Gifts for Embroiderers: What a Machine Embroiderer Will Use

First, one question: which machine do they have?

Machine embroidery gifts fall in two groups. Tools and supplies work with any embroidery machine. Hoops, magnetic hoops, software and design files do not: each fits only some machines or reads only some file formats. If you cannot find out the brand and model, choose from the first group.

If you can, our guides show what to check: magnetic embroidery hoops and machine embroidery software.

For general sewing tools (shears, seam ripper, pressing tools), see our gifts for sewers.

Gift ideas for embroiderers at a glance

Gifts for embroiderers by situation

Gift	Best for	Depends on the machine?
Curved-tip scissors (Kai N5100C)	Any machine embroiderer	No
Fine tweezers (Dritz 3418)	Small gift	No
Embroidery thread	Any machine embroiderer	No, but see our thread guide for weights
Stabilizer	Any machine embroiderer	No: it depends on the fabric
Foam for raised stitching (Sulky Puffy Foam)	Embroiderer who has everything	No
Temporary spray adhesive (Sulky KK2000XT)	Experienced embroiderer	No
Magnifier lamp (OttLite 3-in-1)	Embroiderer who has everything	No
Extra hoop (Brother SA444)	Owner of a listed Brother model	Yes: check Brother’s list2
Hand embroidery hoop (Clover)	Hand embroidery	Not for an embroidery machine6

These are starting points chosen from what each maker publishes, not a ranking: we have not tested them.

Small tools any machine embroiderer can use

New Mexico State University’s extension guide to free-motion machine embroidery (embroidery guided by hand on a sewing machine, revised in 2015) puts it plainly: “A sharp pair of embroidery scissors is essential. Avoid using large shears or scissors that require cutting down on the blade—you may cut more than you intend to cut.”⁷

4-inch needle craft scissors with curved tips

Kai N5100C Curved Tip Scissors

Length

4 in.

Weight

0.3 oz

Tips

sharp, pointed, curved

Strengths

• Kai names machine embroidery jobs: jump stitches, trimming stabilizer
• Also useful for applique, says Kai

Drawbacks

• Kai shows a California Proposition 65 warning (nickel) on its page

Good fit: they trim jump stitches and cut stabilizer away after each design.
Skip it if: you want scissors for cutting fabric: these are for threads and close trimming.

Kai: the scissors “have sharp, pointed, and curved tips that allow for flexibility in clipping jump stitches in embroidery designs, lettering, machine quilting, beadwork, and fly tying for fishermen”, and the curved tips “also aid in cutting away stabilizers from the back of embroidery projects”.¹

Fine-point tweezers for threads

Dritz Needle Tip Tweezers

Item

3418

Point

fine, for the smallest threads

Grip

heart-shaped finger grip

Strengths

• Dritz: for removing threads and inserting machine needles
• A small gift to add to a bigger one

Drawbacks

• A general tool, not made only for embroidery
• Length and material not stated on the Dritz page we read

Good fit: they pick out thread ends and small bits left after a design.
Skip it if: they already keep fine tweezers by the machine.

Dritz: “Fine point for pulling out the smallest threads”, “Ideal for removing threads, easy insertion of machine needles, removing bits of paper and picking up beads”.⁸

Supplies they use up

Machine embroidery uses up thread and stabilizer, so they are rarely wasted. Do not guess, though: our guides explain which embroidery thread and weight to choose, and which stabilizer goes with which fabric. If you can, look at the spools and rolls they already own and buy the same.

Two specialty supplies make a gift for someone who has the basics:

Foam that raises satin stitches and lettering

Sulky Puffy Foam, 3 mm

Pack

three 6 x 9 in. pieces

Thickness

3 mm (a 2 mm version exists)

Material

ethylene vinyl acetate foam

Strengths

• Sulky: made just for use on home sewing machines
• Sold in several colours

Drawbacks

• Small pieces, three to a pack
• The Amazon.com listing we found mixes in another product’s description, so we link to Sulky

Good fit: they want to try raised lettering or logos.
Skip it if: they are a beginner still learning stabilizers.

Sulky: “Add 3-dimensional flair and excitement to your computerized embroidery, free-motion and machine satin stitches”, and the foam “perforates cleanly when stitched through and makes the stitching stand well above the fabric”. Sulky adds that it is “acid-free, non-toxic and water-resistant”.⁴ Choose a colour close to the thread they will stitch over it.

