what would you want as a gift??

[Auryn]

Here is the dilemma, well not really a dilemma.
I am super easy to shop for.
My mom asked me what I would like for Christmass, so I spouted off a few things including "sewing stuff".
She came back at me with "what kind of sewing stuff" and I was stumped.

I have a basic Brother machine that has served me well, it is technically hers but she doesn't want it back cause "its easier to have you do it for me"  .
I just recently acquired a Singer 15-91 from the late 40s. It seems to work well but I havent had the time to check it out or take it to the shop to have it checked out.

I have a body form that I bought myself and altered to my exact measurements.
I have a nice big drafting table that I use as my sewing table.
I have a rotary cutter and a small mat for it.

What could I ask for??
What would you ask for as far as "sewing stuff" as a gift??

[LadyShadow]

In the past I have asked for a book to teach me how to quilt and the materials to make something quilted.

As well as, for me, a gift certificate to a fabric store.  That way I can buy what fabric I want.

Good luck 

[Kehle]

I actually had that same conversation with my mother and she was rather annoyed when I just said, "sewing stuff" so I told her to get me ten yards some pretty fabric. I figure ten is enough to do most things with for a woman my size, won't cover all my patterns, but will be good enough for most. Though if asked again I might also encourage her to buy me trim by the spool and stock up on my trim collection.

The book and gift certificate idea sounds cool too, but I can never find books on sewing and my mother doesn't like gift certificates, she thinks they're too impersonal.

[ArielCallista]

hahaha I've totally had the same thing happen. My decision was easier since i dont have a dressform, thats what i really want. So heres some ideas...

Serger?
one of those machine things that makes bias tape for you out of fabric?
odds and ends like more bobbins, straight pins, feet, seam ripper, button hole cutter, special needles (for thick or delicate fabric etc)
a sewing desk?
an array of fasteners and buttons, just to have laying around until you need them lol?
bobbin winder?
if your machine can do embroidery as well, some of those memory card things with embroidery templates in them?
and if you dont already have one you should get a simflex sewing gauge ( gives exact spacing for buttonholes, eyelets etc.)?

[gem]

Do you have a good library of books and patterns?
Tudor Tailor
Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion books (there are 4)
Moda a Firenze
Fashion in Detail
any/all of the Margo Anderson patterns
Lynn McMasters hat patterns

A good stock of notions?
True-Grid for drafting patterns
a case of Sulky or Gutterman thread, or just a box for thread storage?  Clover just came out with a nifty new bobbin unit that the folks on PR are clamoring about.
nice, sharp pins
a quality iron
new feet for your machine (do you have a walking foot?  A blind hem foot?  A narrow hem foot?  Etc.)

Pretty notions?
Beautiful scissors (last Christmas my brother bought me a pair of gorgeous silver embroidery scissors and a pewter chatelaine at the Royal School of Needlework in London.  Swoon!!)
A period sewing kit (GirlChris posted links to some a while back)
A beautiful, functional pin cushion
A pretty sewing box (I admit my MIL gave me one, but I still use my little Tupperware tub for everything.)

Not "stuff" but still gifts:
A class in your area where you could learn a new skill?
Money to get that vintage Singer up and running

Here's my list:
--Sim-flex expanding gauge
--A 20" square quilting ruler
--Variegated sewing thread (about $5/spool)
--some kind of pretty cabinet I can store my machines and notions in when I'm not using them, so they don't have to live on the kitchen table 365 days a year

But what I want most nobody can really buy me.  I'd love to have more time/motivation/experience, maybe a local sewing buddy to do stuff like duct tape doubles, etc.

Good luck!

[Dinobabe]

My mom had the same response.  I, too, was using an extra table for sewing so I asked for a sewing table.  She got me this from Wally World!  It folds in to be smaller.  Picked it up yesterday but haven't put it together.  I can't wait!

http://www.walmart.com/Sauder-Sewing-Craft-Table/ip/1984564

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

gem, I have all the books and patterns that you mentioned. Including ELIZABETH'S WARDROBE UNLOCKED.

What I would like! The Janome Memory Craft 11000. It is a sewing machine that embroiders, sews, quilts, and can embroider designs uploaded from a  computer. There is a USB hookup in the machine. It's a computer that sews!!!

Oh the Blackwork I could do!!!

