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Great Sewing Gift Ideas for the Holidays 2014

Threads magazine - 176 - Dec. 14/ Jan. 2015

Sewing enthusiasts rejoice, the holidays are just around the corner. Whether you’re more interested in giving than receiving gifts, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. In case your sewing wish list isn’t long enough, or you need gift ideas for a sewer in your life, Threads staff members have made lists of their own to inspire you in Threads #176 (December 2014/January 2015). Here are more items of interest they chose.

Contributing editor Mary Ray would like:

1. A subscription to Selvedge magazine. Published in the United Kingdom, this bimonthly publication is kind of a luxury, but every page has something for the textile/fiber addict. It’s usually available at Barnes & Noble. Digital subscriptions also are available. (£50.00 for one year, Selvedge.org)

2. Sewing tools from Merchant & Mills. I especially covet the Tailor’s Tool Roll. But, again, it comes from the UK, and the cost is 245 pounds! (£245.00, MerchantAndMills.com) You can also find Merchant & Mills items at Purl Soho (PurlSoho.com).

merchant and mills tool roll

Photo: Courtesy of Merchant & Mills

3. A workshop at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina (Penland.org) or Arrowmont School of Crafts in Tennessee (Arrowmont.org) This one’s on my bucket list.

Associate Editor Stephani L. Miller recommends:

1. Subscriptions to Your Wardrobe Unlock’d (historical costume articles and how-tos, YourWardrobeUnlockd.com) and Foundations Revealed (corset-making, FoundationsRevealed.com). If you’re a serious costumer, whether professional or amateur, these sites are invaluable resources, and the combined subscription price of $19.97 per month is a bargain considering the value of the content.

corset and dress

Photo: Courtesy of Your Wardrobe Unlock’d and Foundations Revealed

2. An Inkle loom and kit. After working with author Daryl Lancaster on her “Weave Custom Trims” article (Threads #175, October/November 2014), I’ve been fascinated with the idea of weaving bands of trim or tape on inkle looms. I think this inkle loom kit would make a great gift for a sewer who wants to expand his or her repertoire and get into weaving trims, purse straps, or belts. ($110, Woolery.com)

inkle loom

Photo: Courtesy of Woolery

Administrative Assistant April Mohr would like:

A portable sewing machine table so that when I’m sewing I can have all three machines up and running, but when the room must convert to a guest room, I can slide the table under the bed, and tuck my machines away in the closet and cabinet. ($179.99, AceSewVac.com)

Contributing editor Susan Khalje would like:

1. To visit the Lace Museum in Calais, France, and the Dior Museum outside Paris. They’d be nice side trips to my Paris Tour!

lace museum

Photo: Courtesy of F. Kleinefenn

2. A professional studio redesign (or at least a serious consultation) with advice on the right height and size for worktables, the best lighting, ways to store fabric, a well-organized notions area, the best setup for pressing, the best chair, the best way to organize patterns.

Assistant Editor Dana Finkle recommends:

This adorable vintage pattern makeup bag is the perfect gift for any sewer. A vintage pattern is printed on the exterior, and other details include a cute tape measure bow, a zipper pull with decorative buttons, and an embroidered brand name on the bag front. ($24.99, modcloth.com)

makeup bag

Photo: Courtesy of Modcloth

Associate Editor Carol Fresia would like:

A flexible light to use while sewing. Anytime I do detailed handwork, especially on dark fabrics, I want to wear a headlamp, like a miner, and a magnifying visor, like a jeweler. This flexible-neck lamp with attached magnifier would solve my problem perfectly. It’s got 12 LED lights, and can be plugged in or powered by batteries, making it easily portable.($99.99, sewingworkshop.com)

You can find other great gift ideas in the current issue of Threads.

What’s on your sewing gift guide? Share your wishlist items in the comments section.

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  1. user-3059980 | | #1

    That tailor's roll is a nice gift item. With four pair of scissors/shears, a thread clip, and other items included, assuming they are good quality, that's probably a reasonable price.

    If, on the other hand, the roll itself is what you want, why not design your own to fit the tools you already have?

  2. user-3385447 | | #2

    The sewing gift I'm giving this year is a Serger to my daughter. I'm also making her a Farm Girl Apron and my son-in-law a Man's Shirt Apron. Both are denim.

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