A handmade gift is the perfect way to show that you love your mum, but so many craft projects can be time-consuming to make. Don't worry, our last-minute DIY gift ideas are here to save the day!
Whether you're on the hunt for the perfect DIY Mother's Day gift idea, or are maybe looking for a sweet make to craft together with your mum, we've pulled together our top DIY projects that you can make yourself.
We have plenty of beautiful last minute DIY Mother's Day gifts for you to make at home. We've got everything from quick gifts to sew to speedy knitting projects. There are embroidery projects, Mother's Day card ideas and much more.
If you're looking for eco-friendly gift ideas, we've included some lovely upcycling projects too. While most of the projects are designed for adult crafters, children may be able to make some of them with a little grown-up help.
Ready to get crafting? Read on to find lots of last minute Mother's Day gifts to DIY…
46 last-minute DIY Mother's Day gifts
1. DIY Mother's Day card
Why not make your own card this year? We've got an easy how to make a Mother's Day card tutorial and printable to show you how to make this MUM card (it's easily adapted to say "Mom" or "Mam" too – depending on your preferred spelling!).
The wonderful Bloom & Wild have also provided us with a free colouring sheet for you. They've illustrated one of their popular bouquets and we love the mix of flowers and foliage.
Download, colour, and then gift as a Mother's Day card. It would also make a cute Mother's Day activity to do with kids!
2. Try Furoshiki wrapping
Gather a small piece of fabric and try this beautiful handmade gift idea for Mother's Day. We've got a free printable and furoshiki wrapping tutorial for you to try.
3. Make a paper flower garland
This quick and easy DIY idea is a great last-minute make to give mums a handmade gift and you won't need a fully stocked craft kit to get started either.
Simply grab a few sheets of coloured paper and follow our how to craft a papercraft floral garland. You can whip up a simple garland or bouquet in a couple of hours!
4. Make bath bombs
Grab a few ingredients and make this fun alternative to a shop-bought bubble bath that's much kinder to her skin.
Follow our how to make bath bomb tutorial and package them nicely with our unique wrapping ideas.
5. Create a macrame plant holder
You don't have to have tried macrame before to make this easy pot holder – we'll show you how! Use our how to make a macrame plant hanger tutorial and pop a plant in for the ultimate last-minute Mother's Day gift.
Find some creative Mother's Day gift ideas
If you don't think you'll have time to make a handmade gift, you could always buy something for your mum to make herself.
A craft kit or subscription box is a good option if your mum is an artist or loves crafting! Check out our craft kits for adults and paint by numbers kits guides for lots of creative ideas.
6. Make handmade jewellery
These gorgeous brass earrings would make a fantastic last-minute Mother's Day gift. Easy to make, they look chic and expensive.
7. Get knitting to send your love
We've got the perfect project for you if you're short of time (and yarn!) – knit up a sweetheart keyring with our free heart knitting pattern.
8. Quick-make garden apron
Sewing your loved one something they can use every day is both practical and kind. You've recognised what they need and you've taken action to fix the problem! Green-fingered mums will love a new gardening apron and bakers will love a customised apron.
We have a free gardening apron pattern as well as a tutorial on how to make an apron here on Gathered. Gather up your fabrics and start sewing your Mother's Day gifts.
If you want to customise your pieces with their initials head over to our how to embroider letters tutorial.
9. Craft subscription box
If your Mum likes crafting as much as you do (and you've left it a bit late to actually get a present delivered by Mother's Day itself), why not treat her to a craft subscription box?
Explore these top craft subscription boxes in the UK and let her get creative this Mother's Day.
10. Make an easy origami wreath
Sticking with the floral paper theme that runs throughout this post (because let's face it, most of us have paper at home so this is a timely make at the moment if you can't get out to buy new craft supplies), fold simple paper flowers and show them off in our spring DIY origami wreath.
11. Crochet a bouquet
Perfect for the green-fingered goddess in your life, our free crochet flower bouquet pattern includes Clematis, Dogwood, Pansies, Daisies and Forget-Me-Nots.
You can crochet them from scraps of yarn from your stash and we've included a video guide to get you started.
12. Embroider a flower hoop
This lovely little floral embroidery hoop tutorial won't take you long to make and combines embroidery stitches with small fabric scraps to create a pretty floral scene. Plus it will last longer than shop-brought blooms!
13. Cross stitch ABC
We love this idea for stitching up a quick MUM message and then framing it on a board to store her favourite jewellery.
Head to our free cross stitch ABC to learn how to make the quick Mother's Day gift idea.