[Jessi]

My list is short;

new sewing machine with embroidery capabilities
checkup and repair on my current machine (bobbin winder is broken)
bobbin winder
serger machine
gift card for fabric

[Artemisia]

Threads magazine subscription.
My daughter gets it for me every year.

[Lady L]

Well, I only need a couple of things...

A nice, big  beautiful sewing room
A friend who would help me fit myself and go shopping with me. (R just isn't very good at that.)

[Kehle]

My mom had the same response.  I, too, was using an extra table for sewing so I asked for a sewing table.  She got me this from Wally World!  It folds in to be smaller.  Picked it up yesterday but haven't put it together.  I can't wait!

http://www.walmart.com/Sauder-Sewing-Craft-Table/ip/1984564

I have this very same table. I got mine a few years back, but I enjoy it greatly. And it folds up so nicely when not in use.

[Alisoun]

I put the rotary cutting machine, bias tape maker, bobbin winder, and a slew of costuming related books on my holiday gift list.  As a help to the husband, I also put my coupons on his laptop .

[Kate XXXXXX]

Small gifts and stocking fillers:

Simflex gauge:
120" retractable tape measure
Scissor sharpener: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TSND8UZ8L._SL500_AA280_.jpg
Needle nosed oiling bottle for precision oiling:
Loop turner:


Bigger wallet nice stuff!

Bernina Victorinox sewers Swiss army knife!
Large rotary cutter and really big cutting mat!   

The silly things:
http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/mediafiles/dd/launch/index_en_UK.htm
http://www.hakasewingfurniture.com/custom.html

[Dinobabe]

My mom had the same response.  I, too, was using an extra table for sewing so I asked for a sewing table.  She got me this from Wally World!  It folds in to be smaller.  Picked it up yesterday but haven't put it together.  I can't wait!

http://www.walmart.com/Sauder-Sewing-Craft-Table/ip/1984564

I have this very same table. I got mine a few years back, but I enjoy it greatly. And it folds up so nicely when not in use.

How is the storage?  What do you put in the door pockets?  I hope to have mine together this weekend!

[meauho]

"What kind of sewing stuff" can be a really dangerous question.  You would have thought we would learn the first time when my mother ended up with a 20' quilting longarm after asking that question - however, a new addition to the house for quilting and to hold the old and new longarms, quilting machines, embroidery machine, and a couple of thousand bolts of fabric (plus all the miscellaneous extras that go with it) have proven that we just don't learn. 

All that having been said, I would highly recommend an embroidery machine that you can attach to a computer, upload an image, and have the machine do all the time consuming work is great (I use hers several times a month).  I know that there is a Singer that will do it for less than a grand (you provide the computer). 

Otherwise, for a less expensive option - patterns pertaining to a theme (like Ren).  Fabric can be a very personal thing - either to the person themselves, or more likely to a garment - and I've seen it sit around for years waiting for "just the right" use.  Lots of pattern choices can help alleviate the excess fabric that you just aren't quite sure what you want to do with.   

[Dinobabe]

All that having been said, I would highly recommend an embroidery machine that you can attach to a computer, upload an image, and have the machine do all the time consuming work is great (I use hers several times a month).  I know that there is a Singer that will do it for less than a grand (you provide the computer). 

I would LOVE to have an embroidery machine but can't justify the high price.  I have seen several less expensive models (~$1000) for sale on eBay for much less (~$200-$400) as the seller has upgraded.  Can you (or anyone) make recommendations on a cheaper but still versatile embroidery machine?  I would like to import my own designs.  Yes, I can provide the computer.   Thanks!

[VIII]

How about a grommet setting device for multiple size grommets?  A heavy-duty cutter for metal boning?
Any kind of tool for making garments that you wouldn't necessarily think of to buy for yourself.

My wife has a tool set to rival my own!

[GirlChris]

Call me strange, but I want a projector- the kind you can put over a book and blow up the image on the wall. I would put this over the teeny tiny cutting diagrams I have in my books, and make nice big full size cutting diagram. Then I would trace these onto paper, and I would have patterns. Hooray!

[meauho]

I cant really help with the low end machines. 
We have a 20 head that cost almost as much as the embroidery equipment.

It all gets paid for by turning a hobby into a business.

