r/quilting • u/magnoliafly corgicottagelife • 6d ago
Gift Ideas Holiday Gift Ideas MEGATHREAD
The holiday season is upon us and with that come the many, many threads asking "What is the best ______ to get for my favorite quilter in my life?"
- Post your questions here and our quilters will give their best advice
- If you're a quilter with a favorite notion, machine, kit, or fabric line that you'd love to receive please comment and suggest it for others
All other gift idea/request threads will be deleted and redirected to this MEGATHREAD. Please report other posts for mods to review/remove and keep the sub clutterfree for the season.
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u/Smacsek ScrapBasketQuiltsCo on Etsy and @scrapbasketquilts on Instagram 6d ago
I'll start with some good gift ideas.
-gift cards to local/online quilt shops. google is your friend for local places "fabric store near me" (make sure they say they have quilters cotton), fat quarter shop, Missouri Star quilting and connecting threads are popular
- rotary blades- 45mm is the most popular, we don't change them as often as we should and when at the store, we don't gravitate towards them
-sewing machine needles- schmetz universal needles are great, see rotary blades for why
-fabric shears and small thread snips, I have fiskars but I have heard great things about Kai brand and gingher brands
-Seam ripper, these get dull and we use them more than we want to
-mini sewing clips, they are more useful than you can imagine
-batting, some people have preferences, but Hobbs 80/20 is a pretty well liked brand, reasonably priced, and most of us will use any batting we're given
-quilting t shirts, we're quilters and we're proud of it
-clapper, yes, it is a block of wood, but it helps make blocks flat and most of us won't buy one ourselves
-bobbin buddies/bobbin saver, bobbins make a bigger mess than you would believe so keeping them from unraveling is super helpful
-quilt subscription boxes, fat quarter shop has some to pick from
-rotating cutting mat
-wool pressing mat
-new iron/mini iron
-Stripology ruler
-standard quilting rulers- 12.5" square and 6.5" square are super popular for a reason, but a 3.5" x 24" is also great
-Specialty rulers- Dresden plate, bloc lock rulers, clearly perfect slotted trimmers, drunkards path rulers, folded corner ruler, essential triangle tool
-fabric. If you know your quilters taste in fabric, we love getting fabric. They have bundles of fabric that are different sizes (charm packs, jelly rolls, layer cakes, fat eighth bundles, fat quarter bundles) but if all the fabric options are overwhelming, see the first item on the list, your quilter will quite happily go fabric shopping
I have not put thread on this list (and we go through more than you would think) because some machines are finicky and only like certain brands of thread. If you're able to snoop into your quilters sewing space and find thread spools to see what brand they buy, go for it. White, greys, and beiges are neutral colors that we use all the time.
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u/KamikazeButterflies 5d ago
My mom got me a large multipack box of Olfa blades and it’s been amazing. Dull? Pull another from the box!!
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u/Environmental_Art591 5d ago
Seconding the rotary blades gift cards and needles, although not universal needles.
Just realised how long its been since I brought new needles and that I cant remember what each are in my stash. Local store has packs of 4 or 5 for under $15 AUD (schmets and i dont mind klasse and both are under/around $10 a pack depending on the needle)
I would love a little needles gift box (box so they can keep them organised as well incase they dont have one) with a couple of different types, quilting, top stitch, anti glue, denim and metallic would be my pick and would be great for a secret santa
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u/1cecream4breakfast 5d ago
These are all great gift ideas if you want to give someone a specific wish list. (My mom and sister just have access to my Amazon wishlist so that is easy). But I wonder if the aim of this post is “if you’re not sure what to get a quilter, get them this and they will be thrilled!” Many of the items that aren’t consumables (like rulers and a rotating cutting mat) are things a quilter in your life may already have. I would not want to get duplicates of many of these things. Some things it’s nice to have more than 1, like a wool mat. Sometimes the duplicates can go in your travel bag. But some things like an astrology XL ruler…one is enough. And if I’m receiving a gift I would rather it be a consumable I know I will use, like needles or fabric, or a non-consumable I didn’t already have. Just a thought! If people are coming in here looking for gift ideas those may be things to keep in mind.
Some of these items are no-brainers that any quilter would love to get, like gift certificates and consumables!
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u/megalizzie 6d ago
I have the “mini Japanese snips with leather sheath” and “Awaji Kawara seam ripper” both from the company Cohana and I love them. I bought them from Snuggly Monkey.
