On the Subject of Gifting

Posted on by quiltedl

Have you ever thought of not gifting something tangible to the people in your life?  Gasp!  Shock!  Horror!

Why not gift them an “experience” instead?
-Tickets to a concert or play.
-A meal at their favorite restaurant (or a gift card if you’re out of town).
-A gift card to *that* bookstore, coffee shop or stationery store.
-Classes to learn a new hobby.

For sewing folks:

  1. Sewing classes offered by local quilt shops, recreation centers and big box craft stores, if you aren’t inclined to teach the recipient yourself.
  2. Tickets to the big sewing expo if it comes to your town.
  3. Online sewing classes offered by Craftsy or similar platforms.
  4. Annual membership to Pattern Review, Modern Quilt Guild, American Sewing Guild, QNNtv (F+W Media video channel now part of The Quilting Company).
  5. Gift card to their favorite fabric store, complete with chauffeur (you) and lunch.
  6. Subscription to their favorite sewing or craft magazine.

If you give a tangible item(s) as a gift, be deliberate and thoughtful in your giving. Be sure to give them something they can actually use, rather than something that will take up space.

For a beginning/returning sewist:
1. Quality thread in white, natural, light gray or light beige.
2. FQ bundle in solids, a favorite color way or theme.
3. 5 pack of rotary cutter blades.
4. Needle packs (Schmetz Chrome Microtex Size 12/80 anyone?)
5. Nice scissors (Gingher or their favorite brand).
6. Superfine glass head pins and a magnetic pincushion.

If your favorite sewist has some experience, listen carefully. They are bound to tell you exactly which fabric line, book or sewing notion they’d love to have.

Some of my most favorite gifts have been my birthday “day trip” last year to Missouri Star Quilt Company, a weekend quilting class at the John C. Campbell Folk School and my subscription to QuiltFolk.

If you are able to gift the “machine of her dreams” without breaking the bank, then by all means go for it!  You’ll have a very grateful stitcher on your hands.

Merry Christmas!

Peace.