Whether for Christmas and birthdays or Mothers and Fathers day, there are many reasons why you may be gift hunting for the special person in your life who is becoming interested in sewing.
However, knowing which sewing gifts are beginner friendly is not as easy as you’d expect if you’re someone who doesn’t sew at all. And it is for this reason that I created this guide of the five best sewing gifts for the sewing beginner.
You’ll find useful (and wanted!) gift ideas that are perfect for sewing beginners, whether that’s your Mom, your Dad, your husband or your wife, friend or work colleague – there’s plenty of beginner friendly sewing gifts here for you to choose from.
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that I may receive a fee at no extra cost to you if you purchase a recommended product. I only recommend items I have experience with.
Sewing Gift Ideas
Sewing can easily become a very expensive hobby, and a sewing beginner who is determined to develop their sewing skills will thank you for any gift that is sewing related that they’ve been eyeing up but hesitant to buy, and these are usually the larger or more expensive items on their wishlist.
1. Sewing Machine
Generally, this is something I suggest people stay clear of when buying a gift for a sewing beginner, afterall, it’s impossible to know all the things to consider when buying one.
That said, I also know that when my other half David bought me a vintage hand cranked Singer sewing machine for Christmas one year, I was over the moon.
So, the only four machines I would recommend for a sewing beginner are:
- Singer 66 hand cranked sewing machine – these are available on sites like Etsy and eBay, just do your research before buying a used sewing machine, as the first my other half picked up was only good for parts (yes, I have two of these for that reason alone)
- Brother HD Strong and Tough – this sewing machine will work well for beginners who aren’t yet set on which fabrics they may work with, and Brother are another sewing machine brand that I have had very good experiences with
- Bernette 35 – made by Bernina which is the main sewing machine brand that I myself use and love
- This Brother machine which I bought and did an in-depth review of is an amazing beginner friendly sewing machine!
2. Sewing Tote Bag
Not quite a tool, but used to keep a sewing machine safe and protected, the sewing tote bag is something every sewer would love for their sewing machine but few actually feel comfortable splashing the cash on.
- Everything Mary deluxe – this is a great option for those who may want to take their sewing machine with them to sewing classes or meetup events as it’s not too bulky, has wheels and a handle, and comfortably fits many of the most common sewing machines available
- La Canilla – this version doesn’t have wheels but has zips on the back which when opened allow your sewing beginner to pass the bag over the telescopic handles of their suitcase, making it great for transporting a sewing machine further afield. I love Canilla products, they’ve always worked out well for me
- Everything Mary Cheetah – another appearance from Everything Mary, but for good reason. This rolling sewing machine tote is collapsible making it easy to store away when not needed and also looks great too!
The great thing about a sewing tote is that it also encourages us to sew outside of the home. I myself only take my sewing machine out the house when I have it in my tote for safety, and doing so allows me to spend time with like minded people who love to sew too!
3. Fabric Scissors
For those who don’t sew, there’s often great shock that we sewers might want scissors that are used only for cutting fabric, and that we might pay plenty of money for that luxury on top. Well, the reason is that fabric scissors are created in a way that allows us to make long cuts in one go – the blades are longer, they’re also sharper and made from a higher quality metal for a more precise cut.
Then there’s the handle shaping, allowing us to get the blade closer to the table for a more accurate cut too.
Here are the three best fabric scissors that I use and would recommend as a sewing gift for sewing beginners:
- Kai stainless steel shears – my main fabric scissors are Kai, and I love them. They’ve not needed sharpening yet after several years of use, and they’re also comfortable to cut fabric with
- Mundial carbon steel shears – My Mundial shears are my second go to scissors, because they are heavy to use and take some practise to get the cleanest cut when cutting out fabric
- Gingher stainless steel shears – these are my final suggestion when it comes to scissors as a sewing gift, they’re reliable and easy to use and come in at a sensible price point
I would also recommend a chain, padlock and key so that your special person can lock up their new and beautiful fabric scissors to prevent unruly people using them on paper and household items. Truly, I’m not kidding!
4. Desk Lamp
Probably not quite what you were expecting, but a desk lamp is something everyone who sews needs. The lights which come as part of sewing machines aren’t always as bright as we would like (or need for those of us getting older) and a directional desk amp that we can position exactly where we need it to be is the perfect gift idea for sewing beginners.
This is another one inspired by a gift that my other half got for me, after he saw me struggling to see in dim light one winter’s afternoon, and it’s been part of my sewing room ever since.
The first one mentioned is the one that he got for me, and the other two are additional options that would work well:
- Architect lamp – I love this lamp. It has a great sturdy base, is multi directional and has a simple gesture control built in which is what you want when you’re focused on sewing and realize that the natural daylight is disappearing
- Task lamp – this one isn’t quite as functional as the one I have above, but it is still a great option as it can be clamped to a worktop and has a large headlamp. This is the one I will be getting if my current architect lamp ever stops working
- Globe lamp – if a smaller, more direct (and cheaper) lamp makes sense then this is the one I got my Mom so she could read better in her hospital bed. My dad now uses it and loves it
I could also go into the possible desk solutions that work well for those who sew, but if your loved one or friend is only just on their sewing journey, it would be a bit extravagant to get them the sort of table that more experienced sewers would love. Perhaps that is another article I should be writing after this one!
5. Sewing Chair
This may be one of the best gifts you can get as a sewing beginner, and the reason why is that we sewers spend a lot of time hunched over a sewing machine being creative, and forget to take care of our backs.
A chair that is optimized for longer periods of time sitting at a sewing machine means that your loved one is less likely to suffer from aches and pains related to their new favorite hobby. There’s also the added bonus of having a spare chair in the house if you receive any extra unexpected guests.
- SewErgo – the name says it all really doesn’t it? One of the best ergonomic chairs for people who sew, this beauty is a rarity in that it doesn’t have casters but its always been a win for me, as I hate having to clear out threads and fabric scraps from the wheels
- Hydraulic Sewing Chair – this chair is both comfortable and supportive of the back, making it another great option – the seat also lifts and has hidden storage space included below!
- Waist support chair – this one is great for lower back support, and can be raised to a standing table height as well, which is a winner for when your loved one is ready to start pattern making!
That’s five different ideas for sewing gifts that your sewing newbie will love – let me know which you’ll be treating them to in the comments below! If you’re thinking of other gifts you could get them I also have a sewing gadget gift ideas guide or my vintage sewing gift guide too!
But an additional gift that your sewing person will love is my very own Rowan Tool Roll sewing pattern. It’s perfect for those who like to have their favorite sewing tools in one place for easy access, while being able to tidy them away at the end of the day.