Looking for Christmas Gift Ideas for Quilter
 

Hi,

I'm not a quilter, but my wife is. She's getting back into it after a long break and I'd like to get her something quilting related for Christmas. She is sewing on a Bernina that probably dates back to the 60's, but I don't think the budget will stretch to a new machine.

I've got a budget of about $300. I'd be grateful if you could give me some ideas.

She has the basic tools like scissors, an olfa cutting wheel, cutting mat & ruler.

Thanks,
Dennis

Gift certificate! Unless she's already told you about something else that she really wants, a gift certificate is probably your best option. My personal preference would be for a gift card that can be used anywhere, rather than one that is only good at one shop.

I agree. Everyone has their own personal preferences.

Gift certificate is my vote as well. Not knowing what "tools" she currently has ... and with so many new things to choose from ... it would be difficult to suggest something.

But if you want to actually buy something (my dh hates to give gift certificates to me) maybe buy a few other size rulers, some extra same size rotary blades (or even another different size cutter than she already has) and some prepackaged fabrics like fat quarters, jelly rolls, etc. in her favorite colors or the colors in your home.You could buy a few things and then do a gift certificate for the rest. That way she has something to open Christmas day and something to look forward to buying later.

Oh and so nice that you want to do this for her that you are willing to ask for advice from other quilters.

I'd like a gift card for a shop where I could get everything I need - fabrics, rulers, cutting blades, threads, embroidery threads, lace, ribbons - the list goes on, and on..........

Hi Dennis,
Since you say she is just getting back into quilting again, maybe a quilt store near you has a class she may like to take. Like the others said, a gift certificate to the store and ask if it can be used for classes as well. That way she may be able to meet up with other quilters to help her get back into the quilting world again.

KLO responded before I could, but I certainly agree with everybody...GIFT CERTIFICATE!!!! And in addition to what KLO mentioned, I just purchased (for myself, at Joann's with a 50% off coupon) a Fritz brand "Flip-It" Tape Measure. It measures up to 144" on one side, and ya flip it over and continues to measure up to 288". Even without a coupon, it's $4.99. Wrap it up by itself, tape the gift card to the back of it, and you'll have a happy wife. Or go with all the items KLO mentioned, adding this tape measure to it, and a bow (or not) on top, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I thought about an Accuquilt Go or Accuquilt Go Baby and some dies. I know I would love one of those.

Hi, Dennis. Another thought is a Craftsy gift certificate. They offer online quilting classes that are excellent and she could take them on her computer at her convenience and they'll be hers forever. Many of us here take these classes. As the holidays get closer there will be sales. Here is the link.
http://www.craftsy.com/classes/quilt...lting,quilting

Hey, that Bernina from the 60's is one of the best machines ever made... especially if it's the 830 Record! They last forever and can do everything. I have one too.

A nice huge cutting mat and 6 x 24" ruler, plus a good rotary cutter with some extra blades would make an awesome gift.

Good steel scissors by either Mundial or Gingher are quite a treat, too. Look for the ones made in Italy.

Any kind of storage for fabric pieces is great... I use little cabinets with drawers, but if you live near an Ikea there may be much classier ones to choose from.

What a thoughtful hubby you are.

Dennis, you are a gem! I would get her something to unwrap such as rulers she don't have or maybe a new cutting mat. My girlfriend gave me a Fiskers sliding cutter on a ruler and it is wonderful because I am getting arthritis in my hands and wrist. I would love a gift certificate. You might check out if she would has any Bonnie Hunter quilting books. Last years quite a few members were thrilled to get some of them. Or as someone suggested storage units or maybe you are handy and could make her an oversized ironing board.

A rotary cutting mat, as well as a couple of rulers. The rest I would get gift card for your wife to select her own fabrics, etc

I love gift certificates! I also would love receive gifts that I wouldn't normally spend the money for myself...such as EQ7 software, expensive patterns and things like that. Basics, such as threads, a bolt of nice muslin or my favorite batting would also thrill me. Have fun shopping!

Dennis, I would wrap yourself up as a gift and take her shopping at her favorite fabric store treating her to lunch at her favorite restaurant. She will be delighted. I am still quilting on my Bernina 1530.

