Gifts for People Who Sew; 2015

Do you know someone who enjoys sewing? Do you want to give them a gift? Do you want to give them a gift they will use? Do you need some ideas to point you in the right direction?

I’ve been sewing (of my own choosing) for many, many years and maybe the things I want are some of the same things your special sewer wants. Here’s my sewing wish list (I’ve included links where I could to give you an idea of price or more information or as some where to order from.)

I have a few rulers for cutting but I find that one is too short, one is too flimsy to put a rotary cutter up against and one is yellowing from age and getting harder to read. This year I really want a 6″ x 24″ clear ruler that’s sturdy enough for rotary cutting. I don’t quilt (if I did I’d already have one of these work horses) but I still need to cut straight lines or strips of fabric on many occasions. Twenty-four inches is the length I need.

Speaking of cutting; this past year I’ve switched over, almost exclusively, to using a rotary cutter for cutting out my fabric. I have the cutting mats, I made the pattern weights, and I have a rotary cutter but I really would love an ergonomically designed rotary cutter. Cutting out a garment is the worse part of sewing it so I want it to be as easy and enjoyable as possible and no sore wrist.

That said, a rotary cutter, no matter how comfortable in your hand, can’t do everything a pair of scissors can. And different size scissors are needed for different task. Like screw drivers and wrenches, scissors come in different sizes for a reason. I have a large dressmaking pair and I have a small, slim pair for trimming, notching, clipping etc. My small pair is okay for what I paid for them but they recently got a nick in them (who borrowed my scissors?) and basically I want to upgrade. I have my eye on a pair of Kai 6 1/2-inch shears. I tried out a pair of Kai shears at a hat making workshop and they were wonderful; nice weight, comfortable handle, smooth movement. However a lot of folks like the Gingher 5-inch scissors which would also trim and clip nicely. Two choices, same purpose.

Inspiration is always a gift. Sometimes it’s free and divine and sometimes it comes from a magazine or book. I have a subscription to two sewing magazines and two fashion magazines (to stay knowledgeable on silhouettes, color trends and designers). Take a trip to Barnes and Nobel and look at the sewing magazines to find one you think your sewer would enjoy and give them a subscription (buy the magazine to give them something to open but fill out the card and send it in to subscribe). I sew apparel and I get Threads and Burda but there are others.

Sometimes my kids give me a couple single issues of magazines I don’t subscribe to for a little variety. This year I got a Vogue from my birth year (it’s old). I especially like the fashion collection “books” put out twice a year (the fall winter collections and the spring collections). They feature all the big design houses and some smaller designers’ current collection in a series of photos taken of the runway shows.

I buy sewing books from my local used bookstore when ever I see one (or two) that look good. There are general reference sewing books which are geared toward a particular sewing level; the complete beginner or for the advanced. The title may clue you in to the level it’s aiming at (if the word “Couture” is in the title it’s for the advanced sewer) but be sure to look at the book in person or read reviews online to find a good match for your sewer. Many sewers (me) enjoy the project based books; a book full of sewing projects tied together, loosely sometimes, with a theme. I am over the simple tote bag, baby sundress and patch work picnic blanket so I want books on interesting clothes and handbags. (I’ve listed some titles at the end of this post). again, try to look at the book.

Supplies can also bring inspiration. A few fat quarters in your sewers favorite color from the local fabric store can be made into a bag, a pocket, bias binding, and many crafty items.

And then there is joy in the little things. I would love a pack of new needles (sharps) or a chaco liner (for marking fabric), a few spools of thread in my most used colors (saving me a future trip to the store) and please some extra bobbins that fit my machine.

There’s also the sewing related non sewing items like these vintage patterns note cards I got for my birthday (thank you, Aunt Jane). I’ve seen sewing themed calendars too.

But here’s the real thing about sewers. People who sew are creative. They may be crazy creative and make wild, out there, clothing or they may be less risk taking and always follow a pattern. Either type they get pleasure from making things. Chances are your sewer makes other, non fabric, things too. Maybe they cook, bake, weave, knit, write, paint, decorate, garden or maybe they don’t but they’re interested in learning how to create in other mediums. You could indulge their creative curiosity with felting supplies, a silk screen, a keyboard, a tripod. Something they haven’t yet given themselves permission to spend money or time on.

Give them permission to explore. Take them to a craft show, an art museum, a studio walk/tour. Give them time to look around in the fabric or craft store, on the computer and time to day dream. Encourage them to take a class in anything “just for fun”. Give them your support and you may just get a handmade something or other, with extra love, from them.