Gift guide: what to get someone who sews
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Hi, hello. Every year somebody asks me what to get their mom, their roommate, or their suspiciously thread-covered coworker who sews. So here's the actual answer, from someone who's at a sewing machine most nights.
Heads up: some of these links are affiliate links, but they're all things I have and love, or would love to have. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Under $25: the stocking stuff
Little tools get used every single day and nobody buys them for themselves. That's what makes them good gifts.
- Thread snips. They live next to the machine and they disappear constantly, so a pack is never wasted.
- A magnetic pin dish with fine flat-head pins. The magnet catches the pins you drop. It's the closest thing sewing has to magic.
- Machine needles and spare bobbins. Nobody has ever said "I have too many needles." Nobody.
- Tailor's chalk and a good seam ripper. The seam ripper is not an insult. It's the most honest tool in the box.
- A fabric shaver. Takes the fuzz balls off sweaters and vintage and makes everything look newer.
- Mighty Mendit fabric glue. For the mends that don't deserve a whole machine setup.
- A Sew Remind Me needle sticker. A friend of mine makes these. It tracks which needle is in your machine so you stop playing needle roulette. Small business, smart product.
The upgrade zone ($25 to $75)
- A presser foot collection. One box, a dozen new abilities. This is the "whoa" gift for someone who's only ever used the foot their machine came with.
- An overcast presser foot on its own, if they don't have a serger. It finishes raw edges so the insides look store-bought.
- A walking foot, the thing that makes thick, slippery and quilted fabrics behave. I made a whole video about mine.
- A good iron and a tabletop ironing board. Pressing is half of sewing. I love my iron as much as a normal person can love an iron.
The big ones
If you're going big: my machine is the Singer Heavy Duty 6700C and it's what I use in every video. Get it straight from Singer with code YOUHAVETIMETOWASTE, or on Amazon. It sews through denim, quilts, and my bad decisions without complaining.
The other big one is a garment steamer. Ours was a gift and we use it constantly. If your sewist also thrifts or resells, this is the one.
From small makers
Shopping small is kind of our whole thing. None of these are affiliate links, just things I have and love, or would love to have.
- A ceramic sewing caddy. Pins, snips and bobbins in one pretty place instead of six ugly ones.
- A sashiko mending kit. Visible mending is the most beautiful version of "because it's already here." If I could make everyone try one craft, it might be this.
- A custom "she's sewing again" piece. For the household that has accepted its fate.
- A bookmark weaving loom kit. A whole fiber craft that fits in a coat pocket.
- A suminagashi marbling kit. Japanese water marbling. Not sewing, but the same brain.
- A flower press: a mini pocket one or the full-size kit, for the maker who already presses seams and might as well press flowers too.
- A custom stained glass cat in a UFO. For the person whose taste is "a custom stained glass cat in a UFO." You know one.
- Hair clips from The Peach Fuzz Co. Because hair in the seam allowance is a safety issue, and these are the cute fix.
The best tip
Hit a thrift store, buy three flat sheets in prints they'd actually wear, wash them, fold them, tie them with twine. That's practice fabric for months and it costs less than a coffee. If they're brand new to sewing, send them my beginner supply list along with it.
Or skip the tools entirely
Some people who sew would rather receive something someone else sewed for once. Every piece in my handmade collection is one of one, made from vintage materials, right here in Memphis. When it's gone, it's gone. That's okay.
New in the collection this week, all one of one:
- Lace for Layering Skater Skirt (OSFM), $40
- Work in progess halter top, $25
- Gotta hand it to ya, clip-on friend, $40
- Bold in black and white peasant dress, XS-L, $75
- Vintage vacation denim jacket (Large), $300
- I Dream of Jeannie 3 piece set (small), $350
- That's a wrap, tie skirt (M-L), $120
- Silly Goose high-low sheer lace top (OSFM), $55.55
- We're not duckin' around lace shawl shirt (OSFM), $55.55
- Better than Balenciagaga convertible shirt pants (medium), $66.66
- The Cease and Desist trench skirt (Small), $125
- The Cease and Desist trench coat (Large+), $150
- Bog Jacket made of ties (OSFM), $99
- We got Lilly at home shorts (L-XL), $40
- Barely there, sparkling disco top (S-M), $40
