Holiday Gift Guide for the Beginner Sewist

With Black Friday just a little over a week away it's time to start thinking about getting your holiday shopping started! To help you out, we've created a series of gift guides tailored to all the sewists in your life. Today we're starting with the all beginners on your list. Whether they are just thinking about starting to sew or have a few garments under their belt already, we've rounded 9 up gift ideas that are sure to please.

1. A Good Pair of Fabric Shears

Any experienced sewist will tell you that a good pair of fabric shears is an absolute game changer. My personal favourite are the Kai Professional 10" Shears, but if you don't want to shell out quite that much money, Kai, Gingher, and Fiskars all make excellent quality shears in the $30 - $50 price range.

 2. A Sewing Planner 

If the beginner on your list is starting to get serious about sewing their own clothes, a sewing planner makes a great gift to help them get organized. The Maker's Sewing Workbook is an excellent option with space for 25 projects, a place to sketch future designs, and a handy reference section.

3. A Sewing Class

Nothing boosts a beginner's confidence and skill set like a good sewing class or workshop. Lots of local fabric shops host a variety of classes that vary in skill level; for those who prefer to take an online class Closet Case Patterns offers a whole series of online workshops including a beginner geared Learn How to Sew Clothing Workshop.

4. Sewing Pattern Kit

Who doesn't love a good sewing kit? A kit takes all the guesswork out of the project (choosing the right fabric, hardware etc.) so you're free to get sewing/making right away. There are kits for all sorts of patterns - from quilts to lingerie - but I personally love a good bag kit like this Crescent Tote from Ruby Star Society or the Woodland Dopp Kit from Klum House

5. Magazine Subscription 

I love giving and getting magazine subscriptions because it's a gift that keeps on giving. There are numerous sewing magazines to choose from, but I personally love Making Magazine which is beautifully styled and photographed, and focuses on a variety of handcrafts including knitting, sewing, crochet, and embroidery.

6. A Gift Card to Their Favourite Fabric Store

When in doubt, a gift card from their favourite fabric store is guaranteed to be a surefire hit. 

7. A Pin Cushion

I think we can all agree that while regular old pincushions may be useful, they aren't the most exciting gift you can give. These pin cushions from Ellen Baker , The Small Circle, and Cohana, however, are handy, chic, and would make excellent gifts for the design-minded sewist in your life.

8. Seams Hand Cream

When I started sewing I was surprised at how hard it was on my hands especially during the dry winter months. I find most hand creams too oily to use while sewing, but Seams hand cream was originally created for seamstresses to help mend and moisturise their dry, pinpricked, hardworking hands without leaving an oily residue on fabrics. A thoughtful and practical gift that I wish someone had given me!

9. A Sewing Starter Kit 

For someone just starting out, a sewing kit like this one from Eversewn is a no-brainer. It has all the tools (minus the machine) they need to get started on their very first sewing project.

Bonus Stocking Stuffers:

For stocking stuffers you can't go wrong with a cute sewing themed enamel pin from Pink Coat Club, a set of Kylie and the Machine sewing labels, this beautiful Sewist Necklace from Closet Case Patterns, or pretty much anything from Merchant & Mills including a handy bamboo point turner or an adorable pair of gold fine work scissors.