If you have landed on this post you probably need a gift idea for a sewing lover in your life. Sewing is a wonderful practice that takes time, patience and diligence. Sewist put a lot of time and effort into their practice and love anything that helps them further their craft.
There are a variety of gifts ideas for sewing lovers in your life. In this post, you will see high-quality tools, tools to make sewing easier, membership and magazines subscription ideas as well as bigger ticket items such as tables and dress forms. Take a peek- you’re sure to find something for your special recipient!
This post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase from these links, we might get a commission. It doesn’t cost you anything extra!
Gift Ideas for Sewing Lovers
High Quality Fabric Shears
Not all fabric shears are made the same. When I was a sewing beginner I had your standard pair of fabric shears from a sewing kit. They were great to start but eventually wore down. I received a pair of Gingher 8-Inch Dressmaker’s Shears for my birthday probably about 15 years ago and they are still going strong. They also came in a beautiful case so they stay protected. Highly recommend these fabric shears as a gift if your sewing lover is in need of an upgrade.
Rotary Cutter and Self-Healing Cutting Mat
Ever since investing in a rotary cutter cutting out pattern pieces is such a breeze. I use the Fiskars 45mm Rotary Cutter albeit I have an older version that is not as ergonomic as this one. That being said, it has lasted me several years. I have just had to buy replacement blades – which is a great add on to this gift. Don’t forget to purchase a self-healing cutting mat as well. Your recipient won’t be able to use the rotary cutter without it.
Drafting Ruler Set and Drafting Paper
Sewing and design students typically invest in a set of drafting rulers. If your recipient isn’t being trained professional they would still get good use out of drafting rulers. As sewists, we often experiment with drafting our own patterns as we grow in our skill set. Drafting paper is also imperative and a good addition to this gift. I typically just use medical paper rolls. They are affordable so you don’t feel as bad when you mess up. Since this is a gift, you may want to get drafting paper that has alpha numeric markings on it to help the make the process easier.
Guillotine Paper Cutter
A guillotine paper cutter is great for cutting off the frame of PDF sewing patterns. PDF sewing patterns usually come with multiply pages and it is very time consuming to cut them out by hand. I use a guillotine paper cutter and get the job done in a few minutes. This tool has saved me a lot of time and I would absolutely replace it if it ever broke. Bonus you get to use it for your other paper crafting projects.
Pinking Shears
Pinking shears are used on fabrics that would fray when using normal fabric shears or a rotary cutter. The zigzag cut prevents fraying and is ideal when you do not have an overlock machine to bind the edge. I have a pair of Fiskars softgrip pinking shears that I used a lot when I didn’t have an overlock sewing machine. I still use them when I am sewing bulkier pieces of fabric that cannot fit through my overlock machine or for fabrics that are too delicate for my overlocker.
Snippers or Embroidery Scissors
When sewing it is imperative to have snippers or embroidery scissors. You are always cutting off fine pieces of thread so you need an easy to hold scissor that is super sharp and fast. I have used both snippers and embroidery scissors and love both. This is really a matter of preference but the job the tool gets done is necessary so having a great pair of snippers or embroidery scissors will go a long way with your recipient.
Pattern Weights
The Sewing HQ Heavyweight Dressmaking Pattern Weights
Myrtle Cottage Studio Decorative Ceramic Pattern Weight
When laying out your pattern on fabric you need something to hold it down. You can use pins but a faster way is pattern weights. A good set of pattern weights will ensure you are cutting out your fabric pattern pieces precisely without the use of pins. It helps you get the job done without accidentally ruining the fabric with pins. There are a variety of options for pattern weights. You can go the traditional route on a heavyweight metal chrome weight or there are many decorative options such as these beautiful ceramic stoneware weights.
Seamwork Membership
If your recipient always seems like they are in need of a new pattern or loves to get involved with an online community a membership to a company like Seamwork might be a good fit. They come out with two new patterns every month and as a member you get access to their whole catalog of patterns. I have sewn many of their patterns and truly love them. The membership not only allows you access their pattern inventory but their Design Your Wardrobe Program, sew-along classes, discounts at affiliated indie fabric stores, their community of sewists, and support from their experts for their patterns.
Magazine Subscription
One thing that people don’t really hear about anymore is a magazine subscription (well at least not me). In the past, I have received magazine subscriptions for Christmas or my birthday and I truly had fun with this type gift. There are a variety of magazines you could get a subscription to including Peppermint Magazine or Tauko Magazine. Both magazines offer printed or digital subscriptions which include the current issue’s patterns in paper or in PDF. Be sure to pick a magazine based on your recipient’s style. There are many to choose from!
Thread Box or Thread Rack with Thread
As a sewist, I can wholeheartedly say that it is always nice to have a variety of thread options available. I think any sewing lover would be happy to receive a thread box or thread rack filled with high quality threads. It saves us so much time and money! Believe me! I am a big fan of Gutermann Thread. I have been using this thread for years and it hasn’t let me down.
Cutting Table
A cutting table it a must have for sewing lovers! I have a foldable sewing table that I have had since college. I have lugged this table from my childhood bedroom to a small apartment and now my sewing room. It is easy to store and makes it easier to complete my projects without having to take up space on the dining room table or living room floor. It’s on the pricier side but it will be worth it.
Sewing Planner with Pens and Stickers
Mood Fabrics has a very professional sewing project planning journal. Sewists tend to have a never ending list of ideas in their head about what they want to sew. They love planning, sketching and dreaming. A sewing planner is a fun way to get all those ideas out and help your recipient meet their sewing goals. It is also nice to look back on all your work. This planner comes with fun sewing themed stickers but if you opt for a different planner add some fun stickers and pens along with it for a well-rounded gift.
Wonder Clips
This is a product I have been meaning to invest in myself. I have heard so many good things about Wonder Clips over the years. They are supposed to be easier to use than pins, they don’t snag your fabric like pins can and they can hold heavier weight fabric together with ease for better precision. These are great for serger work and super easy to use. Any sewist would love to add these to their toolbox.
Snap Pliers and Snap Kit
There are a variety of fun sewing projects that involve snaps or grommets like coats, jeans, baby clothes. I personally have avoided some of these projects because I don’t have a snap plier and snap kit. I would love to add this to my set of tools. It would give me the ability to sew so many more patterns. If your recipient is an intermediate or advanced sewer consider this gift – it’ll help them build those skills further.
Custom Sewing Labels
Custom sewing labels is a must have gift to make any sewing lover feel special! I love the idea of being gifted custom labels to add to my projects. It is a very thoughtful gift that let’s your recipient know their work is appreciated and should have their signature on it. There are many to choose from on Etsy – be sure to pick one with your recipient’s style in mind.
Adjustable Dress Form
If your sewing lover is very into customizing their garments and designing their own patterns an adjustable dress form is a great gift. This type of dress form allows them to adjust the body the exact measurements they need for their custom garment. You can easily pin fabric to this form and even draft your pattern then transfer it to paper. It’s a worthwhile investment.
Hand Turned Seam Ripper
There are a variety of seam rippers available some great some flimsy. Whenever you have to use a seam ripper you are probably a bit frustrated so why not ease some of that frustration with a high quality and beautiful seam ripper? I have seen many people talk about hand turned seam rippers online. It is a product people love and will honestly probably last your recipient a very long time.
Don’t forget that sewist love ambience! A beautiful potted plant, decorative frame or candle are always welcomed in the sewing space.
