Beginner sewing gift?

[Goofygirl17]

I got DD13 a sewing machine for Christmas and am trying to figure out what to get to go with it. She has some fabric already that she got to make animals last year but never got around to (my machine isn't working well).

Thinking I would like to make a gift basket of some kind to go with the sewing machine- any ideas?

Thanks!!

PS- she is a beginner- took an afterschool class and made a simple tote bag.

 

[Miz Diz]

Some different colors of threads, a couple of scissors, turning tool, elastic, buttons, seam ripper. A cutting mat with the measurements on it. Measuring tape. Ruler in the sewing dept. Gift card to Joann's, Walmart (if they have a sewing dept), or Hobby Lobby. Some patterns. Joann's usually has some for $1.99 or 99Cents. Rickrack and bias tape. steam a seam, tracing paper.

A must is disappearing ink pens that are water solueable and the white marking pencils for dark fabrics.

You can probably find her a beginners sewing book that has some patterns in it.

 

[LJSquishy]

Get her any basic sewing notions and tools she might need starting out (such as the items the other poster mentioned).

I am a beginning sewer and I desperately want a rotary cutter and self-healing cutting mat. Also, how about a spool holder for all of the different threads she will soon have? Another awesome item would be a disappearing ink pen for marking on the fabric (it disappears after 24-48hrs or add a drop of water and it disappears immediately).

Edited to add: She will also need pins if you didn't buy them already, and she may like a pin cushion for them (I prefer to keep mine in the case). You can even get her a little plastic Rubbermaid type organizer with little drawers (Walmart, Target) for her to keep a few of the little items in.

 

[Soulsearching]

I got DD13 a sewing machine for Christmas and am trying to figure out what to get to go with it. She has some fabric already that she got to make animals last year but never got around to (my machine isn't working well).

Thinking I would like to make a gift basket of some kind to go with the sewing machine- any ideas?

Thanks!!

PS- she is a beginner- took an afterschool class and made a simple tote bag.

JCpenny has a handmade 42 piece sewing basket for $30. The colors of the basket are perfect for her age.

 

[magik]

Nice fabric scissors, pins/pin cushion, extra bobbins, some different colored thread, measuring tape, and some method for marking fabric (water soluble marker, etc). Perhaps a book with beginner sewing projects or a few easy patterns.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

Quality thread helps keep your sewing machine humming along. I would suggest Gutterman's in basic colors. Also some quality large and small scissors, pin cushion and pins. That will get her started.

I have found it hard to find quality fabric at the large chain stores. Another alternative is to hit Goodwill, and have her experiment with taking clothes apart, to make something else. For instance use the bottom of a dress to make a bag. Or use an old bed sheet to make a dress. Great way to help get her started.

Do a search on Upcycling Sewing. There are lots of books that show this technique.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I think Jo-Ann's sells "loaded" sewing baskets, which would be a nice start. In addition, they're having their "coupon commotion" going on this week, so you can use 1 coupon per item, for multiple items, to get any additional notions (like extra needles). Be sure to check their remnant bin for interesting finds--lots of fleece in there now, plus a lot of fancy fabrics.

Some notions I find really helpful:

pins with the colored ball heads (easy to keep track of)
magnetic pin holder
see-thru ruler (in addition to a tape measure)
safety pins
extra machine needles in various sizes
good quality scissors
bobbins (you can buy these pre-wound or empty)
seam ripper

 

[Samar]

This is what I gifted myself as a beginner sewer (I'm 28. lol)

http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-School-Projects-Kids-Will/dp/1603425780

It's really straight forward and builds confidence to think outside the box

 

[zoemurr]

and a pattern to make pj pants.

Where is she going to keep the machine? One year DH got me a rolling tote that I love from JoAnn's. It fits the machine, and has two other boxes for thread and fabric. Pockets for scissers on the side.

With a 50% coupon I think they are very reasonable. Keeps everything together and portable. Especially if she will ever bring the machine to a sewing class.