14. Free Mother's Day printables
Create a beautiful card to match your gift with with these floral Mother's Day watercolour printables, illustrated by Rhiannon Bull.
15. Embroidered cat pocket
Give your mum's wardrobe an adorable kitty-themed wardrobe update with this cat embroidery pattern pocket. We have two fab feline templates for you to download and stitch, which can then be appliquéd to your mum's cardigan or jumper.
16. Spring flowers knitted tea cosy
Make your mum’s day by making her this floral knitted tea cosy pattern. Within the pattern, you'll find daffodil and crocus patterns, and you can add as many flowers and leaves as you like to the top of the cosy - perfect for using up your odds and ends of yarn.
17. Craft a bunch of paper peonies
Keep things classic with this delightful bouquet of flowers. Craft the blooms with crepe or tissue paper to achieve the loose, blowsy feel of the flowers, then pop them in an enamel jug or a vintage vase.
Download our free peony papercraft templates or explore our collection of paper flowers.
18. Easy sew headbands
All you need are a couple of fat quarters of fabric to make these quick-stitch accessories! Learn how to make headbands and include them in a last-minute Mother's Day self-care package.
19. Make her a set of wax melts
Give Mum the treat of a soothing, handmade gift with our guide on how to make wax melts. It's easy and so much fun, and they smell delicious when they melt!
20. Whip up a cute coin purse
This quick-hook crochet coin purse is great for using up scraps of bright yarn and lets you see results fast as it's only a small make.
Craft the purse in your mum's favourite colours and don't forget to pop a coin in the purse for good luck!
21. Update a plain pair of socks with embroidery
Treat her feet to embroidered socks personalised with a dainty floral motif, stitched in Peking knots. Mollie Johanson shows you how it is done with this step-by-step embroidered sock tutorial.
Begin by practising working a Peking knot on a spare scrap of fabric before you learn how to embroider socks.
22. How to make paper roses
Cut and snip paper petals to shape them into beautiful, realistic paper roses. Our video tutorial and how to make paper roses step by step guide will show you how.
23. Print your own Mother's Day blooms
Our free Mother’s Day floral printables look good enough to pop into a vase and make stunning cards for mums.
Download them instantly to make your own unique cards or why not grab a simple photo frame, add a family favourite photo and embellish the frame with some of these motifs?
Head to our free Mother's Day printables to find them all.
24. DIY tassel earrings
Make your mum a handmade Mother's Day craft gift this year with Anchalika O’Connell's DIY tassel earrings step-by-step guide.
25. Patchwork cushion cover
This vibrant patchwork cushion design is perfect for giving your mum's living room decor or bedspread a bright update, and is so quick to put together!
Designed by Nicole Calver, this easy patchwork cushion pattern can be crafted from one pattern cut into smaller squares, or a variety of your fabric scraps.
26. Knit a scarf with heart pockets
Snuggle up in this cosy scarf with pockets. It's a speedy knit and a great gift for someone you love, so perfect for Mother's Day!
Worked in super-chunky yarn from Lion Brand, this project is really quick to knit. If you know your knits and purls, and you've followed a colourwork chart before, you'll be casting off in no time. Find the scarf knitting pattern here.
27. Cross stitch a rose bookmark
Stitch your own pretty petals and turn them into this one-of-a-kind or your Mom! Curl up with a good book and enjoy, or stitch individual roses to make sweet tags and cards. Use our free rose cross stitch pattern to make yours.
28. Spruce up a plain jacket with embroidered details
This idea works with any plain garments that you could find and give a makeover. Use our free flowers embroidery patterns to scatter a handful of embroidered petals and blooms. Transform simple garments into a me-made piece.
29. More crochet flowers to hook!
Ok so we have unashamedly filled this post with floral makes, but you can never have enough, surely?
We've recently added 50 crochet flower patterns to our round-up so you're sure to find your mum's favourite to make in here.
30. Handmade soap
For a lovely personal twist on shop-brought toiletries, how about making Mum a DIY soap bar this Mother's Day? Follow our failsafe how to make soap recipe. We've made it beginner-friendly and easy to try at home for you.
31. Embroidered pendants
We've fallen in love with these adorable embroidered pendants designed by Rebecca Reid. They're tiny and detailed, but you could easily make one in an afternoon.
32. Crepe paper tulips
Make your mum some beautiful blooms that won't fade after a few days! Crepe paper flowers will last much longer than a shop-bought bouquet and they're guaranteed to brighten any room.
33. Easy watercolor flowers
When was the last time you gave your mother a painting that you made yourself? We bet it was when you were very small!
