Rebecca's Ultimate Etsy Gift Guide for Quilters and Crafters

 Hello, friends, and happy Nearly Thanksgiving to those of you in the United States!  Today's post is something I've never done before -- a shopping guide chock full of gift-worthy goodies that I personally would love to find under my tree on Christmas morning.  If you have quilters, sewists, or embroiderers on your shopping list this year, I have some suggestions that are sure to be received with delight.  (If YOU are the quilter/sewist/embroiderer reading this post, you may find a few items for your OWN wish list).  What's more, every item on my list is in stock and coming from a small craft business owner via Etsy -- and none of them contains those pesky microchips that are delaying just about everything else you might want to buy for the holidays this year.

A Few of My Favorite Tools

Each of the items on this list is something I personally own and love, or something I currently have on my own wish list.  Feel free to share this post with others, post on social media or wherever.  Disclaimer: this post does contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase after clicking my link.  I do appreciate your support of my wicked thread addiction!  😉

 Beautiful Tools: Where Form Meets Function

The items in this section are a pleasure to own and use because they combine the finest craftsmanship with beautiful design.  Bonus: They make great Instagram props to "style" your work-in-progress photos.

1. Hand Embroidered Felted Wool Pin Cushion from Etsy maker Martha of Quilt Shenanigans.  Who is this good for?  Anyone who does any kind of sewing at all can use a pin cushion, and these must take Martha hours to individually hand stitch and embellish with tiny beads.  Her hand stitching is exquisite, the felted wool is soft and luxurious to the touch, and the pin cushion is well-packed to hold its shape and is stable on a flat surface.  Even the slenderest pins slide in and out with ease, and she has lots of beautiful designs in stock to choose from.   

My New Favorite Pin Cushion, made by Martha of Quilt Shenanigans on Etsy 

2. Handmade, Hand Paired Embroidery Scissors from Maison Sajou.  These are manufactured by a 200-year old company in France, but available in several Etsy shops.  I got mine from Penelope Textiles' Etsy shop.  A few things to know: There are lots and lots of cheap imitations out there for a fraction of the price, but while the mass-produced knockoffs might look just as cute as photo props, there is no comparison to the way they actually cut.  It's like the difference between a Wustof steak knife versus the plastic knife that comes with your takeout order.  The lesser version SORT of cuts, but not cleanly or easily and it's not a joy to use!  Authentic Maison Sajou scissors are individually handmade by French craftsmen, with hand paired blades that are kept together throughout the entire production process to ensure that they match up perfectly. They are sharp, accurate, and cut smoothly and cleanly all the way to the tip (which is absolutely crucial for snipping the inside corner seam allowances in needle turned applique).  Who is this good for?  Anyone who enjoys any kind of hand stitching like cross stitch, embroidery, needle turned applique, or hand quilting would love to receive a pair of Sajou scissors!  In addition to the Hare design that I own, there is also a cute Eiffel tower version, gorgeous Art Nouveau Peacock scissors, and other historic reissue designs to choose from.  Of course, if you just want a cute pair of scissors for a photo prop, those cheaper knockoffs will suit you just fine!

Hand Paired Hare Embroidery Scissors from Maison Sajou, via Penelope Textiles on Etsy

3. Large 2-in-1 Seam Ripper Tool from Etsy maker Linda of Quill and Hive.  The seam ripper is the unsung hero of sewing, ensuring that no one has to get it right the first time as long as they are willing to rip it out and try again (and again, and sometimes again after that...).  Everyone who sews needs a seam ripper, and anyone who sews a LOT might need a new one because the blades do get dull.  I am loving these larger, colorful 2-in-1 seam ripper tools that I got from Quill and Hive on Etsy for several reasons.  They are AWESOME when I have hours of quilting stitches to rip out because the larger size and the smooth shape of the handle fits so comfortably in my hand.  Of course I love that she has hundreds of funky, beautiful swirling and shimmering color options to choose from, not just because it makes ripping stitches a little more enjoyable, but also because a larger, brightly-colored seam ripper is easier to spot in a drawer full of sewing notions or on a cluttered work surface.  The tool comes with a seam ripper on one end and a sharp stiletto tool on the other end, both of which store safely inside the handle when not in use, and you can also purchase a needle threader separately to swap out for either of the tools that come with the handle.  And of course, like all of the items on my list, the seam ripper is as functional as it is pretty to look at.  The tip is not too big to slide beneath small stitches, and it's nice and sharp.  The tools fit snugly and securely in the handle so there's no risk of them falling off in use, but they pull off and reverse for storage quickly and easily.  I have one of these at my long arm machine and another at each of my sewing machines so I always have a seam ripper close at hand.  

