Sewing Gifts for Your Favorite Seamstress - or For You!

If you're serious about sewing, you need to be serious about cutting.  And nothing cuts as well as a good pair of stainless-steel shears or scissors.  
Gingher is the best known and well-loved brand, but Kai is a good option, too. 

And, of course NEVER use these to cut paper or anything other than fabric!!

A good pair of small scissors is essential by your side at your machine. I'm not a fan of "nippers" because they are seldom sharp enough.  

These embroidery scissors, also by Gingher, are very sharp and will clip your threads cleanly, as well as clipping seam allowances along a curve.  And the stork design is classic!

Pins and needles are used on a daily basis in sewing.  Where do you put them?  In a pin cushion or needle case!

The classic tomato pin cushion is fine, but how about something a little more fun?  This little hedgehog is adorable, especially after you fill it with pins!

Needles are best kept separately from pins, because they're so easy to lose.  This "lipstick" case even comes with a few needles! And it keeps them safe. 

Not everyone uses a thimble, but I can't do hand sewing without one.  That doesn't mean it has to be plain and boring! 

This nice filigree bronze thimble is both pretty and useful. 

A tape measure is another essential item.  This one is both cute and functional, and small enough to tuck into your purse!  I carry one to use when I'm shopping, to measure clothing or other items.

And where do you put all this stuff? Into a sewing box!  A sewing box is especially useful for hand sewing and repairs.  I keep one on the shelf in my living room!  This box is an example of a conventional sewing box, but the video shows you other containers you can use. 

For a really nice gift (this one might be for you!), nothing beats a sewing machine. 

I use a very simple machine.  I have no need for a computerized machine or one with hundreds of stitches, so I'm really not familiar enough to recommend one. 

This machine, by Janome, is similar to the one I use.  It has more than enough stitches for basic sewing and is a very good starter machine (if, for example, you have a daughter learning to sew).

As an upgrade, this machine is sturdy and can sew almost anything.  Again, it has few stitches, but for clothing you don't need many.  This machine will last a very long time!