Opinions Wanted-swap gifts
 

Okay, so here I sit trying to put together a list to go shopping and I can't decide what to make. I know most of you have had this problem. Im wanting to make a bunch of small gifts up for swaps and cant decide what to make or should I just get something little from the store. I participate in several swap every month and always always run into this problem. I worry about will they like it, can they use it, etc.... I always want to make every person I swap with feel special with a little adding something. I usually worry about this so much I give myself a headache. I've done the usual, tissue holders, scissor cases, and even made my own stilettos. So, here I am asking. If you were to participate in a swap of any kind on here what would you like to see or what would you make as an extra. Please be honest. I know most of us one here are the same as me and anything would work but I also know we all have those little small things in our mind that we would love to have and just never do it for ourselves. So, help Im tired of stressing over it and it would just be so wonderful to have everyone opinions on this. Speak up because you never know when we may be in the same swap and you may just get what you have suggested.:)

Almost all of the little swap gifts I get I find are things I will never ever use and I give them to Goodwill. The thing I would most like would be bags to put my shoes in when I put my shoes inside my suitcase when I travel. Also bags made with tuille windows with seperate compartments for ear rings and necklaces. The ones I have are made entirely from satin. I like the idea of being able to see the jewelry, but still it is contained and easy to pack and handle in the suitcase.

Thanks for the honesty, those are excellent ideas unfortunately I am a newbie and dont think that I could pull off the jewelry bags but most definitely could do the shoe bags. Thanks for the idea. It's surely something that everyone can use since most of use have had to pack a bag at least once in our lives.

Someone gave me a 1.5 inch diameter pin cushion - it's perfect to put in one of the sections of the desk organizer thing to place the stray pins and needles in.

Some of the things I've received are in the 'thanks, but you really SHOULDN'T have' category.

Of the things I've received that I've enjoyed - note paper, grocery list tablet paper, measuring tapes, mugs, marking pencils.

"...and even made my own stilettos."

Wow, I participate in lots of swaps and would be thrilled with a stiletto, especially one that is made by the giver!!!

I always pack in a few Ghirardelli dark chocolates. I buy the pack of them that are individually foiled packed and put a few in. Someone from England recently included two spools of cotton thread which I found to work great for making yo yos with since it pulled the gathers so well.

This is a great thread though, that you have started. It is often hard to think of something special but not too expensive so we don't go broke participating in swaps. :D

Often, I have received nothing extra and it does not bother me. It is the fun of swapping and meeting new people that is the goal.

Tartan, thanks for the idea or should I say the reminder. I did in fact see your post about the fake water bottle. I just havent found the right fabrics for it. Will most definely try it once I find the fabric though.

I received a 12" square of shelf liner. I love it under my foot-feed, no more feeling around with my foot for the foot-feed, it stays put. :)

The little multi-compartment holders for whatever you want to put in them are great...either the little donut shaped plastic ones from the $ store for things like snaps, hooks & eyes, etc. or the handmade ones with pockets in whatever size you want to make them (kind of like a hanging shoe bag) that can be used for the bigger items like scissors, templates, etc.
Notepads, calendars, disappearing ink pen, tailor's chalk, finger pincushion are all ones I've enjoyed receiving, as well as others I can't think of at the moment. Haven't gotten anything I really didn't like.

edited to add:

Oh, and you can get the little organdy drawstring bags to use for jewelry in the bridal section of Walmart with the cake decorating stuff. I think they are sold as favor bags. Very handy for controlling the clutter in your jewelry box or for travel. And quite inexpensive as well.

Thread catcher http://gigisquilts.blogspot.com/2011...ar-thread.html

Trash bag for car http://www.sewwequilt.com/2011/07/ca...k-of-that.html

Cart caddy for coupons (couldn't get link to work today)

This site has all kinds of ideas. http://www.sewingmamas.com/b/downloads.php

Raggiemom, thanks so much for the links. I love all of them and plan on making the thread catcher and car bag sometime this weekend. Probably for the quilt along thats here on the board. I'm so excited about some of the ideas that I have recieved so far and my shopping list is getting longer.LOL

all right, now that you put the spot on me, time to turn it around :p
i love going to the dollar tree and getting silly little stuff, you know, like a bag of sparkly pom poms or a bag of wiggly eyes-pr even fun stuff like a beach ball, or a flamingo, it IS summertime, or something silly, or fat quarters, i absolutely adore the stilletto you made for me!! you know, i like little stuff too, a roll of batting tape, thats awesome stuff if you havent tried it. a teeny paper pieced pattern is fun as well,
hugz you
katz

I just happen to think of this. I have met so many people on the board and swapped with I think about 50 different people so far. What about an address book to with keep those addresses straight. My aim to keep track of all of them somehow and when xmas rolls around try to get a card out to everyone of them. Thats a goal although at the rate Im going my wallet just may have a different opinion when it comes time to buy all those stamps. May a ecard instead, same concept but still need to book to keep all those email addresses in.LOL

It has been a wonderfully thrilling experience to receive little extras. Some of the things I have received include note paper, pens, pretty pencils, awesome coupons for free items like coffee, burgers and ice cream, extra blocks, and little squares of fabric. Some just include a small encouraging note of things that are happening in their lives, or their experiences with the fabric or black. I treasure them all.
I have enjoyed every single thing, and some I use, some i haven't. I keep them all in a little drawer. When I need a smile or a bit of encouragement, I simply open the drawer, and take a glance at all the items that were given with the amazing spirit of friendship and a love of quilting......and it realize I can go on another day, no matter what.

