In case you missed all the 'Black Friday' and 'Cyber Monday' brouhaha, 'tis the season for holiday shopping. I noticed that a lot of the participants at Sew Fun last month were using the time in the store to put together wish lists for their spouses and friends. What a great idea! If you're looking for ideas for someone who sews or crafts, or perhaps someone you'd like to entice into creative activities, here's a few suggestions.
The Gift That Keeps Giving: Classes and Clubs. There are so many great classes being offered and educational clubs and groups that meet on a regular basis. Is there something they'd like to learn? A new piece of equipment to run through the paces? Nothing keeps a creative person inspired like new ideas and techniques. Plus classes and clubs are a fun place to meet other creative people. Check out the listings at Quality Sewing and Pacific Fabrics to sign up online. Whether they're interested in sewing, knitting, crocheting, felting, embroidery, upholstery and more...there's something for everyone!
Tool Time: Not Just For Guys. Do they have the tools they need or are craving? For the Knitters, Pacific Fabrics has a great selection of knitting needles, including my favorite - Addi Turbos! No kidding, those things are lightning fast. Bamboo needles are also nice to have - they feel great in the hands and have a bit more 'grip' for those slippery yarns. Machine embroiderers can always use stabilizers, threads, and of course more embroidery designs. Better yet, a subcription to the Anita Goodesign Diamond Club or similar, so they can receive designs throughout the year. Quilters might appreciate a Super Ruler Grip, and they even come in small sizes now for the smaller specialty rulers. If she likes to make quick triangles for quilts, she'd love one of Audrey's Rulers. They have a special groove in the center that allows the squares to be cut without wobbling on top of the seam allowance. Kids love the Kandi hot fix tools for adding 'bling' to their denims and accessories. Of course all sewing enthusiasts appreciate having good quality cutting and pressing tools, and especially a quality sewing machine!
Inspiration On Tap: Books and Patterns. There are so many gorgeous quilt, sewing, knitting and crocheting patterns out there that it boggles the mind. A beautiful pattern and a gift card for buying the appropriate fabrics or yarns would be a lovely gift. Books are probably my greatest weakness. I love my reference library (of both books and patterns) and am always happy to welcome a useful new addition to the collection. I keep a 'wish list' of books that I want up to date, so my family never has to ask 'what do you want'. This last month in Sew Fun club we featured the Encyclopedia of Sewing Machine Techniques. What a great book! Lots of practical applications as well as modern and heirloom embellishment ideas. For apparel sewing and excellent general garment advice, I like Vogue Sewing. I like the spiral bound 'Fit For Real People' series by Palmer/Pletsch for fitting techniques. Sandra Betzina's Power Sewing books will always be a great reference, as well as Nancy Zieman's many books on sewing and serging. Actually, my wish list this year has more knitting books on it than sewing books, particularly the relatively new "Fitted Knits" by Stefanie Japel and any of the "Edge" knitting books by Nicky Epstein.
A Place to Start: Kits and More. Giving the gift of a new craft or skill is definitely life-enriching. How about a fun needle felting kit with tools and supplies to make a fun ornament or garment embellishment? For aspiring yarn addicts, Knitting and Crocheting for Dummies makes it easy by not only giving clear instructions, but also includes the basic tools for starting out. For quilters, there is this stunning Strawberry Splendor Focal Block Kit. Beginning sewers of all ages have fun making Raggy Fleece plaid blankets. For many other ideas and starter kits, visit the stores!
Sew...what's on your sewing and crafting wish list this season?
help, it's 10:30 at night I'm sculpting a soft doll, which the pattern does not call for hair, but her haead is a little pointy and I think Hair would really help, I know I made cabage patch type dolls years ago, with hair. But my memory is short???? Linda
Posted by: Linda | December 13, 2008 at 10:49 PM