This easy watercolor flower painting is too nice to put on the fridge and would look brilliant in a frame. It's a very quick project to do as well.
Looking for more art projects to try? Check out our watercolor painting ideas.
34. Painted mugs
Looking for a way to give your mum a fun personalised gift? Decorating a mug can be lots of fun and it's something children can do with a little help. We've got lots of creative mug painting ideas for you to try.
35. Speedy beanie knitting pattern
Are you a speedy knitter? If so, you can probably whip up this beanie knitting pattern for your mother in one evening.
Why not make it in her favourite colour? This is a good gift to make for someone who likes spending a lot of time outdoors.
36. Macrame keychain
These macrame feather keychains designed by Becki Clark are very quick to make. They look very professional too! You could easily make your mother a set of key chains for all of her keys.
This is a good project to make if you have any cords leftover from other macrame projects.
DIY a last-minute Mother's Day card
Whip up our Mother's Day wreath and give this lovely card as part of a last-minute Mother's Day present.
37. Naturally dyed napkins
Did you know that you can create a range of amazing colours from natural dyes? These pretty napkins can be made using strawberries, cherries, beetroot or hibiscus flowers.
Follow our eco dyeing tutorial to make your own napkins.
38. Doodled vases
To make your own doodled vases, you just need some vases, paint pens and some varnish. We like Esther Curtis's abstract faces, but you can decorate your vases however you like! Learn how to make a doodled vase with our tutorial.
39. Quick sew sleep mask
Sleep masks are very useful, whether you use them while travelling or just for taking a nap! The good news is this sleep mask pattern is very easy to sew, making it the perfect last-minute DIY Mother's Day gift.
40. Neon mug cosy
This how to make a mug cosy project by Samantha Stas is quick and easy for beginners to sew. It only uses one stitch, so even new sewers should be able to make these pretty mug cosies!
41. Knitted with love
Spend time knitting a sweet gift for your mum. It doesn't need to be a grand blanket or piece of clothing, a small gift is just as meaningful. These heart coasters can be customised to suit your mums taste and can be knitted with scrap yarns.
Learn how to knit a heart coaster and turn it into bunting, wall decor, a brooch or keep as they are. By taking a few hours out of your day to knit these hearts you'll show them just how much you care.
42. Bake up tasty treats
We all know baked goods are always appreciated by busy mums. Get in the kitchen and whip up a batch of your mum's favourite treats! If your mum is a crafter like us then she'll love these sewing-themed biscuits.
Our gingerbread recipe shows you how to bake and create thread biscuits that fit snugly onto your mug. Perfect for munching on whilst watching The Great British Sewing Bee or Bake Off.
43. DIY scrapbook album
Celebrate all the adventures you and your mum have experienced with a DIY photo album! Collect photos, tickets, memorabilia and turn them into a keepsake photo album. You can customise your photo album to your mum's life and fill it with joy and happiness.
The time you spend crafting this album will show so settle down with a cuppa and start cutting, glueing and sticking. We know this Mother's Day gift will become a treasured family item.
44. Cross stitch their favourite place
Immortalise your mum's favourite place in cross stitch! Stitch the family home, garden in full bloom or even their initials. You could adapt our free country cottage cross stitch pattern to make it look like their house.
If a place doesn't work for you why not stitch their favourite foods or beloved pets? We have plenty of cross stitch ideas in our Mothers Day cross stitch pattern collection. Once you're finished you could frame your piece for them or turn it into a Mother's Day card.
45. Time for tea
Capture your mum's favourite blooms in resin and make them last forever. Learn how to make resin coasters and customise with special keepsake items. Instead of using shop-bought flowers as they do in this tutorial, you could use dried wedding flowers, photos or handwritten notes.
There's no end to what you can turn into coasters! Use your imagination and choose something they'll enjoy resting their cuppa on.
If you're going to gift these make sure you check out our suminagashi gift wrap tutorial.
46. Get creative with clay
Finally, use your hands to craft something beautiful. We love the textured, organic look handmade pottery gives. All handmade pottery makes great gifts and we have plenty of projects here on Gathered for you to make.
Mould a clay trinket dish or these clay plant pots and customise them with your mum's initials. Paint the plant pots in colours to suit their home and pop a plant in for the final touch.
Make your mum a gift as special as she is
Handmade gifts are always the most special and they don't have to take a long time to make either. Use one of our last-minute Mother's Day gifts to create a wonderful present they'll love forever.
Discover more last-minute Mother's Day gifts to make
We hope you've enjoyed this article! Looking for more Mother's Day crafts to make? Discover the best DIY Mother's Day papercraft projects.