2-in-1 Seam Ripper Tools from Linda of Quill and Hive on Etsy

Fab Fabric Collections for Quilters & Crafters

1. Hand Marbled Fabric Packs from Marjorie Bevis of Inspired Marble Art on Etsy.  This is where I got those amazing marbled fabrics for my bear paw quilt "Color Outside the Lines" quilt and for my kaleidoscope quilt "Giverny Teleidoscope" that I finished earlier this year.  I even snuck some strips of Marjorie's hand marbled fabrics into my pineapple log cabin quilt "Pineapple Nostalgia."  They pair especially well with solids and the brightly colored Kaffe Fassett and Anna Maria Horner commercial fabric collections, and I'm looking forward to using up all of my little hand marbled scraps in some new applique projects that I have planned for 2022...  Stay tuned!

Inspired Marble Art's Fabrics Mixed with Batiks in my Giverny Teleidoscope Quilt

3. Free Spirit Fabrics' Kaffe Fassett Collective Precut Fabric Assortments.  If the quilter on your list enjoys working with the bright colors and vivid florals from the Kaffe Fassett Collective, you can't go wrong with a fat quarter or charm pack assortment like this one from Etsy seller Quilting By Rita.  I've personally ordered from Rita's shop in the past and can attest to her speedy shipping and attention to customer service, but there are lots of other small online fabric shops on Etsy who are also stocking these collections.  I often turn to Etsy when I'm searching for a specific out of print fabric as well.

August 2021 Kaffe Fassett Assortment in Dark, from Etsy seller Quilting by Rita 

4. Free Spirit Fabrics Anna Maria Horner Precut Fabric Assortments. With a slightly (ever SO slightly!) more subdued color palette and gloriously retro-chic floral inspiration, Anna Maria's fabrics mix well with Kaffe Fassett prints, solids, and vintage-inspired projects.  I'm especially loving the moody vibe of this Love Always fabric bundle in Sojo Fabrics' Etsy shop.

Anna Maria Horner's Love Always Fabric Bundle, from Sojo Fabrics on Etsy

Now, I know some of you might be thinking -- wait, aren't I supposed to support my LOCAL quilt shops instead of buying fabric online?  Well, I am definitely in favor of shopping local when I can and there is nothing like browsing and petting the fabric in person.  However, if your husband/kids/others shopping for you are anything like mine, they are much more likely to buy you fabric for the holidays if you make it a super easy online purchase where they know they are getting you fabric you will really use versus the fabric someone at the quilt shop said you would like!  The nearest quilt shop to me is 30 minutes away even without holiday traffic, and my husband and sons don't even want to set foot in the door.  When my husband was a child, he stuck his finger down his throat and forced himself to vomit in a fabric store once, just to end the agony of waiting for my MIL to finish her shopping!   😱   Also, I know several people who own and operate one-woman Etsy fabric stores from home.  They are hard-working, dedicated small business owners providing the best service possible with a personal touch, and often they are young moms whose income from their online stores makes it possible for them to stay home with preschool children.  I don't shop online INSTEAD of shopping local; I think both business models have value and are worthy of my support.

And by the way, in case you're a shopper who is worried that your beloved quilter might already own the Kaffe Fassett or Anna Maria Horner fabrics you're purchasing?  Doesn't matter.  These prints are so coveted and collectible that, no matter how much yardage I buy, it's always a Day of Mourning when I use up the last little scrap of a favorite print and can't get anymore of it.  Out of Print Kaffe Fassett Iris & Peony in Red, I am talking about YOU!  :-(

Just For Fun

Last but not least, I am crushing on these custom vinyl "skins" for current model Bernina machine faceplates, from Bridgette Culpepper of Creations at Windy Hill on Etsy.  These vinyl adhesive decals make any Bernina look like a fancy Limited Edition model, and can easy be removed and replaced if you grow tired of the design.  There are lots of colors and patterns to choose from and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive.  Check out photos like this one that have been uploaded by happy purchasers.  The only reason I haven't ordered one of these skins yet for my plain white Bernina 475QE is that I can't make up my mind which design to choose. I'm leaning towards this Flower design in Red:  

Custom Vinyl Bernina "Skin" by Bridgette of Creations at Windy Hill on Etsy

Alright, y'all -- I could go on and on and on with this, but computer time is done for the day so I can get the house ready for Thanksgiving!  But I'd love to hear from you -- which of the items on my list are you planning to add to your Wish List?  Do you have any favorite gifty items for stitchers that I should add to my list?

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving to those who are celebrating.