She is ahead of the game already with an older Bernina. I would suggest the Go die cut machine starter package.
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/fabric...ic-cutter.html

No need for a new machine as she already has a great one! Can't go wrong with a vintage Bernina. Gift certs are nice but it is so much nicer to have something all wrapped under the tree that she can open. Fun for her and fun for you! (I get the most pleasure watching people open gifts)

I love pattern books, especially ones with loads of patterns in them. There are many to choose from. Some of my favorite all purpose pattern books are:
Quilts!, Quilts!! Quilts!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Quilts-Complet...+quilts+quilts

101 Fabulous Rotary cut quilts
http://www.amazon.com/Fabulous-Rotar...ary+cut+quilts

Big book of Scrap quilts or Big book of Scrappy Quilts
http://www.amazon.com/Scrap-Quilts-A...f+scrap+quilts

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Scrap...f+scrap+quilts

A package of rotary cutter blades is always useful and appreciated!

A set of threads from Connecting threads might come in handy (they happen to be on sale right now!)
http://www.connectingthreads.com/thr...Thread--600901

You could get creative and get a card and make your own gift certificate, promising her a trip to a quilt show and something special from one of the vendors. Maybe say $100 vendor of your choice purchase. You can find out if a show is coming near your town by contacting a local guild or you can see if AQS is doing a show nearby
http://www.quiltweek.com/

Check her browsing history to see what she has been window shopping for.

Thanks for all of the ideas! This one scares me a bit though. I might find out something I don't want to know ;-)

I'll have to get her to read this thread, especially the bits about me being a great husband.

I googled some pictures and I think hers is a Record 530.

I'm kind of leaning towards the go fabric cutter. Does anyone else have any comments on these? I looked on their website and it looks like you are limited to cutting the sizes and shapes of the dies. Is this a serious limitation?

My wife has been spending a lot of time looking at new york beauty type quilts, so I think this is the kind of thing she is planning on making.

New York Beauties (NYB) are best done paper pieced. Judy Neimeyer has some fabulous patterns that include the paper foundations. You might want to check with a local quilt shop to see if they offer any classes on paper piecing and see if she has any interest in that. Here is a link to Judy's patterns:
http://www.quiltworx.com/patterns/

Edited to add, yes with Go die you are limited to what dies you have and they are expensive. Many people do like them that have them. But some of us still enjoy cutting with a rotary cutter and self healing mat. Truth be told if my husband surprised me with a Go I would promptly return it for something else. But that is just me.

I have heard her talking about paper piecing. Are the Go cutters useful if you're paper piecing?

Thanks again,
Dennis

I have the GO and love it. It comes with a couple of the basic dies and but I use the 2.5 inch strip die, the 5 in. square, and the hexagon dies the most. As they go on sale I buy more. I bought the Double Wedding Ring dies and a friend of mine used it to cut out the quilt to make for her daughter. It was wonderful - all those little shapes cut out within a couple of hours. Ask her if she is interested in such a unit. I bought mine at a quilt show, Accuquilt had a display, and I was fascinated. The more I thought about it the more I wanted one, so ended up getting it before I left the show.

The GO does not eliminate the use of the rotary cutter and mat, it just helps with more accurate cuts and you can cut 6 layers at one time. If I am only cutting a couple strips, I use my June Taylor Shape Cutter.

I only do English Paper Piecing, my GO is good for that, I don't know out the type.

Dennis, I'm glad you're thinking about the GO. If my husband gave me a gift card, I'd think he had no idea what I like (which means he doesn't pay any attention to what I talk about) and was taking the easy way out. You sound like a very thoughtful husband since you're asking us for help and I'm sure any gift you decide on will be appreciated since it will show you put some thought into it.

No. Especially when using Judy Neimeyer patterns. She includes templates for cutting the oversized pieces used in PP.

If she is looking at the NYB quilts maybe you could find a kit for her. They are a bit high$ for me but would be an awesome gift.

There is a class under Craftsy.com on Judy Neimeyers NY Beauty Quiltworx on sale...

I love their classes too. Also, sign up and you'll get emails about sales there. Never, and I mean never, buy anything there full price. They always have sales. I love there kits too. How about a class and a kit and some BlocLoc or Deb Tucker rulers.

I'd say to plan a day for her as your gift. She should be ready at 5pm on a certain day. Tell her to pack a nice dinner outfit, and a casual outfit, go have her hair done, have a manicure if she's into that kind of thing.

