My cousin, who is also a quilter, wanted to thin out her stash recently (a mind-set I don't quite understand). She offered me first crack at three big boxes of fabric and quilt kits/patterns, and, yes, I took most of it. After getting it all home and washing it, I realized (almost with horror) that there must be close to 30 yards of big pieces, and maybe 50 FQs, fat eighths, and half-yards. Most of them were in coordinated sets. In one fell swoop, this incredible woman doubled the size of my stash.

I want to do/get something truly wonderful for her in return, but it must be non-fabric in nature. She has a new sewing machine and a pretty good quilting set-up, and prefers applique to traditional piecing.

I was thinking of getting her one of those rotating cutting boards that Omnigrid makes, but would welcome any other ideas.

Is there something -- relatively expensive -- that you lust after, but could never justify buying for yourself?

Thanks for the ideas!

Something that I really wanted but never got for a long time after getting a new sewing machine, was a sew steady table. It makes a perfect accessory if you paper piece or applique.

I just recently got mine for $50 less $5. coupon from Allbrands. It took about 4 weeks to come, but now that it's here, I'm so glad. I love it and I wish somebody had bought it for me years ago.

Oh, that is a good idea. I used (and loved!) one for years before I got my current table. I'd have to enlist her husband to find out what make and model machine she has...

Thanks!!

How about an Ott Lite Lamp? or Create a gift basket filled with applique and piecing items?

Does she have an oversized ironing board ? They look like they would be great to use :mrgreen: I dream of that :wink:

Since she has a new machine, how about either a gift card for some 'extra' feet she may want, or if she has an embroidery machine too, a new hoop?

I'm with the Crafty1 on the Ott light. Or you could assemble a basket of teas, cookies, and chocolates for keeping the body going while having fun. Does she have a radio in her sewing room?

I like your idea of getting her a rotating cutting board. That would be a very useful gift. I am not familiar with the Omnigrid rotating board, but I can tell you that the one by Fiskars is terrible, ask me how I know!

Another idea, does she have applique scissors? They have a duckbill blade that really makes cutting appliques easy. If she has been doing applique for some time she may already have a pair.

A gift card is always a welcome gift too!

Great ideas, everyone! Keep 'em coming!! :-D

How about taking a class together or going to quilt camp together? The gift of time/experience. My mom takes me to her chapter's quilt camp every fall -- it's fun to spend time with her and get away and (of course) have several days to just SEW!! :)

Where did you get the table for $50

One of the most special gifts I've received was from my sister, it was a pair of applique scissors in a chatelaine. They are very special to me and I think of her whenever I use them.

I have the rotary cutter and applique scissors and love them both. How is she is the thread department?

I think a basket of goodies is a good idea.

I don't know if she has any applique scissors, but that's a nice idea. I LOVED the quilt retreat idea -- now to find one I can afford to send two people to! As for thread, I don't know what she has now, but she recently gave me about a dozen huge spools of lovely variegated thread that wouldn't fit on her machine. (works just fine on mine!)

I made a little scissor case for last year's Kris Kringle, added a small pair of pretty scissors

also included a nice "silver" needle case

small things that someone may not buy themselves

quilter's note paper/cards/wrap

emery board printed with a quilt pattern

just look around the local quilt store, most have a quilty themed gift section

I made a little scissor case for last year's Kris Kringle, added a small pair of pretty scissors

also included a nice "silver" needle case

small things that someone may not buy themselves

quilter's note paper/cards/wrap

emery board printed with a quilt pattern

just look around the local quilt store, most have a quilty themed gift section

Thanks, everyone, for your wonderful ideas. :thumbup:

I really liked the idea of a quilt retreat, but looked and looked, and couldn't find one that I could afford to send both us us to. Someday.... :(

I liked the chatelaine / scissors idea, too, but wasn't sure if she already had these things. And, as lovely and useful as they are, they just didn't seem to have the same "weight" as it were of nearly 50 yards of fabric.

I ended up ordering a 24 x 24 Sew Steady table for her, with her husband's help to know the make/model of her machine. ($79 at http://www.allbrands.com/; free shipping, too!) As I said, I've used one for years and really liked it, so I'm pretty sure she will, too.

Thanks again -- you've all been a great help!

I know I'm a little late, but you could make her an applique bag, to carry all of her sewing with her, if she travels...

How about a spa day? Treat her to a massage, pedi/mani, and facial.

I love good books and dream of some of those beautiful hard covered ones with lots of glossy pics and heaps of patterns inside!

Gal

Maybe take her to eat at her favorite place, then present her with a gift certificate for whatever. I always enjoying going to eat. It sounds like she has everything already.
I have a friend like this, she has a box that has several cutters, scissors,ect. I go stay with her at their camper in the summer and we go out traveling most every day , watch the sunset, and sew at night. She just enjoys time with me.She says I am like an adopted daughter.
Jean

I was going t suggest something along these lines. I love scisssors, can never have to many.

I also love to applique, I love to use Kinkame silk for appliqueing. Maybe a basket as someone mentioned, put in a new pair of embroideryscissors, (Dovo or Gingher), some neutral thread colors in silk?, pkg of applique needles, add in some chocolate, a new applique pattern.

lets us know what you decide, :)

An American express gift card.....she could buy what she needs or wants.

How about a great light? You can spend up to $200 on the good ones.

I would LOVE the new Gingher rotary cutter and some replacement blades. I'd never pay that much for a rotary cutter, but it would be a great gift!

Gift certificates are always nice. I believe most quilting sites offer them.

You aare a very lucky girl!!

How about a light box (for tracing her appliques)?

I think a goody basket with maybe replacement rotary blades, bobbins, thread(?), replacement needles, Jaws quilt clips, curved safety pins, leather thimble, the possibilities are endless, oh, I love my sidewinder, that would be good!

I have a friend who has just about every gadget that is known to mankind . So I found these really pretty angel by Jim Shore who designs many figurines that have to do with the quilter. Such as a sewinging machine with a quilt being sewen. A fairy that has a timble for a hat and a needle in her hand. There are so many I am sure you could find him online I found mine at a Hallmark stores. They range in price from 15- 50 . I hope this helps out.

she will love that table.She can use it as a light table also if she is doing some applique pattern. Good choice..
Let us know how she likes the table.
Jean

How about a beautiful basket filled with very special personal things she'd enjoy but would not buy herself. It would all depend on what she likes...gardening, cooking, reading, sports, pets, creative arts (painting, drawing)etc, etc. You get the idea. I would love getting something like this as a gift!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sauder-Sew...-Table/1984564 - 195k I have two of these tables. One here at home & one at my daughters. Also 2 friends have purchased them and dearly love them. Also a great price of $99.00

I suggest a gift card to her favorite store.

i am currently lusting after a cricut...the machine and a couple cartidges for it would be a great gift if she likes to applique!

Does she have one of those Bendable Bright Lights that you put on your sewing machine. They are really nifty and allow you to shine the light directly on your sewing area, and you can bend it so the light shines directly on your hands if you're ripping something out (as me how I know that!!).

I like your idea of getting her a rotating cutting board. That would be a very useful gift. I have one and when she is cutting triangles it will turn and she want have to pick up the fabric to turn it.

Cookie

Make sure you check them out. I had a friend who got one, she took it back , said it was more for scrap booking. I have the Accu cut. I like it, I want to get more dies for it. watch out when they say it is on sale. I have seen where they jack the price before the sale.
Jean

I vote for the rotating cutting board. Guess its because I dont have one and really want one. No one in this area has them.