Clover Wonder Clips – At your local quilt store!
For years (and years and years) I was dedicated to the old school quilt clips that looked like metal hair clips. Flaun of I Plead Quilty finally talked me into trying them, and boy am I glad she did! These things are awesome! They are strong and can hold even pretty thick layers of fabric together (perfect for a full binding!) It eliminates pin holes and puckering. I also use mine to hole quilt blocks together for storage/transport, and to clip projects together.
I can’t thank Karen McTavish enough for showing me this ruler. I use this on my sit down APQS George machine for straight line ruler work and it’s honestly the best I have ever used. There is a (washable!!) sticky back to this ruler that makes it grip like no ruler or sticky tapes I have ever used. It leaves no residue, there is no gummy build up, and when it starts to be less “tacky” from lint/fiber buildup you just spritz it with your favorite multi-surface cleaner to loosen the lint, then rinse with warm water and let it dry. (If you’re in a hurry to keep quilting, you can use a hair dryer to speed the process!) I started with the longer ruler, and just ordered myself the short one too. I suspect for a domestic quilter, the smaller size would be most efficient. (Please don’t negate getting this just because you use a sit down or domestic machine, these things are invaluable, trust me!)
Craftsy is great! Not only can your quilter take quilt classes, but there are a myriad of other classes available in drawing, painting, photography, cooking, knitting, jewelry, gardening and more! You can gift anywhere from one to three classes in their “Gift Any Class” option.
I’m a little obsessed with these things. They are well thought out color sets, and come in a fantastic case that stacks well with more sets. Some sets have all the same weight thread, and some have mixed weights within the same set. Seriously, I LOVE these things. I wish I had one of each set to be honest! Aurifil has a hand Where to Purchase page.
Needle Threader
This is actually going on my wish list. Apparently even though the rest of me is still 27 (*cough*), my eye are ageing at a rapid rate.
Don’t Forget Someone!
Someone you might forget at the holidays? Your long arm quilter. This is the craziest time of year for them, and they are busting their asses to get your quilts done in time for you to bind them and gift them as Christmas gifts.
Their arms/backs/necks/feet/you-name-it are sore, after all those hours at their machine slaving endlessly on quilts for us all! Why not gift them some nice epsom salts or bath bombs to soothe those aching bodies this winter?
Or what about some nice new squishy socks! Sock Dreams has some fun and fancy socks to keep those tootsies warm and stylish (and maybe even funny!)
Chocolate. Need I say more?
Cash/Tip. Maybe you tip every time, or maybe not at all. The holiday season though, it might be nice to put a little extra in the envelope when you’re quilter has just busted out 2-3 quilts just for you during this holiday season. I mean, how awesome is she?
Can’t afford a gift, or don’t know her well enough? Then perhaps Maddie Kertay of Spool/BadAss Quilters Society has the perfect gift idea for you!
“I would like to know what my quilting has meant to them. What they have loved. Just a card or letter or hell, an email with real words would be so wonderful.”
In fact, regardless of another gift, why don’t we make sure and write a quick note to our quilters and let them know that what they do is very much appreciated!
What will you gift the quilter in YOUR life? What do YOU have on your wishlist this year?
IndieQuilter 