Take her to a nice hotel to check in, then to someplace nice for dinner, an evening activity that she might like - movie, play, concert, boat ride, whatever. Then back to the hotel for the night. Have some candles to light. And chocolate to put on the pillow. If you're wine drinkers, have a bottle or two of wine ready. If she'd be receptive to it, have a new nightie ready. Nothing sexy, just pretty. The next morning go to a nice brunch someplace.

Spend the rest of the day going around to your very own shop hop that you've planned. Plan a route, and take her to the quilt and/or fabric shops in the area...let her browse to her heart's content, maybe buy a few things, some fabric of choice, a big item like the Accuquilt Go! and a die or two. Late lunch, and then home to enjoy all of her purchases.

The best gift here is the gift of your time....and thoughtfulness that you put into figuring out something that would please her.

Nanax4 has a great idea. Sounds like a really fun time. Since she has been looking at New York Beauty quilts, I would buy her a kit for a nice one of those. I bet she would love it.

Now you are a sneaky woman!! I love you!! LOL, I would have never thought to look there!!

Dennis, You are awesome! There isn't very many husbands that would come on here to ask advice from us for your wife's gift. Most of them wouldn't even think about it. You did the right thing though because this board is the best. All of the gifts mentioned are great ideas. I think if it were me I would want a Visa gift certificate so I could go where I wanted & buy what I wanted. Tools are very important in quilting to make the process go smoothly & if she only has 1 ruler then she might want a different size. My faves are the 61/2" square & the 61/2" x 13" & the 15" square. I use all of them a lot. Also I love my 24" x 36" cutting mat. Another tool I got recently is the battery operated seam ripper. I don't know how I managed all of these years without it! lol You said she already has a rotary cutter so she needs a supply of blades too. These are just some of the things that I love & makes my quilting experience the best it can be. So much easier now than years ago cutting everything with a pair of scissors & hand drawn templates made from empty cereal boxes! lol Done that many times. Whatever you decide to buy her for Christmas she will love it because it came from you.


































































Dennis, You are awesome! There isn't very many husbands that would come on here to ask advice from us for your wife's gift. Most of them wouldn't even think about it. You did the right thing though because this board is the best. All of the gifts mentioned are great ideas. I

I don't know what happened to my post above but it is weird. A lot of strange things this morning online. To start the link in my mail for the daily digest wouldn't work. It still doesn't so had to just go to the Quilting Board & go to the daily digest. Must be a glitch somewhere. Sorry about that!

What a sweet hubby you are! I agree a gift certificate to a local quilt shop.

Thanks everyone for your help. I think I've decided what I'll get, but I'm not going to post it here in case she finds this thread. I am going to point her to the thread after Christmas, just so she knows how lucky she is :p

Dennis

How about extra bobbins for her Bernina and new 1/4" foot if she doesn't have it. Lots of great suggestions. I have the Go machine and like it but it's a personal thing. Maybe a small gift basket made up of some of the items listed here and a gift certificate wrapped pretty with some of her favorite coffee or tea items and cookies etc.
And yes, let her read these posts. My DH is thoughtful but he would not go on line to get help from quilters......probably wouldn't cross his mind.
Have fun gift hunting!

Tuck her gift certificate to a favorite on-line or neighborhood fabric store into a new QUILT CALENDAR! I really enjoy the "engagement" calendars because there is a picture for each week instead of one per month, but the ones that include patterns for the pictured quilts are also fun. I'd also go for one of the "block-a-day" ones.

If se doesn't have one,I'd get her the long Slidelock ruler with the 'lighted" edge, then maybe a gift certificate of some other things.

take a look around her sewing room and see if she has a small iron that she can use by the sewing machine to just set the seams as she sewing, I have one and really like it. one of those rotating cutting mats would be nice. maybe an extension table for her sewing machine. maybe some new feet for her sewing machine. hope this helps

Dennis, I know you've made your decision but thought I'd still throw my two cents in. I've been sewing a long time and one of the best gifts I've ever received was a really good scissors. I added a long fabric tail to the handle and my family knows they can't touch that scissors! It was a very nice gift. Add your gift card or fabric packs and it would be a hit, guaranteed! Have a Merry Christmas!!!