[Aunty Lou]

Me, I long for a good three-drawer filing cabinet for the patterns, a roll of brown craft paper, a garment steamer, a set of pressing rolls (sleeve, ham, pants & velvet board), shelving, and maybe some large, clear plastic bins to store the stash....

[Lady L]

GirlChris, I have one of those projectors, but I don't think it's accurate enough to make patterns from. You could get close, but it would still need to be adjusted.

[Hoowil]

My mom had the same response.  I, too, was using an extra table for sewing so I asked for a sewing table.  She got me this from Wally World!  It folds in to be smaller.  Picked it up yesterday but haven't put it together.  I can't wait!

http://www.walmart.com/Sauder-Sewing-Craft-Table/ip/1984564

I have that very same table! I actually had it for probably two years before I used it. I kept it folded down in a corner and would haul out the card tables to sew until this season, when my wife told me I was silly, and had me pull out the actual sewing table. I love it now, its actually pretty long, giving you lots of space to cut, in my case, even with the maching still set up on one end.

[Dinobabe]

My mom had the same response.  I, too, was using an extra table for sewing so I asked for a sewing table.  She got me this from Wally World!  It folds in to be smaller.  Picked it up yesterday but haven't put it together.  I can't wait!

http://www.walmart.com/Sauder-Sewing-Craft-Table/ip/1984564

I have that very same table! I actually had it for probably two years before I used it. I kept it folded down in a corner and would haul out the card tables to sew until this season, when my wife told me I was silly, and had me pull out the actual sewing table. I love it now, its actually pretty long, giving you lots of space to cut, in my case, even with the maching still set up on one end.

Good to know.  Thanks!
(Still haven't put it together!)

[Cilean]

Can you (or anyone) make recommendations on a cheaper but still versatile embroidery machine?  I would like to import my own designs.  Yes, I can provide the computer.

Okay so, you are not thinking outside the box. getting what you want you have to work at it, I have the Designer SE and I worked hard to attain this, but I learned something huge while achieving this.  It is the PROGRAM not the machine, you can have a lower level machine, so you DON'T need to purchase the most expensive to gain a really good look.

Okay the Programs are expensive, as much as $2,500.00.

So how does one get past this? One has to do a lot of research, get to know your dealers and figure out which one of the machines 'fits' your world. I love my Husky however my friend's admire Pfaff more and another are Bernina or nothing.  Research where Sewing Expos and Trade Shows are happening and which dealers are going to those, guess what? Those machines they have up for demos? They must sell as used and so a brand machine with less than 20 hours will be at least 1/2 price.  Many places will allow you to have 6 months or more for layaway.  So now you have a machine on layaway that is 1/2 price, now you can make this happen. 

Please though and I might be speaking out of turn but Do not buy a machine for what you are doing today, buy a machine you will be using in 5 to 10 years.  Why? Because you don't buy a machine every year (and if you do? I am jealous) why limit your creativity?

And yes I use my Embroidery Machine almost everyday, when I go to Holiday parties, I make hand towels for gifts to the Host/ess in their colors with their initials it takes a whole whopping 10 minutes and people will remember your efforts.  I make embroider bags for the SCA and I make towels for weddings.  I make trim for some people and I can do blackwork!!!  My Machine is always in use, and I kept thinking before I had an Embroidery Machine, what would I use it for? Now? I use it for every single thing I can think of!

So yep you can and should have an Embroidery Unit, yes it would be awesome and yes it can be affordable, and yes you deserve it.

Cilean

[Dinobabe]

Wow, Cilean!  Thank you for the insight.  You gave me a very different way of approaching this.

[gem]

I agree, Cilean--FANTASTIC post!  I just got a nice bonus from work, and have been giving *serious* thought about an embroidery machine.  It's a whole different animal from sewing machines, though--I *know* what I want/need a SM to do!  I'm not even sure where to start looking at embroidery machines (although I'm pretty sure I won't be needing/wanting/getting the $2500 software!  ), but I think this is one time I might be tempted by a used model.

(But this is a topic for another thread!)

[Auryn]

You guys are fantastic,
I knew I couldn't be the only one in this boat.
I wholeheartedly agree that thats an awesome post Cilean, I never even thought I could use an embroidery machine until I read that, you are such a pusher and enabler  . Say can I make trim with an embroidery machine?? hehehe

[Tixi]

I wholeheartedly approve the Simflex gauge recommendation - it's the best gift that no one knows they want.