• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Diary of a Quilter - a quilt blog
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Tutorials
  • My Quilts
  • Shop
  • Favorite Supplies
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Tutorials
  • My Quilts
  • Shop
  • Favorite Supplies
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Start Here
    • Tutorials
    • My Quilts
    • Shop
    • Favorite Supplies
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Blog » gift ideas

    Handmade Gift Ideas for Quilters and Friends Who Sew

    November 6, 2021 by Amy 4 Comments

    As quilters yourselves, you already know that it’s a lot of fun to make a sweet little gift for other friends who sew. Now is a great time to get a head start on Christmas gifts for friends who quilt! For a while now, I’ve been gathering and updating a variety of handmade gift ideas ranging from large and elaborate for that special someone, to quick and simple projects that you can mass produce all at once for a group of stitch-loving friends.

    This list is geared specifically toward other people who love to sew, but I have another list of Handmade Gift Ideas for anyone here.

    Pin Cushion Tutorials

    One of my favorite personal gifts to make OR receive is a sweet, custom handmade pin cushion. Here are 14 of my favorite tutorials or patterns for unique pin cushions:

    Pin Cushion tutorials - perfect gifts for friends who sew

    • Simple Sprocket pin cushion by Sedef Imer (quick and cute!)
    • Scrappy-Strip pin cushion by Ameroonie Designs
    • Long, scrappy sewing room pin cushion by Jeni Baker
    • This Sit and Sew modern pin cushion pattern has a hanging pocket for keeping notions and tools handy too!
    • Mini 9-patch pin cushions by Amanda Jean (who is always making inspiring pincushions – see a ton more pincushion inspiration here.)
    • Patchwork Pocket Pin cushion from the Polkadot Chair
    • Retro Mama’s Stuffed Apple
    • Mini dresden made by Fabric Mutt (pattern here)
      Not pictured:
    • Modern Handcraft’s mini hexies using wool!
    • Applique Wool pincushions are simple and quick to make
    • Little House softie from Retro Mama
    • Traditional Economy block pincushions here
    • adorable Wool Mice
    • Sewing-machine art with Minki Kim
    • I have dozens more pincushion ideas on this Pincushion Pinterest Board

    Sewing Machine Cover tutorials - perfect for a gift idea for quilters

    Sewing Machine Cover (or Mat) Tutorials:

    Sewing Machine covers or sewing mat’s (especially ones with pockets for storage and organization) are a great gift that’s both useful and a fun way to make a sewing room look pretty. Here’s a few different ideas ranging from basic patchwork to much more elaborate (clockwise from top):

    • Flowers and Flamingos from Bev at Flamingo Toes
    • Undercover Mat by LillyElla Stitchery
    • Caravan Sewing machine cover designed by Rainbow Hare
    • Basic Patchwork cover from Sew Delicious
    • See Kate Sew has a simple Sewing Machine Mat – with pockets – tutorial that can also be cut using a Cricut Maker.

    Thread Catcher, pincushion and sewing organizer tutorials for friends who sew

    Thread catchers and organizer tutorials

    Thread catchers are always so handy for keeping things neat and tidy around your sewing machine. They’re perfect for catching trimmed threads or leftover fabric scraps. Here are a few tutorials and patterns (starting at the top and going clockwise):

    • Pixie Basket by Heidi Staples
    • The Sew Sassy Thread Catcher by Curry Bungalow
    • Little Hexie Thread Catcher by Cornbread and Beans Quilting
    • Pincushion Organizer tutorial by Elizabeth Hartman
    • Thread Catcher tutorial by the Sewing Chick (one of my all-time favorites)

    Handmade Needle Book tutorials - perfect gift for a friend who sews

    Needle books

    Needle books are adorable and so fun to personalize with fussy-cut prints. Here are a few super-sweet tutorials:

    • Pocket Mending Book Tutorial from Fabric Mutt
    • Fabric Covered Needle Card by Sedef Imer
    • Nana Company little books and original Needle Book tutorial
    • Stitch On needle book tutorial from Flamingo Toes
    • Similar, but slightly different: Stationary Kit tutorial from Fabric Mutt

     

     

     

    Other practical Handmade Gifts for friends who Sew

    Liberty of London + Spool Key Fob tutorial

    These Spool Key Fobs (or key ring) would be easy to mass-produce for friends who love fabric and sewing.

    Magnetic pin bowls are so handy to have in the sewing room.  You can buy ready-made  magnetic pinbowls here or other custom pin bowl designs on Etsy (so many cute options!)

