Hi y’all! Amy here. I absolutely cannot believe I am putting together another gift guide! This weird year has both dragged on and flew by and I have officially lost all sense of time. We are facing a holiday season in Montreal that is essentially banning us from seeing people other than the ones we already live with, so while I was going through these gift ideas I was eyeing a lot of them for myself… and my sanity. Whether it is sewing, crafting or labeling everything in your pantry, I tried to find things to do that would be both soothing and not a total waste of time (I’m looking at you Netflix) to do over the holidays. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some beautiful and fun ideas and gifts for the maker in your life!
TOOLS & GADGETS
- Japanese basting cotton: This is a good versatile thread for stitches that are meant to be pulled out (hand basting) and those that aren’t (visible mending). It comes in a wide variety of colours.
- Tulip basting needles: These are the BEST needles for hand basting the thread above.
- Vintage style label maker: Heather got one of these recently and has been labelling everything in sight. I love the look of the raised letters!
- Chi professional iron: I got this iron for my home studio and absolutely love it. You have to watch out though – since it is 1700W, you need to have a breaker that can handle THAT MUCH IRONING POWER.
- Clover disappearing marker: There is nothing more satisfying than drawing with purple marker on white fabric and know that it will disappear like magic in a few days. A great stocking stuffer!
- Canadian Tire pattern weights: Am I joking? Yes and no. Yes, these are hockey pucks from our fave store, but do they also make amazing pattern weights?? Sure do.
- Seam ripper: this seam ripper happens to have a “thread eraser” at the end, which makes removing stray threads as easy as rubbing it on fabric. A true miracle product.
HABERDASHERY
- Fly zipper kit: This is one from our shop but it’s a classic! If you’re making jeans, we’ve already sourced all the bits that make them look and feel professional. Nickel, brass or copper finishes! Custom jeans!
- Zippers: I love these kooky zippers! If you’re making our Blanca Flight Suit, these would totally rock.
- Tabitha Sewer buttons: If you’re looking for special buttons, this is the place. So much cute.
- Kylie and the Machine fabric labels: I think these have been in our gift guide for 5 years running but these new fabric content labels are genius! Such a lovely way to remind yourself not to throw something in the dryer.
- Hand-dyed wool: There is a lot of special wool out there, but the colourways on the skeins in this shop are just the absolute prettiest.
- Tailoring Kit: Another of our staple kits! The tailoring kit for our Jasika Blazer is a great add on if you are getting our speed tailoring course. Treat yourself to an immersive project over the holidays and start 2021 in the blazer of your dreams!
BOOKS
- Zero Waste Sewing by Elizabeth Hayword: We are a big fan of the idea of zero waste sewing and this is a great book to start with if you’re looking to try it.
- The Chiffon Trenches by Andre Leon-Talley: Andre-Leon Talley has had a fascinating life in fashion working with just about everyone in the business and he is here to tell us about it. I’m all ears!!
- Jane Austen Embroidery by Bachelor & Larkin: These are pretty and timeless motifs to add to just about anything. Maybe while watching the new Emma or some Downton Abbey?! Regency!
- Journeys in Natural Dyeing by Christine Vejar: This was a great resource for us while we were putting together our dyeing series. Super comprehensive, yet approachable techniques.
- Figure of Speech by Virgil Abloh: The fashion director for Off-White as well as artistic director at Louis Vuitton since 2018, Virgil Abloh is the first African American to be the head of a French Haute Couture house. This catalogue outlines the many projects and collaborations that have shaped his career and transformed fashion as we know it.
DIY KITS
- Embroidery kit: Whether you want a starter embroidery project to frame or to add a little jazz to a boring t-shirt this little lobster kit is the cutest.
- Rubber stamping kit: All of the kits from this Spanish brand Textures Factory are really beautiful. They look easy enough for a kid but chic enough for us big kids to enjoy too.
- Indigo Dyeing kit: This is from a Canadian dyeing school Maiwa that also has a shop. They also just started their first online classes so go check it out if you want to get into dyeing or ink making?? Sounds cool.
- DIY Leather wallet kit: I absolutely love this design for a flat wallet by the shop Nikki + Mallory. There is also a digital pattern for some cute gladiator sandals and leather remnant sales!
- FAO Swartz loom: I suppose this is for kids but I think it is gorgeous! I would love to practice my weaving skills and use up some scrap wool and yarn on this little bad boy.
- Paint Your Own Wooden Earrings kit: How fun would this be to do on a lazy afternoon?? I love the 80’s shapes of the earring bases and that would be such a pretty palette of colours to play with. How old am I??
I hope that gets your wheels turning for some gift ideas! I plan on getting a few projects together, a couple of puzzles and endless cups of hot chocolate to get me through this weird season. I hope you find some joy, some rest and some making adventures!
