Quilters know exactly what they want, which makes them hard to buy for and easy to please once you know where to look. The best gifts are the tools they use on every quilt: something to cut with, something to press with, and, for a big gift, a better machine. Fabric is personal, so most quilters would rather choose their own, but the tools are a safe bet.
This guide is sorted by the job each gift does. For a broader list that covers other crafts too, see our gifts for crafters.
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Quick picks
- The big gift: Juki TL-2010Q quilting machine.
- A better iron: Oliso TG1600 Pro Plus.
- For cutting: an OLFA 45 mm rotary cutter with spare blades.
- A ruler they will reach for: Creative Grids 6-1/2 x 24-1/2 inch.
- Small add-ons: Clover Wonder Clips and Aurifil thread.
A quilting machine
A machine is the biggest gift you can give a quilter, and it only makes sense if you know their current machine is holding them back. Straight-stitch machines are made for piecing and quilting; computerized machines add decorative stitches and buttonholes. Our guide to the best quilting machines for beginners covers the basics.
Juki TL-2010Q
The Juki TL-2010Q is a high-speed, straight-stitch sewing and quilting machine. It has an automatic thread trimmer that cuts the needle and bobbin threads with a push of a button, a knee lifter that raises the presser foot as high as 12 mm without using hands, and an automatic needle threader. It is built to be portable.
Brother PQ1600S
The Brother PQ1600S is another high-speed straight-stitch machine, sewing up to 1,500 stitches per minute. It has a push-button thread cutter, a needle up or down setting, adjustable feed dogs and presser foot pressure, and an 11.1 by 23.3 inch table with 5.7 by 8.7 inches of space between the needle and the arm.
Brother CS7000X and Janome 3160QDC-G
For a quilter who also sews clothes and gifts, a computerized machine covers more. The Brother CS7000X has 70 built-in stitches, 7 one-step buttonholes, a metal frame, a wide table, 10 sewing feet with a quilt guide and a hard case. The Janome 3160QDC-G has a needle threader, an automatic thread cutter, a speed control slider and Janome’s Superior Plus Feed System to keep layers from shifting. This listing includes a bonus quilt kit, an extension table and a hard cover.
Pressing
Careful pressing makes piecing more accurate, and a better iron or pressing mat is a gift a quilter uses on every block. See our guide to pressing quilt seams for why it matters.
- The Oliso TG1600 Pro Plus lifts itself off the fabric when the quilter lets go of the handle and lowers when they touch it, which protects fabric from scorching. It has an 1800-watt steam system, a 2-inch detailer tip for seams and a 12-foot swivel cord.
- The Oliso M3Pro mini iron is a palm-sized 1000-watt steam iron with a pointed tip and an LED light, for pressing seams open at the sewing table. It is dual voltage for travel and retreats.
- A ZOMONETI wool pressing mat is 14 by 18 inches of felted New Zealand wool, half an inch thick. It holds the iron’s heat and presses from below, and includes a silicone iron rest.
Cutting
Rotary cutters and mats wear out, so a fresh set is always useful. Our rotary cutter guide explains how they work together.
- The OLFA 45 mm quick-change rotary cutter comes with a tungsten steel blade, a contoured handle and a quick-change blade system. Add a 10-pack of OLFA 45 mm blades, which fit any OLFA 45 mm cutter and come in a storage and disposal case.
- The Fiskars 24 by 36 inch self-healing mat is sized for cutting the full width of fabric, with grids and 30, 45 and 60 degree bias lines on both sides.
- The Calibre Art 14 by 14 inch rotating mat spins on its base, so the quilter can trim a block on all four sides without moving the fabric.
Rulers
A quilter can always use another good ruler. The Creative Grids 6-1/2 by 24-1/2 inch ruler is the everyday workhorse: made in the USA with a non-slip grip that holds in place under light pressure, plus 45 and 30/60 degree lines. The Creative Grids Stripology XL is a 17-3/4 by 22 inch slotted ruler with cutting slots every half inch, for cutting many strips without moving the ruler. See our guide to the best quilting rulers and cutting mats for more.
Notions and small gifts
- Clover Wonder Clips open wide to hold several layers, which helps with binding.
- The Clover ergonomic seam ripper has a slim tip and a non-slip rounded handle.
- Machingers quilting gloves have grippy fingertips for moving a quilt during free-motion quilting, with wrist support.
- A large spool of Aurifil 50wt cotton thread holds 1,422 yards and is used for piecing and quilting by hand or machine. Natural white goes with almost everything. Our quilting thread guide explains the weights.
- June Tailor quilt basting spray holds the batting to the top and back while quilting and can be left in or washed out.
- If you want to give fabric, a bundle of 12 fat quarters is a safe way to do it, since it leaves the quilter free to decide what to make.
How to choose
If the quilter has talked about wanting a new machine, that is the gift. Otherwise, look at what they cut and press with: a new rotary cutter, a wool mat or a better iron will be used on every quilt. If you are unsure, a spare blade pack, Wonder Clips and a spool of good thread are small gifts every quilter uses up. For a beginner, our quilting on a budget guide shows what matters first.
Frequently asked questions
What do you buy a quilter who has everything?
Consumables and upgrades: rotary blades, good thread, a wool pressing mat, or a specialty ruler. Quilters go through blades and thread on every project.
Is a sewing machine a good gift for a quilter?
Only if you know they want one. Quilters often have strong preferences about machines, so a machine works best as a gift when they have mentioned a specific model or a feature they need.
Should I give fabric to a quilter?
Fabric is personal, so a fat quarter bundle is safer than yardage. It gives them variety without committing them to a project.
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