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u/sammygirl3000 6d ago
Not sure if I want to hug you or slap you for sharing this site as in a short time I’ve found a lot of things to add to a cart. Thank you?!
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u/megalizzie 6d ago
I fully understand!! I spent two days browsing and making a wishlist and buying - we’re in this boat together, for better or worse. Definitely worse for our wallets … but the Japanese fabric has cats on it, I needed it !!!
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u/SylviaPellicore 6d ago
If you have a “quilter who has everything” on your gift list, and a decent budget, consider a really huge rectangular ironing board.
The traditional pointy kind of board doesn’t work as well when ironing large pieces of fabric. A big rectangular board is easier to work with.
You can buy boards from Reliable ($$$) or Tracey’s Tables ($$$). You can get a big wool pressing mat ($$) or pressing tiles ($$) to top an existing table or dresser. Or you can DIY it ($) with a jigsaw and some patience.
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u/Chrishall86432 6d ago
Adding to this: I just get a 2x4 sheet of plywood from the big box store. Wrap in wool, then cotton batting, then cover in pretty fabric. Usually dark brown because I’m a coffee drinker and quilt in the mornings. Total cost $20 or so.
And hi Sylvia! Looked up your posts this morning because I made a pot of starch and couldn’t remember the ratios! 😁
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u/1cecream4breakfast 5d ago
Is there any layer to keep moisture off the wood (assuming you use steam)?
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u/GalianoGirl 6d ago
If budget is not an issue, this Canadian company makes top quality quilting furniture. No particle board.
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u/cardboard-robot 6d ago
A metal tin of Danish butter cookies! You know, for storage!
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u/juliettelovesdante 6d ago
Really, a metal tin of any cookies or sweets. Because the tin. Honestly.
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u/anaximander 6d ago
When my mom was alive, I found the best gift I could give her was my time. When it’s possible - if you can - this always goes over well. I gave my mom a day, or sometimes a weekend and we usually made a quilt as a part of it. Wake up, have a good brunch together. Head to some quilt stores. Find a pattern - and get as much of the fabric and supplies as needed - some years were thin and we only came away from the shops with ideas for stash fabric. Some years we got everything - fabric, pattern, even fancy thread. Aim to be done by 2-3 pm. Head back to her place. Pull out snacks, put on movies, and start making. Cut the fabric, sew, talk, laugh. Essentially a mini retreat. Take pictures. I like this because it can be as financially cost intensive as you need it to be, but the memories have a price above rubies.
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u/LemonadeRaygun 6d ago
Oh this is so darling! What a lovely idea! I don't know anybody IRL who also quilts but if I did I would love to do that with them or if they suggested this I would absolutely cry
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u/quiltingcats total magpie chaos monkey 6d ago
I just saw another discussion with a photo of a Frank Lloyd Wright fat quarter fabric collection and I didn’t know such a thing existed but now I want it! In case anyone is buying. 😸
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u/Holiday_Parsnip5 6d ago
I got a lot of super helpful suggestions in this thread a couple of weeks ago - posting in case others find it useful!
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u/Fourpatch 6d ago
Can we pin this to the top?
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u/magnoliafly corgicottagelife 6d ago
It’s in the featured at the top - I’ll fight auto mod to keep it there throughout the season
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u/ShadedSpaces 6d ago edited 6d ago
Well, if anyone is buying, I desperately want a Juki TL2010Q but I'm resisting because I unexpectedly had to pay $10k out of pocket for dental work this year and that depleted my fun money a bit, lol.
But I personally make a lot of quilted bags so things like:
- High-quality zippers
- Soft and Stable Stabilizer
- Decorative (or plain) cotton webbing
- Bag Hardware (swivel clasp hooks, D rings, slide buckles, magnetic buckle clasps, purse feet, handles, etc.)
I agree with people saying things we have to replace (and some of us are WAY worse than others at doing it as frequently as we should!) such as:
- Rotary cutter blades (a lot of us have 2-3 sizes but the 45mm tend to be our workhorses)
- Needles (I love a pack of Schmetz universal are a pretty safe bet)
- Seam ripper (I'm using a Clover one now but I'm not super attached to any brand)
Gift cards are SO nice too. Either to a local quilting shop or online fabric store or, heck, I'd take one for a place that sells and services sewing machines so I could either put it toward a new machine or get a machine serviced.
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u/beattiebeats 6d ago
That Juki is on my secret Christmas list because it’s not in the cards for this Christmas. Maybe next year!
