I meant to post this a while ago & honestly things have just been too busy around here! But with everyone looking for last minute gifts & stocking stuffers I think this is still a great time to post my list of sewing related gift ideas. So if you are new to sewing, know someone who is, or just know someone who could use some new tools these are great basics with most being under $5 or $10!
EXTRA LONG STICK PINS WITH THE BALL ON THE END ~Yes the extra long pins with the balls on the end ARE WORTH THE EXTRA BUCK OR TWO!!!!
CLOTH MEASURING TAPES ~This is just one of those things that you can never seem to have enough of! They are inexpensive and seem to walk away a lot, so I always appreciate having a few extra’s on hand.
A REAL SEAM RIPPER ~ The ‘thing’ that comes with the sewing machine is not a real seam ripper. I HATED ripping seams until I got one of these clover ones. There is simply no comparison. There are a bunch that range from $2-$8, this one is right in the middle & the best by far!!!Clover Seam Ripper 5″ 
GOOD SCISSORS ~ I have been VERY happy with the Mundial set my DH got me off Amazon 6 years ago. All but one pair is still sharp as new & I have never had any of them sharpened. Mundial Scissors & Shears
WASHABLE CRAYOLA MARKERS ~ I actually suggest skipping the fabric pens/pencils, I don’t care for them, they are pricey don’t always do what they say & dry out easily. I LOVE washable crayola markers because I KNOW they will wash out with a little cold water. I also really like my Dritz chalk wheel it’s worth the few extra dollars for this one… Dritz Chalk Wheel
ROTARY MAT, CUTTER & RULER~ I also cannot live with out my rotary mat & cutter. I prefer the Omnigrid brand self healing mats but the Friskers kits are great for starters or those on a budget! JoAnn’s has one that goes on sale for $27-$35 all the time that has an 18″X24″ mat, a 45mm rotary cutter as well as a 6″X24″ quilting ruler… I highly recommend this for beginners. You can get all 3 pieces from walmart for around $50 I think? Or on Amazon for $28 & free/prime shipping. But if you get one of them you really need all 3.
HEM GAUGE~
And this Dritz hem gauge is also awesome & makes sewing hems SO much easier… Dritz Ezy-Hem Gauge
MAGNETIC PIN CUSHION~ Also a magnetic pin cushion is AWESOME!!! I prefer the magnetic bowls from the automotive section because the magnets are stronger.
PATTERN EASE, SWEDISH TRACING PAPER OR PARCHEMENT PAPER~ I almost NEVER cut tissue paper patterns. I you use pattern ease, Swedish tracing paper or parchment paper you can see through it to trace out the size you need saving your other sizes and they are easier to work with then the tissue paper pattern pieces!
PATTERN WEIGHTS~ These making tracing and/or cutting out pattern pieces much easier! You can pin them but that leaves holes & they can rip loose. Honestly you can use just about any kind of small weighted items… which makes them easy to make or you can buy them as well.
STEAM IRON & IRONING BOARD~ Now iron’s are another one of those tools, you get what you pay for! You want a good steam iron… I always had cheap ones (the most expensive was around $27 new?) and HATED ironing… they kinda did their job but not super well. Then one day I stumbled upon a Rowenta Professional that was only about 1 year old at the thrift store… I can say it changed my opinion on irons & ironing the very first time I used it! It got FAR hotter then my old irons, but not scorch the fabric hot, and the steam was amazing. Suddenly ironing took little effort & got done much faster! Models are changing constantly & I don’t have feedback on the newer ones but I suggest doing some research & buying a steam iron with good reviews in the $40-$70 range if possible.
GIFT CARDS~GC’s to JoAnn’s, Fabric.com or other fabric stores as well as places like Craftsy, Etsy & more of course!
One Response
Carla
All great ideas. In fact I found some of those ideas in my stocking this year.
Hope you had an awesome Christmas!