Cowquiltergirl, your post gave me a wonderful idea. For the larger swaps like secret pal and such, A quilters hope chest. For all those things that one wants to cherish but may not have the room to stash them all in a drawer or shelf. Thanks, its also a wonderful way to enclose all the item when mailing them sorta like a treasure chest when they open the mail. LOVE IT.

Could someone PLEASE tell me what a stiletto is?? I always thought it was a very high narrow heel!!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...1-dsc02295.jpg This is a stiletto. I use them to hold down my seams so they dont get flipped when going under my presser foot. I also use them for anything that requires me to put my fingers where i dont want them like when ironing tiny seam allowances.

I've been making key fobs. I'm using fabric to match the person's interest/color etc. Really came out cute and I'm keeping some for me!

I like Fabulous folded bags by Desiree Designs and I can put all sorts of things in them, or even nothing in them. The Jiffy Casserole Carriers are also nice to make and super easy and quick.

i have found pincushions and thread catchers are great gifts that you can make. if you happen to send a swapper a pincushion who doesn't collect them, pincushions make great recycle gifts.:) i made many a small thread catcher for other swappers but never one for myself. so my threads ended up on the floor or piled up on my ironing board. i have finally made one for me but need a small one at my ironing board too. also those big pincushion thread catchers are great handmade gifts.

fabric boxes or trays would make good gifts. i don't know about other quilters but i have plenty of stuff in my sewing area such as tailor's chalk, extra bobbins, pkgs of machine needles, glue sticks, seam gauges, rotary cutters, etc. and it helps to have something decorative to put these things in. right now i have them in large yogurt containers. it would be nice to be able to see the things in these containers.:)

needle cases are another handmade gift i have found useful. i didn't know i needed one until someone gifted one to me. i keep all of my hand sewing needles in it threaded with the floss i use to close up my pincushions or other hand sewing i do. now my hand needled don't have an opportunity to get lost in my pincushion. :thumbup:

potholders and hot pads are another great handmade gift. most of us use them in our kitchens. and i am not talking about making them to fit into someone kitchen decor but making something fun like the cupcakes, chickens/hen, microwave finger mitts and many other fun patterned or shaped ones. i made a pair of the microwave mitt ones for a swap partner and she said they were a prized possession in her kitchen. i need a pair for myself but just have gotten around to making my own so my fingers still get burned taking dishes out of my microwave. go figure. the microwave fabric bowls another good handmade.

if you're buying things then note cards(many of us in swaps send plenty of note cards with our swaps), note pads, glue sticks (a quilter's good friend), machine needles (i had a week where i broke several so needed replacements), rotary blades, permanent fabric pens, hand sanitizer (i use plenty of this especially when working with unwashed fabrics), packages of light weight interfacing, fusible web (for applique), seam rippers as i have heard swappers say they always misplace them (i use embroidery scissors not rippers). these are just somethings i can think of quickly.

btw i really like your stilettos so if you get my name in a swap, i would be a happy recipient.:D also i think scissor fobs are great handmades. i went to a quilt class at my lqs and had to watch my small scissors like a hawk. i forgot to distinctively mark them & a coupla participants misplaced theirs. ooh also the small hair twists work great as bobbin or thread keepers. you can get a bag of 300 for $1.00 at family dollar stores. plenty to parcel out to swap pals.

mary

Well.. I like fingernail trimmers.. I used to be a nail biter and the only way I keep from doing it now is to ALWAYS have a fingernail trimmer within reach at all times. And a file. I freaking love journals or cute notepads but I never use them. I just like looking at them and having them. they're kinda a thing I hoard. haha. I think I would like homemade bags of pretty much any type. Your idea the other day (and an idea I had too) with bookmarks I would like cause we read a LOT of books around here. Since I have a kindle and my mom has a kindle, I've been wanting to make a kindle case for someone and I have a few patterns for those. hmm.. Potholders or oven mitts because they seem to disappear in the kitchen when you desperately need them. We love crossword puzzles or other types of puzzles around here. So books of those are fun. I like lotions and candles and things that smell pretty but I know people are sensitive to scents or allergies so I'm always hesitant to buy those for others. I think I'm totally going to start collecting handmade pin-cushions :) I'm also a pen addict. I love a nice smooth writing pen, like gel or whatever. If it writes beautiful, I want it!