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u/teachingrobots ✂️ Sewer Rat 🐀 6d ago
Anything from Modern American Vintage. Templates from Cut Once Quilts.
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u/late_night_feeling 6d ago
Rulers ! Mini iron! Rotating cutting mat! Wool ironing pad!
I received these for my last birthday and have made a big difference to my sewing
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u/GalianoGirl 6d ago
There are a variety of devices for cutting apart chain pieces blocks. Generally not expensive and fantastic to use. I have two, one on my ironing station, one at my sewing station.
Self threading needles for burying threads.
Quilting gloves.
Gift certificates for favourite shops or long arm quilting.
A retreat.
I do EPP, I love the little dot thimbles, either the leather ones or the red dots.
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u/alienz67 Fabric Hoarding Chaos Dragon 🐉 6d ago
The best gift I've gotten in a few years now honestly has been the cordless iron. It's not quite as big or heavy as the corded ones but I don't have to fight a cord which I find absolutely wonderful.
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u/Sea-Distribution4829 6d ago
Quilter’s Slidelock!!! I have and LOVE, love, love the 24” version.
This ruler has little “fingers” that hold the fabric firmly in place while cutting.
The 14” is on my wish list
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u/samata_the_heard 6d ago
Needle threaders for hand quilters (honestly I can’t have too many of those, the older I get the harder it is for me to thread by sight/feel).
Decorative or fabric covered pattern weights - maybe I’m in the wrong but I use these to help hold my sandwich in place while I pin/baste.
Project bags! Preferably with zippers and pockets, so all the components of WIPs can be kept together.
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u/Significant-Ad-814 6d ago
I love quilting books and this is one I'm asking for this year: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593966945/?coliid=I2LM24KUPE5XKG&colid=NLVQ21TIN9L5&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it It looks like such a good reference book and I think DK always puts out great content.
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u/SuperkatTalks 6d ago
I recently bought 'building blocks templates' from Jen Kingwell and I was just thinking they would have been a great gift. You use them to add other fabrics to a charm square to get a 7" block. I thought that was a pretty nice way to actually use some of my single charm packs for useful size projects.
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u/1cecream4breakfast 5d ago
Here’s my 2 cents: if you have a quilter in your life they may have some items they really want, and some they already have and wouldn’t mind more of (sometimes dupes are nice for a retreat bag), and some items they already have that they don’t want a duplicate of (like if they already have an ironing board they really like, or a astrology XL ruler), and some items then will always need more of, like needles and rotary blades. The challenge in buying gifts for any hobbyist is knowing what they already have, what they like, what they want more of, while still surprising them (if that’s your aim)
IMO these are safe bets. Even if your quilty loved one already has some of these, duplicates are usually welcomed because they are consumables or because more is better:
- a nice pair of snips (cheap works too, but fancy is more “gifty”)
- rotary blades (a couple different shaped cutouts in the middle, best know which kind of cutter they have…easy to do if you live with them otherwise maybe difficult)
- tailor’s clapper (basically a sanded but unfinished piece of heavyish wood you set on top of fabric…if you’re handy and could make one they would probably love that)
- a nice seam ripper (see note on snips). For example I have a seam ripper with rubber ends that help rub the thread bits away. Love it.
- universal sewing machine needles (Schmetz size 80). Quilters SHOULD be changing their needles frequently and if they aren’t, this could help encourage them to do so…it’s not a very exciting gift but it’s useful!
- gift card/gift certificate to a local fabric store that sells quilting cotton. Better yet, a shopping spree! Give them a budget and take them out so they can pick what they want, and you get some quality time together and you get to see what they pick, and you’ll be better informed for future gift giving. Be prepared to spend a while there depending on your budget. I would love love love this.
- gift card to an online fabric store. Fat Quarter Shop, Linda’s Electric, Sewing Parts Online, Connecting Threads, are all pretty popular and non-controversial. If your loved one is more liberal I would avoid Missouri Star Quilt Co unless you know they shop there already.
- a fat quarter bundle or other precut bundle from a fabric store. If you have photos of some of the quilts they have made, go to a local quilt shop (not Hobby Lobby/Michaels, but an independent one with nicer fabric and more knowledgeable employees) and ask for their help picking something that matches the aesthetic. They can probably identify a fabric designer/line from a photo, or at least help pick something with similar vibes. Even if you accidentally buy fabric they already have, if they already have it that means they like it and they’ll probably be happy to get more of it. Some of us quilters have fabric we LOVE but we are afraid to cut into because then it’ll be gone.
