Gift ideas for Quilters

I’ve been a quilter for sometime now and I worked in a local quilt shop for about 7 years. I always loved helping quilters and/or their bewildered deer-in-the-headlights loved ones pick out gifts at Christmas. So I thought it would be fun to create a list of gifts perfect for quilters. This doesn’t just apply to the holiday season, but could be a good resource year round, or a subtle link to send to those you love who need suggestions for just the right gift for you. (wink, wink)

I have included items in all different price ranges in case you’re looking for that one great thing for someone special, or a nifty little gift for everyone in your quilting guild.

Notions: Notions are a great gift for quilters. There is always some handy new gadget to make our quilting-lives easier. Here are a few of my favorites.

One of my very favorite tools is the Omnigrid Portable Cutting & Pressing Station. This is half cutting mat, half ironing board, that conveniently folds in half and is easily portable, using the carrying handles. I take this with me when ever I go sewing someplace away from home because I can have a convenient place to both cut and press without having to leave my machine. I often use it at home for the same reason.

Another cutting mat that has been on my list for sometime that I finally got this year is the Fiskars Rotating Cutting Mat. (Omnigrid has one too.) This little mat is so useful for quickly squaring up blocks. It’s one of those things I’ve lived without just fine for a long time, but I sure do appreciate how helpful it is now that I have it.

My two favorite cutting tools are the Olfa Splash Rotary Cutterand the OLFA 5-Inch Scissors. I love the Splash because it’s relatively inexpensive, but it’s sturdy, and because it’s SO easy to change the blade. If you don’t have a good rotary cutter PLEASE give yourself the greatest gift and get one. (My favorite are the Olfa’s.) I promise it will make a huge difference. You will thank me and wonder why you waited so long. I received my 5″ Olfa scissors at the Sewing Summit last year and have LOVED them. I keep them by my machine, but I also take them with me on the road because they are small and portable, but super sharp and great for cutting fabric.

Seam Ripper. Who can’t use another seam ripper? I have multiple seam rippers located strategically throughout my house. My favorite is the Clover Seam Ripper

Clover Wonder Clips aka Binding Clips. I have seen and heard talk about these puppies for a long time and finally got some this fall. And I add my love to the love professed by others. They are so handy. And my family walks with much less trepidation and fear of a random pin in the carpet after I have bound a quilt. The one thing that held me back originally was the price, but I found them for a GREAT deal on amazon here.

Thread: some great thread options include Connecting Threads gift boxes or Aurifil Threads collections from Christa Quilts.

Fabric. Who can resist fabric. Precuts are a great option, but for me part of the fun of getting new fabric, is picking it out myself. I highly recommend Gift Certificates to fabric shops. Pretty much all of the online shops on my side bar (under Sponsors) or your local quilt shop will happily sell you or your loved one a gift certificate. Keep in mind – giving a gift certificate is not a cop out – it’s like giving a present twice. First when they receive it. Second when they use it to buy something they love!

Another fun thing for someone who is just getting started would be a membership in a monthly club from online shops such as Pink Castle Fabrics or Westwood Acres where they send you a bundle of fabrics in a new color each month. Perfect for stash building!

Books: There are a myriad of amazing quilting books right now. One of my favorite new books of the year, and one that is so perfect for gifting because it has so many possibilities, is 500 Quilt Blocks by Lynne Goldsworthy and Kerry Green.

A little pin cushion made from a small rice bowl is super easy. Or a bunch of these numbered labeling pins. An inexpensive but VERY useful gift. A friend recently sent me some and I LOVE THEM for keeping track of quilt rows, pieces, etc. There is a tutorial for making these quilt row markers here.