Get your holiday shopping all sewn up with these fantastic finds for sewing enthusiasts. This gift guide includes gift ideas for sewers (also known as sewists) of all types, including quilters! I’ve included gifts for a broad range of budgets, from under $10 to over $500, so you’re sure to find something perfect.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Many of the products listed in this guide were provided to me for free. Although I accept free products for review, I do not guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.
Gift Ideas for Sewers, Sewists, and Quilters
Gift Guide by Underground Crafter
I’ve organized this gift guide into three sections: Gift Ideas for New Sewers, Gift Ideas for Experienced Sewists, and Gift Ideas for Quilters. Each list has gift ideas to fit every budget, from under $10 to over $100. Enjoy!
Gift Ideas for New Sewers
If you have a friend or family member who is just learning to sew, here are my suggestions for the must-have items every sewist needs.
Sewing machine
Most new sewists have a lot of enthusiasm, but choosing your first sewing machine can be daunting. I love my Baby Lock Jubilant (you can read my review here), but if that’s not in your budget, I recommend any machine in the Baby Lock Genuine Collection.
I’ve been sewing with Baby Lock machines since 2005, and the Genuine Collection machines are affordably priced and designed with new sewists in mind. You can shop the Genuine Collection – currently up to 50% off and including a machine tote + 60 days of free online sewing classes – at SewingMachinesPlus.
Basic sewing supplies
New sewists rarely have all the basics. Buy one of these, or put together a kit of basic sewing supplies. Here are a few must-haves:
- Seam Ripper: The unfortunate truth is that we always make mistakes sewing. The Clover Seam Ripper is my favorite one to use when I have to backtrack. Buy on SewingMachinesPlus | Bluprint | Amazon
- Thread Snips: These portable snips trim away the excess thread at the beginning and end of projects. I like the Omnigrid Thread Snips with a protective cover to keep fingers safe. Buy on SewingMachinesPlus | Amazon
- Wonder Clips: Most sewists already have pins in their collections, but newbies may not yet know about Clover Wonder Clips. These are a great alternative to pins, and they are cute, too! Buy on SewingMachinesPlus | Bluprint | Amazon
- Mini Iron with Pressing Mat: Sewing means ironing, but if your friend doesn’t have a lot of space, a full iron and ironing board can be a burden. I use the Oliso Mini Iron with a wool pressing mat on my table top.
- Sewing reference books: There are quite a few references books available that can help out in a sewing crisis including Debbie Shore’s Sewing Room Secrets: Machine Sewing by Debbie Shore, A Beginner’s Guide to Machine Sewing by Clementine Collinet, and First Time Sewing: The Absolute Beginner’s Guide by Creative Publishing International.
- Online sewing classes: Bluprint has several sewing classes for beginners including the Sewing Startup Library, 40 Techniques Every Sewer Should Know, and Sewing Mistakes: What Can Go Wrong and How To Make It Right, and others. Simple Sewing Projects for Beginners on CreativeLive is another option, or you can gift a subscription to Creativebug, which has over 60 beginner sewing classes.
Gift Ideas for Experienced Sewists
It may seem hard to find the perfect gift for a sewer with lots of experience (and supplies!), but here are a few options to make them happy.
- Personalized project bags. Kelly Connor Designs, a long time supporter of the Holiday Stashdown Crochet Alongs, has several options in the Etsy shop, including the project bag, the large fabric stash bag, and the small sewing pouch.
- Funny sewing totes. Black Typographic on Etsy has dozens of totes with funny sewing sayings to choose from.
- Sewing mugs. If your sewing friend also loves coffee or tea, a sewing mug can make a great gift.
- Fabric: Fact: All sewists love fabric. The best option is a gift certificate from their favorite fabric shop, but if you’re not sure where that is or what type of sewing your loved one does, try a gift card to JOANN or Spoonflower.
- Thimbles: Most sewists will occasionally need a thimble, and some collect them. Find something unique locally, or shop for a handmade thimble collectible on Etsy.
- A serious pair of fabric shears. I used Kai fabric scissors for the first time this year, and all I can say is wow.
- Cricut Maker. If you have the budget for it, I can’t think of a single sewist who wouldn’t be excited to have a Cricut Maker to help with fabric cutting. You can find out more about why I love the Maker in this blog post.
Gift Ideas for Quilters
You will know your loved one is a quilter if they can’t stop making quilts, talking about quilts, or gifting you quilts. While quilters will love all the gifts I mention above, quilters have some specific needs so I’ve made them an additional list.
Portable Sewing Machine
If your favorite quilter likes to take classes or attend guild meetings, a portable sewing machine can make that much easier. Several machines in the Baby Lock Genuine Collection are under 15 pounds, including my current sewing machine, the Baby Lock Jubilant, and the more affordable Zest, Joy, and Zeal models.
Subscription Boxes
Subscription boxes are the gift that keep on giving. Here are several that quilters would love.
- Darn Good Yarn’s Fabric of the Month Club includes hand-dyed, cotton fat quarters, patterns, and sari ribbons that can be used for embellishments and finishing.
- Fat Quarter Shop has several quilt-related subscription boxes, including a Pin Lover’s Club and a Button Lover’s Club by Just Another Button Company.
- Quilty Box subscriptions come with premium fabrics, three patterns, and an exclusive magazine. These subscriptions are available in three options: Classic, English Paper Piecing, and Mini.
Interesting Quilting Tools
While at Quilt Market in October, I was able to see several fun tools first hand. These would all make great gifts for a quilter.
- Clover Trace ‘n Create Quilt Templates (Carefree Curves Collection) makes it easy to sew amazing circles, half circles, and quarter circles without curved piecing.
- Clover No-Hassles Triangles Gauge makes cutting 1/2 square and 1/4 square triangles easy.
- Franklin Quilt Company Shortcut Binding Tool makes it easy to cut the strips for your binding for machine sewing.
Quilting Books
Many quilters, myself included, love a good book for inspiration or to learn a new technique. I’ve included some of my favorites available on Amazon below.
I think I’ve covered all the basics and the extras and a broad range of prices. If you have other suggestions, let me know in the comments!