The concept of slow fashion, or any other movement tagged as such, may seem like an already existing idea offered as new, yet it does have continued relevance in a world with expected future resources strained, the use of toxic products in manufacturing textiles and burgeoning landfill concerns.

Though our busy hustle and bustle modern era seems to shorten the time to devote to handcrafted items for gift giving, stitching together simple materials for quick-to-make items helps to recapture the magic and quaint charm of holiday times remembered.

Whether called sewing hacks or tips, sewing room secrets or shortcuts, the effect is always the same – sewers sharing a more productive, efficient way to sew. Of course, learning and trying new sewing techniques is really part of a long tradition of the sewing process.

As a holiday craft project, sewing a gingerbread house from fabric or felt can be delightful. The tiny houses are charming to use as a tree ornament, package decoration, or multiples strung together for garland.

Of all the delightful things to handcraft or sew as ornaments clothespin dolls will surely bring a smile as they hang serenely with festive candy canes, jolly Santas, and smiling snowmen on a decorated holiday tree.

To bring the warm glow of the happiest of holiday times to that busiest of rooms - the kitchen, consider sewing a kitchen makeover with just a few yards of holiday themed printed fabric.

Fleece fabric is truly an engineering marvel mostly made of a high-tech polyester, fleece yarns can be blended with other fibers and come in every conceivable color in solids, prints too numerous to mention, from low loft to high loft, lightweight, extremely durable, with a warm wool-like quality.

For the novice stitcher sewing elemental pieces to fashion into placemats, table runners or colorful wall hangings to the most skilled fiber artist who has mastered the techniques of cutting, piecing, stitching, and assembling into an astonishing design, patchwork has an appeal to many.

Fabric toppers for Mason-style canning jars, popular when giving home preserved fruits and veggies as gifts, can be ornately hand-embroidered, delicately draped with an antique hankie or a simple cut square or circle of fabric. Easy to make, the fanciful fabric bonnets are a finishing touch.

For warmth and simplicity using fleece to construct simple Halloween costumes can’t be beat. Fleece fabric is economical, easy to sew or no sew, and creative ideas are always available online to spark the imagination.