By Eva and Stella Fried
The holiday season probably isn’t the first thing on your mind during July’s sunny days, but what if this month’s warmth became the perfect inspiration to start your holiday to-do list early? We encourage you to celebrate “Winter in July” by starting on those DIY gifts ahead of schedule, which is really a gift to your future self!
Plus, now is the perfect time to stock up on the bright colors and florals of our summer inventory. Think, making a flowy linen or cotton dress for a loved one during summer’s peak, and all its lush scenery available for your inspiration! The recipient will be filled with anticipation to wear their bright new garment — maybe it’s what cures their winter blues — and you’ll be so happy you did the work already when December rolls around.
Why Start Your Holiday Crafting in July?
Before we get into the gift ideas, let’s talk about the important advantages of making months before December. Give yourself the gift of being ahead of schedule, whether you’re shopping for unique, heartwarming gifts for your loved ones or for the supplies to make them yourself, we have what you need for the holidays available right now!
Think about how happy your future self will be getting a head start on your holiday gift-making when December rolls around!
Keep crafting with care, knowing you have plenty of time to get your gifts ready!
Skip the Holiday Rush
The weeks leading to winter holidays are often packed with event planning, family gatherings, and last-minute gift hunts. Not to mention the limited stock and completely sold-out items we come across while shopping in December. Starting early lets you avoid that pressure and enjoy the holidays stress-free with your loved ones.
Have Plenty of Time to Find Unique Gifts
Planning ahead gives you the luxury of picking gifts that stand out. Loading up on our vibrant summer stock now will give you everything you need to start your holiday gift-making. Don’t let the time crunch of the holiday season keep you from getting your first choice in supplies. Doing your shopping now lets you focus on items that reflect personality and thoughtfulness instead of settling for what’s left during the holiday rush.
Spread Out Expenses & Making Time
Holiday shopping can be costly when done all at once. By buying gifts gradually, you ease the financial stress and allow more room for enjoyment later in the year. For the gifts you plan on making, work in stages — like buying your supplies now — to help stagger projects. Plus, using some of your time now can help you be present when the holidays are in full swing.
Creative Christmas in July Gift Ideas
Here’s where fun meets function — with summer-inspired and early-season gift options that will make your shopping list stand out. All available to shop at Sew to Speak!
Yarn and Crafting Supplies for Fiber Artists
For the makers in your circle, thoughtful crafting gifts can be a true delight.
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Hold Your Yarn in Style: Shop our beautiful yarn bowls from LennyMud, perfect for keeping your yarn tidy and untangled. These ceramic wonders are functional, sleek, and with a touch of humor — just watch out for curious cats, as you’ve just trapped their ultimate prey!
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Patterns for Fall & Winter: We love thinking ahead to the cooler months, which is why we love to carry items from the Pacific Knit Co. The top-down sock patterns, Standard Cowl, and/or fingerless mitts are a must. Pair these patterns with Scheepjes yarn, especially the Organicon, for a truly luxurious gift.
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Craft Kits Galore: From punch needle sets to DIY embroidery kits, help your friends (or yourself!) get summer projects rolling and fuel their creativity year-round.
Stock up on your favorite summer products to make special gifts for those you love!
Stylish and Practical Storage Solutions
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Steel Stackable Boxes: Fellow makers will appreciate the Toyo steel toolboxes in blue, green, or silver. These stackable cases are perfect for storing sewing notions or yarn supplies. They’re also great for road trips or collecting little treasures. Bonus points if they’re personalized with fun stickers!
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Cork and Vinyl Materials: Have someone in your life who’s itching to sew? Our jelly and clear vinyls from Sassafras Lane are perfect for crafting pouches like the Hello Pouch from Knot + Thread. And our cork and moonglow vinyl would look beautiful in the Cork Bottom Pencil Pouch from Sew Lux Fabric.
Sewing and Fabric Treasures
Why not offer the gift of a perfect summer wardrobe? Sewing enthusiasts will adore stunning fabrics like the Sapphire Floral Viscose from Fabric Godmother, an excellent material for creating light and breezy Edwardian-inspired pieces. This fabric brings timeless charm.
For a whimsical touch, pair it with our adorable Firefly Notes notions tins, perfect for storing sewing supplies. These tins come in two sizes, small and large, for all of your notion-holding needs, no matter the size of your project. Plus, they are the perfect combination of Blueberries for Sal and Make Way for Ducklings by Ohio writer and illustrator, Robert McCloskey.
In honor of Christmas in July, you can also shop the Tiny Christmas collection from MODA, available in store and online at Sew to Speak. This precious little collection is perfect for all of your holiday needs, while still looking nice year-round! We especially love the bunting panel — so cute!
Creative Activities for Making Memories
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Gift Crafting Kits: Explore our vast collection of kits for all of your favorite crafts, including yarn kits, cross-stitch kits, embroidery kits, macrame kits, dye kits, and more!
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Spark inspiration with Books & Patterns: Beyond all the supplies you need to create beautiful and thoughtful gifts, we also have tons of resources to gift to the makers or aspiring makers in your life! Shop our collection of books and patterns for sewing, crochet, quilting, and much more.
Find inspiration for quiltmaking, sewing kits, and more – we have something in store for everyone on your list!
Benefits of Thoughtful Summer Shopping
Personalized Gifting
When you shop early, you have time to personalize your gifts. Consider ideas like monogrammed fabric pouches, custom crochet projects, or theme-inspired sewing supplies. These details make your presents feel one-of-a-kind.
Sustainable and Local Choices
Shopping in July lets you support sustainable goods and local artisans. Look for handcrafted items, eco-friendly fabrics, and reusable storage containers to ensure that your gifts give back to the environment and community.
Why Choose Sew to Speak?
At Sew to Speak, we believe in celebrating the art of thoughtful gifting. Our curated collection of fabrics, pattern kits, and crafting supplies makes it easy to check off your holiday shopping list early — and with unmatched style.
Whether you’re picking out punch needle kits for an aspiring crafter, snagging the perfect yarn bowl for a knitting enthusiast, or browsing fun vinyl options for sewing projects, our shop has something for everyone.
About the Authors
At Sew to Speak, we are all about collaboration, and this blog post is no different! These words are a group effort with thoughtful input from Eva Fried and Stella Fried.
Since 2023, Eva Fried has been the co-owner of Sew to Speak; however, she has been a customer of the shop since 2013. Eva is a loving mom/wife, health care provider, and a self-taught lifelong maker with an unquenchable thirst for learning and creating.
Stella Fried has been a versatile team member at Sew to Speak since May 2023, but they have been a passionate maker for years. While they love to knit, crochet, and sew, they also express their creativity by making marketing magic on our Instagram and Facebook and when writing our fantastic newsletter.