Are you out of inspiration for end-of-year gifts for yourself, your wife, your grandma, your sister, your cousin... Their common point is that they sew or would like to learn to sew? Then look no further, I had fun compiling the best gifts to give or to get so you won't be disappointed at midnight under the tree, at the moment of the big unwrapping! 

I have been sewing for years now and every year at holiday time people ask me: "but what would make you happy?"... I have to tell you that even after all these years, I still find things to keep me busy 😂 and enrich my collection of tools to make sewing easier. 

So let's go for the wise gift choice! 

1. A pair of good scissors

A pair of "good" cutting scissors is truly a must-have for every respectable seamstress. I am very demanding when it comes to cutting because it is essential for the success of your sewing projects. 

For me, a good pair of scissors must have good blades, a comfortable handle, and above all must be sharpenable. 

There are very big scissor brands, especially the Japanese ones like Kaï, Clover... for which you will need a certain budget. In the shop, we found a brand with a very good quality-price ratio. We use the black titanium for cutting and after 1.5 years of intensive and daily use, they still cut just as well... in short, we are delighted. Plus, they also come in left-handed version so Marie Hélène also has hers!

We also chose high-quality scissors with an excellent quality/price ratio. 

Céline fell for the glitter roses and uses them for all her sewing projects. 

Beyond the cutting scissors, I also recommend purchasing embroidery scissors whose designs are super nice but above all very useful for cutting details. I use them daily for trimming, clipping, opening buttonholes... For me, it's the foundation of the sewing box!

Budget cutting scissors: from €25 to .... no limit

Budget embroidery scissors: from €9/10

2. Marking tools

In the same vein as scissors, another essential in the sewing box that is very useful is the family of marking tools. The all-time classic is the chalk pen. I also use it daily to mark darts, reference points...

I really like the chalk pencil system where you can change the lead color and especially that is reusable. You can buy refills without having to throw away your pencil and that is really important. 

Another classic for me and for more experienced seamstresses is the buttonhole ruler. When you start making shirts, dresses with snap openings, ... the buttonhole ruler is a must-have to mark the spaces between buttonholes and buttons. No more misalignment and a perfect shirt comes out of your machine! 

Budget chalk: around €15

Budget buttonhole ruler: around €29

3. Storage tools

Well, it's nice to have lots of equipment but at some point you have to be able to store it, otherwise your workshop or your dining table will look like a real mess. 

I really like the idea of the wooden sewing box that you can easily carry from the workshop to the couch (to do hems by hand or sew buttons sitting comfortably, some will recognize themselves 😂). 

My grandmother had a big one and it's a somewhat nostalgic object... anyway, you got it, the little sewing box is really great to give or to receive. 

A really nice tool too is the spool holders. Indeed, when you start sewing a little, a lot, passionately... you have lots of threads... and you have lots of bobbins that get tangled... anyway, the spool holder isn't a very glamorous gift but it's very practical!

There is also the small magnetic or pin cushion skein, super practical! 

Workbox budget: from €40
Bobbin and skein budget range: from €5

4. A pattern or patterns

Giving one or more patterns is also a great idea. However, be careful to know the person's clothing tastes and sewing level. There is no point in buying an expert pattern for a beginner in sewing, especially if the pattern's style does not please them. 

I took the liberty of making a small selection among the patterns I find nice to offer at the end of the year (without taking too much risk):  

- the travel bag and Eugène from Ikatee 
- the fanny pack from Atelier Brunette
- the Namaste coat (for the more advanced) and the Ninon jacket (for intermediates) from Coralie Bijasson
- the Hathor jacket and the Rainbow sweatshirt from Iam Patterns
- the elegant shirt or the dreamer pajamas from Les Beaux Gosses 
- the pretty George dress from Atelier Bernie
- the Monceau cardigan and the Ségur top from Cozy little world
- ...

Pattern budget: from €15 for the printed and €9.5 for the PDFs

5. A course

Whether you are a beginner or advanced, learning new techniques can be great! Plus, group courses allow you to meet other enthusiasts and exchange ideas. It gets us out of our comfort zone a bit and sometimes gives us wings for techniques that are more complicated. 

A super nice course that is very popular are our serger discovery workshops. To participate, you need an intermediate sewing level. 

Another nice course is the fabric discovery where even a beginner level person can participate. 

Courses budget: from €35

6. Labels to customize all your sewing projects

A smaller budget gift but that makes people very happy are customizable labels. I must say that at the workshop we are quite fans. We use them to decorate our bags and sewing projects. 

There are packs of 5 of the same labels or mixes. 

Budget: from €2.5 to €7.5 per pack

7. A thread cutter jewelry or a magnetic needle case

They are little essentials in my sewing box. I love the thread cutter to wear as jewelry that I take with me every time I go on vacation. It passes airport security and allows me to sew and embroider on the plane. 

The magnetic needle case also goes everywhere with me. Without it, I’m always looking for my needle and losing it constantly! In short, my thread cutter and my needle case have become essentials in my sewing and embroidery box. 

Thread cutter budget: about €20

Needle case budget: €8.9

8. A pretty printed needle case for hand sewing

Bohin releases needles in collector packaging and each time the printed are super beautiful. Some seamstresses even like to collect them. 

We really like them at the workshop and it's always nice to receive a beautiful and useful object! 

Printed budget: €4.3

9. A sewing machine or a serger

Among the expensive gifts, there is of course the sewing machine and the serger... and that's quite a budget but what a joy to unwrap your new toy under the tree! 

In short, if you want to score points gentlemen, ladies... just break your piggy bank! 

Machine budget: no limit 😂

10. A gift voucher

Finally, for those out of inspiration, the gift voucher remains a great option. People can use them for supplies, courses... to use all at once or several times 😊. 

There you go, I hope you liked these gift ideas! 

and until then... get your needles ready!