    Or here’s a tutorial to Make Your Own Magnetic Pinbowl using any sweet little bowl you have on hand. A cute vintage tea-cup or Asian rice bowl would work great. I even found some cute mini bowls designed by the Pioneer Woman for a great price in the dishes aisle at Walmart.

    Numbered Marking Pins tutorial - make your own - gift ideas for quilters

    One of my favorite ever quilting-related gifts was a set of numbered marking pins. I use mine ALL the time for marking rows and keeping in order rows that need to be sewn together. Mine were made by Nancy and she has a tutorial for making these quilt row markers here. If time is not on your side, you can also buy a set of Marilee’s Numbered Pins.

    Another useful gift for a quilting friend are these super handy mini design boards. My friend Emily made me some and I’ve LOVED them – I use them all of the time.  They’re perfect of laying out quilt blocks, auditioning fabric, or just keeping your pieces in place until you’re ready to sew.

    Lori Holt has a tutorial to make your own Design Board (mine don’t have the decorative border, which is fine with me) or this video tutorial if you like the extra visuals. You can also buy Lori’s Design Boards ready made here in multiple sizes.

    Another idea is to make (or buy) a full design wall. I LOVE and use my design wall every day. It has grommets and hangs next to my sewing table, but is easy to take down when needed. I have the Fons and Porter Design Wall which you can find at Joann’s or Amazon.

    You could also make one yourself! Suzy Quilts has a list of great ideas for making your own Design Wall.

    Handmade Gift Ideas for quilters and friends who sew

    So there’s a whole bunch of gift ideas to make for friends who sew – lots to get your creative juices flowing. Handmade gifts are some of the sweetest I’ve received – and a sentimental reminder of a quilty-friendship too. ❤ Other makers always value the sentiment of a handmade gift. And remember, they don’t need to be perfect. 

    Ideas for last minute Handmade gifts to sew for friends and family

    Click here you’re looking for more generalized last minute Handmade Gift ideas for friends, family, teachers, neighbors, etc for lots projects to make ahead for Christmas.

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to print (Opens in new window)

    Related

    « A Super Size Union Jack Quilt
    A Little Jaunt to London »

    Filed Under: gift ideas, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: gifts for quilters

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erica Fleisig

      November 07, 2021 at 7:32 am

      Hi! I had success making numbered/lettered pins by using rubber earring backings to secure the number/letter bead on the pin instead of glue/smaller beads. Works like a charm! I posted these to my Instagram @efleisig, in a cute needle book.

      Reply
      • Amy

        November 07, 2021 at 9:33 pm

        That is genius! What a great idea.

        Reply
    2. The Joyful Quilter

      November 07, 2021 at 10:41 am

      What a great gift round-up, Amy! Thanks for putting this together for us.

      Reply
    3. Shannon

      February 24, 2022 at 6:22 am

      Thank you so much for including my Sit ‘N Sew Pincushion in your roundup, Amy!!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    amy smart headshot

    My name is Amy Smart and I'm a quilter, pattern and fabric designer, wife & mom. Excited to have you here!

    Let's Sew →

    THE PERFECT PLACE TO START

    CHECK OUT MY

    I Sew With

    Baby Lock Sewing Machines

    Favorite Fabric Shops

    Come Sew With Me – Craftsy Class

    Pre-cuts Shortcuts Video Craftsy Class with Amy Smartma

    Top Posts & Pages

    • Diary of a Quilter by Amy Smart - a Quilt blog
    • Quilts Gifted + Seasons of Life
    • Lattice Baby Quilt Tutorial
    • Patriotic Quilting and Sewing Projects for the 4th of July
    • Tutorials
    • 25 Favorite Charm Square Quilts & Projects
    • Fast Four Patch Quilt Tutorial
    • Sorting, Saving, and Using Fabric Scraps
    • Subscriber Confirmation
    • How to Make a Manx Quilt Block
    Tips for Choosing Fabric for a Quilt
    How to Choose a Sewing Machine for Quilting, tips featured by top US quilting blogger, Diary of a Quilter
    Patchwork on Point Crib Quilt Tutorial

    Star Baby Quilt Tutorial

    Star Baby Quilt Tutorial
    Fast Shortcuts to make multiple Half-Square Triangles

    My Riley Blake Fabric Collections

    Categories

    Social

    • Facebook
    • Flickr
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS

    More of Me

     photo splendid_button_4 1.jpg
     photo Babylock_Logo_300x150.png imanauthor
     
    Follow

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up HERE! for weekly emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ

    This site uses affiliate links:

    I make a small commission on some purchases with no additional cost to the reader.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Diary of a Quilter - a quilt blog