Leah’s Quirky Gift Guide for Sewists
It’s just about the holidays, and you may be thinking of getting your sewing friend or family member some sewing related gifts. This guide is a range of suggestions, from my tried & true haberdashery to sewing related board games and movies! If you’re looking for a quirky & fun sewing gift guide, look no further!
Haberdashery
Clover Extra Fine Pins
These pins are my absolute favourite—especially for fine fabrics. These pins are perfect for fine knits, and fine woven fabrics like silk. They’re glass-headed, which means if the iron accidentally bumps them, they won’t melt. Because these pins are so fine, they are best for lighter weight projects (not coats, for example, where they would bend). Anytime my project uses any special fabric I reach for these pins. I think they’d make a great stocking stuffer.
Available: Sewing centres & Amazon
Clover Pen Style Chaco Liner
This pen style chalk liner is so amazing that I have three colours! The pen style makes it easy to hold and use, and the chalk applies easily and smoothly without stretching or tugging at the fabric.
Available: Sewing centres & Amazon
Books, Movies & Board Games
The Sewtionary, by Tasia St. Germaine
This book is an invaluable resource for anyone who loves garment sewing. The book is a dictionary of sewing terms, hence Sewtionary. The explanations are clear, and the photos are very detailed and helpful. This book comes in very handy when a pattern instruction is lacking, or when sewing with Burda patterns.
Available: Bookstores & Amazon
The Palmer Pletsch Guide to Fitting by Pati Palmer and Maria Alto
I do not own this book, but it is on my wish list. I have done a class in tissue-fitting pants (using the Palmer-Pletsch method), and the skills I learned in that class were invaluable as a garment sewist, who does frequent grading adjustments to patterns. This book guides you through fitting for your body, and along the way provides an explanation of the tissue-fitting method.
Available: Bookstores, Palmer Pletsch Website & Amazon
https://www.palmerpletsch.com/product/palmer-pletsch-complete-guide-fitting/
The Readers Digest Complete Guide to Sewing
This is a classic; it is a great resource about all things sewing. I have the original version that I purchased from a sewing teacher who would buy them at garage sales & thrift stores and then resell them to her students. She swore by this book, and it is a helpful resource. There is a newly updated version, but I haven’t personally used it.
Available: The original edition is available at thrift stores, used bookstores, & charity book sales. You can buy it on Amazon, but it is way too over-priced for me to recommend that.
The new edition is available from bookstores & Amazon.
Burda Style Magazine Subscription
I love Burda Style magazine, and, when I received the subscription a few years ago, not having to search the city for it every month was a real plus!
To order, view the contents page of the magazine for instructions on how to order in your region.
Typo Journals, especially when Personalisation is offered
I love most of the Typo Journals, and I especially love the glittery ones. A few years ago, I bought one of my favourites and had it personalised with my name. It’s now my sewing journal, where I write brief recaps of my projects or pattern testing notes.
Available: Typo Stores
The Dressmaker
There are very few movies related to sewing, and this one weaves together quite a compelling and surprising tale.
Available: JBHiFi, Big W, Target, & Amazon
Ladies in Black
Definitely on the lighter side, but none-the-less a good period movie that centres around the women who work in a women’s clothing department in a department store. The movie offers an interesting glimpse into post-war Australia. While it isn’t sewing related, most sewists can appreciate the fashion element of the film.
Available: JBHiFi, Big W, Target, & Amazon
Patchwork
This board game is kind of like two player Tetris, except that you’re building a patchwork quilt. I love this game, because it’s simple and fun. It doesn’t take forever to play, and is designed for two players, which isn’t common in board games.
Available: Board Game Stores & Amazon
Miscellaneous
Madalynne Lingerie Kits
These are comprehensive lingerie making kits that take the guess work out of finding beautiful & high quality lingerie supplies. They make a great gift, as they include all the supplies you need to make a project, and many of Madalynne’s patterns are free!
Available: Madalynne’s website
Body Shop Hand Cream & Hemp Hand Protector
I use both of these hand creams in tandem to help prevent my dry hands from snagging fabric. When I’m sewing, I use the regular hand cream, as it absorbs almost instantly. When I use it, I never have greasy paw prints on my fabric.
When I’m not sewing, I use the hemp hand protector to really repair my peeling & cracking hands. You do not want to use this while sewing, as it will leave grease marks on your fabric.
If you are buying this for a gift after Christmas, or for yourself, my tip for getting the best price on these hand creams is to buy the Christmas multi-packs during Boxing Week. I buy a whole year’s supply in late December-early January because the prices are so good.
Available: Body Shop
https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-au/body-care/hand-cream-moisturisers/c/c14012
Something That You Make!
Sewists appreciate the time and effort that goes into a handmade gift! I recommend checking your sewing machine manufacturers website/blog for free sewing projects. They are often made to encourage you to try new techniques (and sometimes buy special feet/accessories—let’s be real) and learn more about how to use your machine to it’s fullest potential. In the case of Pfaff, some of the best projects are from a few years ago, so you may have to search the project page a bit more to find what you want.
http://www.pfaff.com/Inspiration
Region (The Canadian website has better projects than the Aussie one, so set your region accordingly on the Pfaff website).
