Really useful gifts for sewists
I love the festive season, there’s no doubt about it. Mulled wine? Yup. Mince pies? Double yup. Excessive gifting and waste? No thank you! That’s why this year I’ve teamed up with a series of experts to bring you the ultimate low-impact gift guides. Giving presents is really fun, but it’s more important than ever that we make sure that we’re giving people gifts that they’d really love to receive, and won’t end up going straight to landfill. Let’s try to change the meaning of giving - some of the best gifts I’ve ever received have been non-traditional ones that you’d never see in the pages of a catalogue, but they’ve been absolutely perfect for me. I try to do the same when choosing gifts for other people, but it can be hard to know what to choose. That’s why I’ve teamed up with some of the most knowledgeable people around to find out what they think are the must-haves for 2019!
Today I’m teaming up with Joy from Pink Coat Club to bring you a collection of really useful gifts for people who love to sew! Joy is a legend on the sewing scene, and designs unique, colourful accessories that celebrate creativity and fun. When she’s not busy with Pink Coat Club, she loves dressmaking, tea and cuddles with Luna the cat.
I was delighted when Becky asked me to recommend some gifts for sewists as it combines two of my favourite things: gifts and sewing! I have received numerous sewing kits over the years from well-meaning friends and colleagues who know I sew. However, I already own endless sewing supplies and don't have much need for pocket-sized versions! Hopefully this list will provide you with some slightly more imaginative gifts for the sewing-enthusiast in your life, or some ideas for your own Christmas list.
1 : Sewing gifts from Pink Coat Club
I know I'm a little biased, but I hope any sewist would be thrilled to receive a gift from my shop. I've always believed in designing things I wished existed and everything I sell is something I'd love to receive myself. I've collaborated with some fellow small businesses this year and have expanded my product range to include headbands, notepads and sew-in labels for clothes and quilts. I also sell enamel pins, key chains and sticker packs, which make great stocking-fillers.
2: Fabric shop gift vouchers
A gift voucher for a fabric shop may not sound like a particularly exciting gift, but I think you'd be hard-pushed to find a sewist who doesn't want more fabric! My favourites are Escape and Create, Like Sew Amazing and Sew Me Sunshine (online only).
3: Sewing tools from Merchant & Mills
While I'd suggest steering clear of sewing kits, high quality sewing tools will go down a treat with most sewists. My favourite brand is Merchant and Mills and I wouldn't be without my bamboo point turner and glass-headed pins. You can pick up little bits and bobs from as little as £2.50 but they also sell beautiful sewing kits for bags and jeans if you've got more to spend.
4: Sewing prints by Woah There Pickle
I couldn't resist including these beautiful sewing-themed lino cuts and foiled prints by Woah There Pickle. I have the "measure twice" design as a tote bag and I just adore the detail and Vicky's quirky illustrative style.
5 : Sewing accessories from Cepheid Studio
Becky makes beautiful sewing-themed wooden jewellery and I receive so many compliments every time I wear my scissors necklace. I love that her seam allowance earrings come with a choice of metric of imperial measurements! She makes all of her laser-cut jewellery in her studio in Paris and the quality and presentation is top notch. FYI she didn't ask me to include her in this gift guide, I just really love her designs!
Bonus: Beeswax wrap kits by Like Sew Amazing
I'm always looking for creative and useful ways to use up my fabric scraps, and love the look of these beeswax wrap kits by Like Sew Amazing. Using up scraps and replacing cling film makes this a double whammy of a sustainable gift too!
Thanks so much to Joy for choosing such fab wholesome gifts - you can catch up with her on Instagram and at pinkcoatclub.com!