You might also want to find her some fun socks.. DD is making sock monkeys for Christmas gifts and they are coming out very cute.

 

[Goofygirl17]

Thank you!!

 

[Sandy321]

another beginner sewer here -

a place I found for classes is www.craftsy.com! register with them, they have sales frequently sent to the email!

oh just checked - there are free beginner classes!!

http://www.craftsy.com/classes/sewing

 

[branv]

I started learning how to sew last year, and our sewing teacher gave us a list of "must haves". Of these, the things that I ended up using the most, that are a little different than what you've already seen:

*tiny clipper scissors -- I find that these are far more my workhorse than the big scissors. It seems like such an incidental thing, but I've found that while the regular scissors are vital in the very beginning for cutting out your pattern/fabric, I mostly need scissors for the many tiny tasks during the actual sewing. It is a PAIN to try and maneuver the big scissors for those small tasks, in a limited space. They're too big to keep close at hand, they're very bulky to maneuver when clipping close threads and it is SO EASY to accidentally snip through your fabric with the big scissors.

*A case for holding the million little things -- but forego the little cute sewing basket for something more functional. I ended up getting a tool box with multiple levels that can hold everything from my scissors and rulers, to the thread. I then I use old prescription bottles to hold sewing needles, pins, filled bobbins. I can carry it with me anywhere I want and easily store it away.

*splurge for the ergonomic seam ripper. It seems that's the #1 tool all sewers use, right? Goodness how your hand can cramp!

*One of my favorite finds was mechanical pencil that actually holds chalk. It's a softer chalk than the chalk pencils that you can sharpen, so it's a lot easier to make marks on all kinds of fabric. PLUS, it comes with a bunch of colors so, for example, you can switch it to a dark chalk on lighter fabrics and vice versa. LOVE IT. http://www.amazon.com/Bohin-Mechani...r=8-4&keywords=chalk+pencil+sewing+mechanical

*some glass-headed pins that she can use if she wants to iron with the pins in

*hem gauge

*pressing cloth

If you want to launch her into beginner clothing sewing, Sew What Skirts is a really easy/neat book. Another cute one for projects is One Yard Wonders.

 

[poohfriend77]

When I got my sewing machine, someone suggested I get some striped fabric from the remnant/clearance bin. I just folded it in half and practiced sewing straight lines, experimenting with the different stitches. The stripes helped me sew straight as I was getting the hang of it. She may be past this, if she's taken a class, but it was a useful tip for a true beginner.

 

[3boymthr]

A basket or box with a lid to store those lovely notions. Especially one with separate compartments for thread. Also a pin cushion. Otherwise those little suckers will magically roll away and end up in someone's foot A pincushion also helps to keep rust and other debris off of pins.

Although I must say the pin cushion is a sewing essential which makes a GREAT beginers project. A few scraps, stitched together to make a small square or rectangular pillow (I go for about 5"x5" or 4"x5") and filled tightly with a bunch of cotton or wool batting (possibly weighted on the bottom with some dried buckwheat) and voila - pincushion.

 

[thebeesknees]

She'll need various types and sizes of needles. Standard 90/14 work for most woven fabrics, but she will need ballpoint needles for sewing on knits. You can usually get variety packs. There is something called a universal needle that is supposed to work on both knits and wovens, but I have found that my machine does not like them and do better with the specific needles required for my project. A bobbin case with extra bobbins would be good so she can keep bobbins for all her colors ready. Guterman thread is very good, although it is more expensive than Coats & Clark, but it does a much better job and doesn't shred like C&C can. A variety pack of buttons would be nice, but not necessary, depending on what she will be making. A good pair of Gingher or Fiskars scissors is a must. How about a gift card so she can take another class to make pajama pants or whatever and learn to use her machine? I hope she'll have a blast with it. I am just starting to teach my DD8 to sew and she loves it. It's a great skill to have!