I think the point (and the reason for the under $10) is to keep it fun. So I don't worry too much about if they like it or not. If they don't, they can re-gift it. However, it's against my nature to NOT worry so I of course still worry. I just have to tell myself to get over it hehe. I just like to get stuff :D

I love the swaps on this board, especially the Secret Pal swap. I am making aprons for swap gifts. No need for a pattern, just gather some fabric. add a waistband with ties and hem. Teacup pin cushions are adorable. Buy teacup and saucer at thrift store. Hot glue cup to saucer. cut a 5-6" circle with a basting stitch around the edge. Pull the threads for loosly form a ball and stuff with fiber fill. Tighten threads and tie off. hot glue ball into the cup. So cute. Here is something I made for a swap gift with scraps of fabric and batting. No need for a pattern. Just make it up as you go. Hand made gifts are so special to me.[ATTACH=CONFIG]343543[/ATTACH]

love the cozy you made and that machine what a beauty. thanks for the idea, will put it on my list also.

Ana, thanks hun for the suggestions, i know if i get you for the swap then i dont have to worry because you list is made. LOL it takes one to know one.

Havplenty, thanks for all of the suggestions. Most of yours have made the list and now to get shopping and start sewing. oh and btw next time i see your name in the same swap as me im putting in a request for you name. Trust me youll get a stiletto whether or not you wnat one.LOL everyone does.

yes fayzer i forgot about the machine organizers. i need one for my old lady jo-jo. i have her sitting on some shelf liner right now. i love your little old lady. one like yours is the last one i want to add to my collection of vintage machines.

I received pin cushion i love! Also lil holder for all those cards you get from stores, punch cards for milk,fabric, restaurants ect! Note pads, small measuring tape. I just got a little case with post it notes and the lil post it strips in it! Love it!!

I would love to know how you make or decorate your stilettos...... Thanks

Wow Mdall, what a great question you posed here. So many terrific ideas.

Just wanted to add a few more. Once I received a little fabric bowl in a swap as an extra. Would just cost pennies if you had the supplies and quick to make also. It would hold about a half cup of something if you were to fill it. The person sent individual teas to put in the bowl.

I have also given and received individual foil cover teas or those single coffee things from Starbucks.

I also bought a $1 package of two collapseable flower vases. Yeah! Crazy huh? But, you get two to a package and you add warm water to them until they fill out, then replace with cold water and add flowers. When you are done with them you empty, let dry and it collapses until your next bouquet of flowers arrive:D

I'm a swap hostess and I have to say Haveplenty hit the nail in the head for me... BUT in all actuality I love everything so for me you can never go wrong no matter what is sent to me... I do make quilts for charity so currently charm packs are my favorite...

A few things off the top of my head that I always need or use is:

Needles
Thread
Seam ripper
Tiny scissors
Nippers
Post it notes
Fine sharpies
ANYTHING handmade
Charm packs/ fqs / yards of my favorite fabs (1930/CW/Batiks)
Postage stamps

I don't expect anything from my swappers but it's a nice surprise when rec'd ...

I've never done a swap, but I saw a cute idea where someone put actual cotton seeds in a little jar saying the quilter could grow her own fabric!

luvtoquilt i always try to send my swap host a little thank you something. so if i am ever in one of your swaps, surprise!!:D

I have a quilt shop which still sells FQs for a dollar every Monday. For me that is a perfect swap gift!

Those are really pretty. I always just use my seam ripper. :)

needle cases. I won playing a game on a list I'm on and a lady from Australia made me one. It's octagon shaped with a Kola bear on it she stitched by hand. I love it!!!! Never can have too many needle cases.

As for me, I love anything that someone takes a little extra time to make and send to me. I have quite a collection of all different kinds of things that people have sent, and they all have a very special meaning to me. As quilters, we know the love that goes into our work, and who can't appreciate that. :) I tend to go to Michaels Craft store and shop the dollar aisle. I have sent note cards, day timers, luggage tags, nail files, etc etc. I keep a supply of them on hand, to drop into a swap package or add to a small gift when needed. I surely would not stress over any of it. After all, swaps are supposed to be fun, right! :D

With the price of cotton, I think your on to something!! I love it!

I make cup cozy's. Simple, quick and it uses up stash. You can personalize them by adding an interesting button
that you think the recepient might like. (cup cozy's are quilted rings that look like the paper ones that you use for
paper coffee cups. I insulate mine too.)

I once received 14 two and 1/2 inch squares of flannel numbered 1 thru 14. They were doubled to give them body, pinked around the edges, and were numbered with a permanent marker. These are great for numbering rows of quilt squares.

I have to say that fat quarters are my favorites gifts!