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Top 5 Gifts for Quilters
Think of a groundbreaking achievement that has been undertaken by humanity. What made any of those inventions or achievements possible? Knowing what they needed and doing their very best.
Besides the visionary mind behind the project, we often find that propellant in the success of an invention was that the inventor was equipped with the right tools with which to carry to completion the task at hand. Trying to work without the proper tools might end with the task being done, but it might be a lot more difficult and you might not end up with the quality you wanted.
We know the same is true for quilters. When it comes to creating your quilted masterpiece, having the right tools can either make or break your project. Anyone with a quilter for a friend should learn a little about what types of gift ideas can make that friend smile.
Maybe you're a quilter looking for the perfect gift for a fellow quilting friend or you're a loved one of a quilter who's clueless about the perfect gift for that person in your life. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of quilting abilities, you should know that high-quality gifts can make the DIY process a lot simpler.
No matter what you know about quilting, we can all agree that quality matters. No quilter wants to get a project completed and realize it doesn't look like it should or has noticeable defects. Because of this, everyone who quilts wants to be able to use quality tools and products that help to make their project the best it can be.
Put simply, having quality quilting tools to complete your project links directly to a desirable, quality finished product. This is especially important for quilters who are going to present their quilting projects as gifts, including those who make Christmas or birthday gifts for their loved ones and friends.
If you want to make your quilter’s day by providing them with the perfect gift, keep reading! These ideas are some of the best gifts you can give to your favorite quilter.
1. Gift Cards
As diverse and colorful as the selection of fabric is in a quilt shop, the quilters who frequent that quilt shop are just as diverse. Giving a gift card isn't a unique gift, but it's often one crafters truly appreciate because they can purchase whatever they want or need.
Whether it's because they prefer a specific type of technique or their dedication to a line of quilting tools when in doubt, gift cards are always a great option! Some quilters even save gift cards to combine for higher dollar purchases.
So take some of the pressure off about getting the “perfect gift” and simply give the quilter in your life the ability to pick out a great gift for themselves! They may look around their sewing room and realize they're missing specific gadgets that could make their projects a bit easier and more unique.
Gift cards also make shopping easy because they can be used both in-store and online. Being able to shop online opens up a world of possibilities since there may be more of a selection online for some items, such as embroidery machines, than in stores.
And if your quilter can’t get out of the house, giving them the ability to shop from the comfort of their home is a valuable gift. They might be able to find unique patterns and fabrics to use for their quilts. In some cases, this type of thoughtful gift will enable a homebound quilter to continue with the craft they love.
Giving quilting gift cards is a great way to show you care about helping them get exactly what they want. They also make great stocking stuffers, and you can even mail or email them to a loved one with a nice note to commemorate a special event.
Maybe you could even make a day of it and take your quilting loved one to Stitchin’ Heaven or your local quilt shop! A gift card lets you control how much you contribute without limiting how much your loved one spends. They'll know they need to cover anything over the gift card amount.
Just be prepared to pull a shopping cart around for a while and pleasantly nod and agree as they ooh and ahh over all the unique finds they’re sure to make. But just think of the lifelong memories you’ll be making — those are truly the most memorable thing you can give.
2. Cutting Tools
So much of a quilter's project is made up of cutting. These cuts must be precise so the project looks nice. Because of this, cutting tools are always a useful gift.
A rotary cutter is never too far away if a project is underway. Every quilter knows the horror of finding out their favorite cutter is no longer working. Some quilters rely on them so much that they always have spare blades, and sometimes even spare cutters, hanging around the quilting room.
The importance of having a quality rotary cutter and replacement blades simply can’t be overstated. Whether the quilter uses a cutter with a stainless steel blade, a titanium blade, or a blade made of another metal, it's always a good idea to have spares. Plus, having a quality rotary cutter with sharp blades protects the cutting mats.
Can I get an “amen” from the quilters?
As a sturdy table saw is to someone who works in carpentry or woodworking, so a rotary cutter is a vital tool to a quilter. Many quilters have a favorite style or brand, so it can often be a challenge to give this as a gift unless you know exactly what they want and need.
The 45mm Olfa Heavy Duty Rotary was introduced to the sewing industry in 1979 and is still the most popular size available on the market! It's a versatile tool that's useful in almost every quilting project.
A straight and durable handle is a well-known feature of this particular rotary cutter, and it's perfect for either a right-handed or left-handed cutter.
Olfa is also recognized as one of the leading brands for its replacement rotary blades, which will eventually be needed by any quilter throughout their project.
Olfa blades can cut up to six layers of fabric and are made from the highest quality steel, known for its unparalleled sharpness and superior edge retention.
