By: Stacy Thompson

So if you are anything like me, you have absolutely no time and no inclination to visit a mall, store or shopping venue at this time of year — but you want more than anything to give a perfect gift or something useful to those you love. Well, I can’t promise the perfect gift, but I can give you a guide to making, yes, making, a personalized, comfy and cozy present for anyone on your list. I give you…the No Sew Throw.

There are many videos on YouTube that can help you on your quest (and I recommend searching them before you start) but here are some tips to get you started:

• Buy 2 yards each of patterned and solid fleece (or 1 1/2 if you want a smaller throw) from your local craft store (Michael’s, Joanne’s, Hobby Lobby, etc.).
• Pick out your patterned fleece first and buy the solid to match. I had a great time with this and took some really wild patterned fleece and toned it down with solids. You could also use two solids, but with different types of fleece — ultra-soft and heavier fleece may work well together.
• Trim the fleece and pin together, right sides out. Make sure the fabric matches up and pin together to keep it from bunching or overlapping.
• Cut out corners — Usually 3 x 3 or 4 x 4 squares on each corner. (See the photo.)
• Cut 1-inch-wide strips.
• Then, there are a few different ways to go with the ties.
  • Knotted ties
    • Cut 4 x 4 squares at each corner.
    • Cut 4 inch long, 1-inch-wide strips.
    • Tie the two fabrics together, twice – make sure the knots are secure
  • Threaded tie
    • Cut 3 x 3 squares at each corner.
    • Cut 3-inch-long, 1-inch-wide strips.
    • Cut 1/8 inch hole through both strips near the top of the strip, on each strip.
    • Feed bottom strip through the hole in the upper strip.
    • Feed bottom strip through the hole in the upper strip. (You can feed through one more time if you want to—it depends on how you want your throw to look.)
  • Braided tie.
    • Cut 3 x 3 squares at each corner.
    • Cut 3-inch-long, 1-inch-wide strips.
    • Cut 1/8 inch hole through both strips in the middle of the strip, on each strip.
    • Starting in the middle of one side, feed the right side strips through the left side strips. Continue to feed the right side through the left side until completion.

Finish your throw with either knots or by sewing in buttons or other ties — and then, sit back and enjoy the smiles! Free to contact me (stacyt11@hotmail.com) if you need some help.

Happy Holidays everyone — and I look forward to seeing you all in 2017!!