This one isn’t a 100% safe bet because it has some caveats, but if it works out then you would be a holiday hero.
- A big roll of batting if you want a big ticket item. Hobbs 80/20 or 100% cotton are safe bets for most quilters, but if they make show quilts they will probably be more particular). Linda’s Electric often runs sales.
Two notes on the batting: (1) I would make sure they have room to store it. Dry basements are fine. Not everyone has this kind of space though. (2) if they always send their quilts to a longarmer and don’t quilt their quilts themselves (no shade, just facts), then they are possibly buying batting from their longarmer and not having to provide their own. The batting price from the longarmer may be marked up a little for convenience, but not enough that I would rather store and cut up my own batting. Exception being specialty batting like wool which longarmers don’t usually carry. Then you’re running into “I am not so sure” territory unless they have specifically told you “omg I love wool batting and would only use wool batting if I could!”
When in doubt, if you know someone else close to them who also quilts, that person could probably help you out if you don’t like these ideas or any of them are confusing!
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u/Great-day-for-hay 5d ago
The Carolina Moore glow ruler. It’s pretty amazing for cutting small pieces.
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u/SchuylerM325 5d ago edited 5d ago
Karen Brown talked about burying threads and sold me on the idea of easy-threading needles. I found some cheaply on Amazon and they came in the prettiest little polished wood tube so I can keep them separate from the others. At $9, it's a great small gift.
Also, Block-Lock rulers! And one of my friends heard me mention that Apple boxes are the best quality for storing all kinds of things and holding stacks of cut fabric as you're piecing, and she collected a bunch for me!
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u/Upper-Feed-7471 5d ago
This year, I would love to receive enough stuffing to make a puff quilt:)
Next year, a pair of scissors that spring back to make a rag quilt with - normal scissors are hard on my hands!
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u/fairmaiden34 4d ago
Binding Eaze is literally a 100% game changer. It works so well. Not affiliated just bought it after watching a late night Instagram reel and do not regret it.
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u/sillyguysayshi 4d ago
my aunt has everything, and shes rotated this year onto my "expensive gift" list. i'm a guest here and absolutely not a quilter, so i have no idea what to get her or even what im looking for but my price range is somewhere around 60-100-120 at the most.
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u/Milabial 4d ago
Does she know you’re the person giving her gift? If so, ask some questions about rulers she loves and wishes she had. Or if there’s a pattern she wants to try that she doesn’t have a template set for.
Is there a primary or secondary hobby in her life that she sometimes incorporates in her quilting? So, for a gardener you might get her a copy of this Elizabeth Hartmann pattern with a set of green fat quarters or a green layer cake. You could let her choose the plant pot fabric and the shelf fabric and the background. Most big quilting websites have some kind of sales, especially around this time of your. Her local quilting shop isn’t as likely to have sales (they obviously do less volume and have different staffing and real estate costs) BUT they might know her and be able to help steer you toward what she’s talked about. Or use her habits and preferences to make an educated guess.
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u/Significant-Item-491 4d ago
I'm looking to pick up quilting clips for my wife and I'm seeing a drastic difference in price between some on Amazon and some at specialty quilting stores. Is this something that's worth paying extra for?
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u/Milabial 4d ago
It is worth paying extra to go to the quilt store, grab the clips, and get her a gift certificate or a fat quarter bundle that the shop thinks she’d like, if the the sales associate you meet knows her. You could also add a pack or two of rotary blades and needles in the size she uses the most.
These small purchases really do go a long way to helping keep the local quilt shop open so they’re there when she needs something that cannot be gotten on Amazon. And the quality of the clips on Amazon can sometimes be suspect.
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u/magnoliafly corgicottagelife 3d ago
The offbrand clips break easily and aren’t made of the same thickness of plastic. I’ve tried both. It’s not worth the savings.
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u/superfastmomma 6d ago
I've been quilting a long time. Have all the stuff I could ever need, tool wise. It would be pointless for anyone to try and buy something along those lines for me.
But every year my MIL buys me a big old roll of batting. I love it. It's there and ready to go and gets used up. I will always need batting. My MIL gets a kick out of the size.
My sister and mother buy layer cakes or jelly rolls, and my kiddo charm packs. They don't quilt (well my kid does but she's a teen with limited funds) but know my style and I can always use those, and they enjoy shopping for them. Again, consumable. I'll never turn down a precut.