Olfa cutting tools are always a great quality gift choice for your quilter! This brand is known for its consistent durability is always a welcome addition for any seamstress or quilter.
So far, we've emphasized the importance of quality when looking for tools to give your quilter, but let’s be real: That's not the only thing that matters when it comes to finding the perfect gift.
While it remains supremely important, we must also recognize that just as quilters are creative, fun, and unique in their approach to a project, the same is true when choosing tools. Some opt to use more than one style fabric cutter, depending on the specifics of their projects.
Having tools as fun as your fabric makes a project so much more enjoyable as well as simpler. It also helps provide the quilter with the ability to create projects that look appealing.
Now that you know a little about cutting tools, it’s important to know that your cutting surface is just as important when it comes to quality.
3. The Best Cutting Mats for Quilters and Sewers
Martelli’s Large Contrasting Cutting Mats are top of the line and trust us, having one is every quilter's dream. The cutting mat a quilter uses has a direct impact on the quality of the project, so it's imperative to have one that's good quality and in good condition. Many quilters opt to have more than one cutting mat.
The durability and value offered by Martelli cutting mats, as well as their unique self-healing properties, makes this product one that's worth the investment. These mats are known for lasting a long time, so they're worth the cost.
The rotating cutting mat from Martelli is also phenomenal. Experienced quilters know they should explore various types of cutting mats for different projects. The rotating mat is great for projects involving the Scrap Crazy 8” template.
Also, if you wear out the rotating mat, all you have to do is replace the mat and not the base. You can watch a tutorial if you need help doing this. Being able to replace only the mat can save a quilter a lot of money since the base is often the more costly component.
While we're on the subject of cutting mats, it's imperative to remember that Omnigrid quilting rulers are another good gift for quilters. You aren't likely to find just one quilting ruler in a quilting room. Different rulers have different properties the quilter can utilize. Straight lines and angles are two of the more common types of lines you'll find on these rulers.
4. Irons & Ironing Systems
If you’re not a quilter, you’ve probably underestimated the importance of ironing in a project. Ironing the components of the quilt, whether the quilter is using a T-shirt, fat quarter, or other material, helps ensure the quilt is pieced together correctly and won't begin to look shabby quickly.
Not only is ironing a crucial part of quilting but having the right ironing system to make it efficient and safe for the material is just as important. Some quilters like full-size irons, but having a mini iron is usually beneficial for smaller areas. When you're considering irons for a quilter, make sure you review the safety features of each option.
Our top two irons/ironing systems are these:
1. Oliso Micro Fine Smart Iron
The Oliso Micro Fine Smart Iron prevents scorching, accidental tipping, and burning. Its digitally controlled temperature control technology protects both you and your fabric. You can use this iron with steam or without, so it's suitable for any quilting project and won't scorch or damage the fabric. The user only has to ensure they're setting the iron according to the fabric's requirements.
2. Panasonic 360 Freestyle Cordless with Ceramic Plate
This 360-degree multidirectional cordless steam iron with its ceramic soleplate cordless design allows for free movement and no cord snags! Since this iron can go in any direction, you don't have to worry about messing up the material by having to iron against the grain. Instead, you can go along with the fabric to reduce the risk of damaging something delicate.
The nonstick surface offered by the ceramic soleplate helps this iron glide smoothly over fabrics. This iron is also equipped with a vertical steam feature that de-wrinkles hanging garments. A quilter who's going to sell or display their quilts might find this feature useful to ensure they look their best while hanging.
5. Bernina Quilters Edition Sewing Machines
The Bernina Quilters Edition sewing machines have everything a quilter could want in a sewing machine and more! These are versatile machines that put the quilter fully in charge of the project by enabling them to handle multiple tasks with only one machine.
The Bernina 570 Quilters Edition can do it all — sew, quilt, and embroider. This makes it a useful piece of equipment from the start of the project to the end.
The touchscreen makes changing between modes easy. If your quilting loved one is into embroidery, the Bernina 570 comes with 50 embroidery designs to choose from, as well as letting them upload their embroidery designs through the USB connection.
The Bernina 770 Quilter Edition combines the innovation Bernina is known for with plenty of space. The extended free-arm creates an extra-wide work area that allows you to work with bigger projects more easily than ever before.
Some quilters have small quilting rooms, which means space is at a premium. Gifting them a sewing machine specifically made for quilters also gives them more space to work in. They can then add other items to the room and open up more possibilities for the craft they love.
Conclusion
We hope this post helped you get some inspiration for the perfect gift for the quilter in your life. Your loved one's projects are more special to them than you’ll ever know, and showing interest in their creative process is truly invaluable to them. So we hope you find a gift that's as special as they are!