I can keep them handy come holiday time! Of course, there is also Microbiology to consider, and applying to nursing school before the end of December.  This will make it a lot easier. Thanks!!!!!

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