GIFT GUIDE

Need help choosing a gift for someone creative?

We’ve made shopping for others easier. It helps to know what kind of crafts they enjoy, but if you are unsure there are general items that suit most crafts.

Check out the gift suggestions below that are grouped by category.

When in doubt you can always give them a gift voucher so they can pick something for themselves!

GIFTS FOR KIDS

Always supervise kids when using sharp tools or small items like buttons.

4-8 YEARS

Kids in this age bracket are generally interested in projects that can be completed quickly and are best to avoid using scissors and other sharp tools too much.

9-14 YEARS

Late primary to early highschool kids are capable of sewing simple projects and using more tools.

15 YEARS +

Kids this age are better able to follow more detailed sewing patterns and independently use tools without assistance.

GIFTS FOR SEWERS

Lets start with sewers. There are many different types of sewing and each type has specific tools. There are some items that all sewers can use too. Items like fabric scissors, unpickers, pin holders and rulers are quite universal to most fabric crafts.

The below descriptions are general and some do overlap. Many sewers will have more than one machine or hand sewing hobby.

MACHINE SEWERS – WOVEN

  • Use a standard sewing machine to sew non-stretchy fabric. May also use an overlocker.
  • Make items from cotton dresses to calico bags.

MACHINE SEWERS – KNIT

  • Prefer stretchy fabric and predominantly use an overlocker & coverstitch machine.
  • Make items like tights, swimwear or t-shirts.

MACHINE SEWERS – INDUSTRIAL

  • Use a much larger sewing machine.
  • Can make items like wallets and bags or clothing.

MACHINE SEWERS – EMBROIDERY

  • Use an embroidery machine to decorate fabric with thread.
  • Can make small items like teddies, keyrings and other in the hoop items.

MACHINE SEWERS – QUILTING

  • Sew with quilting cottons.
  • Mostly make patchwork quilts, but can still sew items listed in the WOVEN category.

HAND SEWERS – ALL

  • Cross stitch – using a hoop and white checked backing fabric.
  • Patchwork – joining small pieces of fabric together.

GIFTS FOR YARN LOVERS

CROCHETERS

  • Use a crochet hook to make items with any type of yarn.
  • Can make blankets, beanies, cardigans, bonnets, booties, toys and more.
  • Crocheters are often split into 2 main interests, though some will switch make both.
    Group 1 prefer to work with thin cotton yarn to make teatowel toppers, doilies, string bags and other intricate items.
    Group 2 more commonly use an 8-10ply thicker yarn in a wool or acrylic to make blankets, hats, scarves and other clothing.

KNITTERS

  • Use two knitting needles to make things from any type of yarn.
  • Can make jumpers, throws, beanies, socks and much more.
  • Knitters interests can vary a lot. Knitting is less free-form than crochet so following patterns and keeping notes is important.

 

GIFTS FOR OTHER CRAFTS

SCRAPBOOKERS / PAPERCRAFT

From using a paper cutting or die cut machine to cut out bombonniere boxes to slicing strips for quilling. There are a lot of things that papercrafters can make.
Equipment can be very pricey so gifting nice supplies like paper, glue or embellishments like ribbon can be more practical.

MACRAME

Making wall hangings to cushion covers, pouffes, baskets or floor mats, macrame is the art of using fine ropes to create something useful and decorative.
As this craft does not use a tool, macrame cord is their main consumable.

HOT GLUE

Everything from decor to hair accessories can be made with a hot glue gun.

For these kinds of makers, it is often more useful to gift them supplies such as ribbons/buttons to work with.