Check what they have first
Most quilting tools come in sizes and fittings, and a gift that doesn't fit their setup ends up in a drawer. Three things are worth finding out, ideally by a casual look at the sewing table:
- The rotary cutter's blade size. 45 mm is by far the most common. Replacement blades only fit cutters of the same size.
- Whether their machine is low shank. Most home machines are, and most snap-on presser feet are sold for low-shank machines. If the machine is a high-end or industrial model, skip presser feet unless you can check the manual.
- Whether they quilt by hand or by machine. Hoops and thimbles are for hand quilters; gloves and free-motion feet are for machine quilters. Plenty of people do both, but most have a favorite.
If you can't check, stick to the first section. Those gifts fit everyone.
Stocking stuffers
Small and easy to wrap. A quilter can use a second one of almost all of these.
- A 10-pack of 45 mm rotary blades. They fit OLFA, Fiskars and other 45 mm cutters. A dull blade skips threads, and most quilters change blades less often than they should because they don't want to open the last spare.
- A Clover seam ripper with a slim tip and a non-slip handle. Every quilter has one; nobody minds having a better one in another room.
- Fiskars 6-inch micro-tip scissors. The spring-assisted handle opens after each cut, which is kind to tired hands, and the fine tip snips threads right at the seam.
- A box of 100 sewing clips. Quilters use them to hold binding in place, and they disappear like socks.
- A Sharpie Rub-a-Dub laundry marker for writing quilt labels. It's a fabric marker made for things that get washed, which matters for a quilt label. See how to label a quilt.
Everyday tools worth upgrading
These get used on every project. A quilter who started with a budget version will notice the difference.
Thread
A large spool of Aurifil 50-weight cotton in Dove, a soft gray that blends into most fabrics. The spool holds 1,422 yards. Piecing a whole quilt in one neutral means never rethreading for a new fabric, which is why a big spool of gray goes further than a set of colors.
Fabric scissors
The Fiskars 8-inch orange-handled scissors have a bent handle that keeps the fabric flat on the table while you cut, and they come with a lifetime warranty. Tie a ribbon on the handle and tell them these are for fabric only. Paper dulls them.
Pressing
A 17 × 13.5-inch wool pressing mat, half an inch thick, sits next to the machine for pressing blocks without walking to the ironing board. Wool holds the iron's heat and presses from below too, so seams come out flatter. This one includes a silicone rest for the iron.
Bigger gifts
Worth it if you know they don't own one yet, or theirs is worn out.
| Gift | Who it's for | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| OLFA 45 mm squeeze-handle rotary cutter | Anyone who cuts a lot; the blade retracts on its own when you let go | Nothing; it takes standard 45 mm blades |
| Fiskars 18 × 24-inch self-healing mat | A beginner, or anyone still cutting on a small mat | Table space: 18 × 24 inches fits folded yardage |
| Omnigrip 6 × 24-inch ruler | Cutting strips across folded fabric | Most quilters own one; a second one is still useful |
| Omnigrip 15 × 15-inch square ruler | Squaring up big blocks and quilt corners | Whether they make blocks larger than 12½ inches |
| 12-inch basswood quilting hoop | Hand quilters | That they quilt by hand |
| Clover Natural Fit leather thimble | Hand quilters and anyone who hand-sews binding | Finger size; this listing is the small |
| Machingers quilting gloves | Machine quilters; the grip helps move the quilt under the needle | Hand size: sold in XS, S/M and M/L |
| Free-motion quilting foot | Someone starting free-motion quilting | That the machine is low shank |
A sewing machine is the biggest quilting gift of all, and the hardest to get right as a surprise. If that's what you have in mind, StitchTested has a guide to sewing machines for beginners.
What to skip
- Fabric, unless you know their taste well or they've pointed at something. Quilters have strong opinions about color, and most already have more fabric than they'll use this year.
- Big all-in-one sewing kits. They're mostly pins and tape measures the quilter already has.
- Novelty gadgets for one job. A good basic tool gets more use than a specialty one.
Or give something handmade
If you quilt yourself, a small quilted gift for another quilter goes over well: a mug rug for the sewing table, a set of pot holders, or a Christmas table runner. More one-evening and weekend projects are in Christmas quilt ideas. For a beginner on your list, start them off with the quilting supplies a beginner needs.
You might also like
Christmas quilt ideas, sorted by how much time you haveTwelve holiday projects, from one-evening gifts to a full Christmas throw.
Quilted Christmas stockingA patchwork stocking with a lining, cuff and hanging loop, about 16 x 20 in, from a grid template.
Snail's trail quilt blockA four-patch and four rounds of two-color triangles that spiral out, cut for 8, 12 and 16 inch blocks.
Christmas star table runnerThree sawtooth stars in green, gold and red, 16 x 40 in, a one-weekend project.