Repositionable spray to hold fabric and stabilizer

Sulky KK2000XT Temporary Spray Adhesive

Type

aerosol, temporary hold

Hold

dissipates after about 72 hours, per Sulky

Shipping

ground only, contiguous US

Strengths

• Sulky: secures stabilizers and fabrics during stitchouts
• Sulky: releases without residue or gumming up needles

Drawbacks

• Aerosol: ventilated area only, away from heat, sparks and open flames
• Can size not stated on the page we read
• Not found on Amazon.com

Good fit: they do in-the-hoop projects and have a well-ventilated place to spray.
Skip it if: you ship to Canada, Alaska or Hawaii: Sulky cannot send it outside the contiguous US.

Sulky: “The extra-strong, temporary hold is ideal for in-the-hoop projects, helping secure stabilizers and fabrics during stitchouts.” Its handling instructions: “Use only in a well-ventilated area. Keep the container away from heat, sparks, and open flames.”⁹ Because it is an aerosol, it is not a gift to post without checking the carrier’s rules.

For an embroiderer who has everything

Floor, table or clamp-on lamp with a magnifier

OttLite Ultimate LED 3-in-1 Creative Station

Magnifier

2x, with 4x spot viewer

Height

up to 59 in. (floor), 25 in. (table)

Extras

clip arm for patterns, outlet

Strengths

• Converts between floor, table and clamp-on lamp
• LED-lit magnifier with a spot viewer

Drawbacks

• A large lamp: check there is room for it
• Not found on Amazon.com

Good fit: they work on fine detail, by machine or by hand.
Skip it if: you ship to Canada: OttLite ships to US addresses only.

OttLite: “This lamp easily transforms from a floor lamp, to a table lamp, to a sturdy clamp-on lamp”, with an “LED illuminated 2x optical grade magnifier with 4x spot viewer” and a “Convenient outlet to charge devices and power craft tools”.⁵

Only if you know the machine

A second hoop is a tempting gift, and the easiest one to get wrong. One example shows why:

Standard hoop for some Brother machines

Brother SA444 Embroidery Hoop, 5 x 7 in.

Embroidery area

5 x 7 in.

Fits (Brother USA)

DZ820E, Innov-is 1000, NS1150E, PE700, PE700II, PE750D, PE770, PE780D, SB7900E

Fits (Brother Canada)

NS2750D, NS1150E

Strengths

• Brother publishes the list of machines it fits
• Also sold by Brother Canada

Drawbacks

• Useless on a machine that is not listed
• On Amazon.com we found only other brands’ replacement hoops, so we link to Brother

Good fit: their Brother machine is on the maker's list and they want a second 5 x 7 hoop.
Skip it if: their machine is not on Brother's list: the hoop will not fit.

Brother USA lists the SA444 “For Use With” nine models; Brother Canada’s page shows two under “Compatible with”, one of which is not on the US list.^2,3 So even inside one brand, check the list for the exact model. Our guide to embroidery hoop sizes shows the real size of each hoop, and the same caution applies to magnetic hoops and to software.

If they also embroider by hand

Hoop for hand embroidery

Clover Embroidery Hoop, 7 in.

Art. No.

8812 (7 in. / 18 cm)

Smaller size

8813 (4-3/4 in. / 12 cm)

Use

hand embroidery

Strengths

• Two sizes
• Clover: perfect for hand embroidery

Drawbacks

• Clover shows a California Proposition 65 warning (lead and cadmium) on its page
• Hoop material not stated by Clover

Good fit: they stitch by hand as well as by machine.
Skip it if: you want a hoop for an embroidery machine: this is not one.

Clover: “Embroidery Hoop - 7 inches / 18 cm Perfect for Hand Embroidery”.⁶ New Mexico State’s guide notes that for free-motion embroidery on a sewing machine “A regular hand-embroidering hoop can also be used”; that is a different technique from a computerized embroidery machine, which uses the hoops made for it.⁷

Buying in Canada

The makers’ own stores differ:

• Dritz (Prym Americas store): “We currently ship orders to the US and Canada.”¹⁰
• Brother: Brother Canada lists the SA444 on its own site, with its own compatibility list.³
• Sulky: the KK2000XT spray ships by ground only: “we are not able to ship outside the Contiguous U.S.”⁹
• Clover (US store): “We do not offer international shipping at this time.”¹¹
• OttLite: it ships to US addresses only, and says that for Canadian customers “A variety of our products are available to be purchased online from Amazon.ca, and Lines Distributors”.^12,13
• Kai: its product page mentions a fee “for international orders”, but its shipping page says “We currently are not shipping outside the United States.”^1,14

Our Amazon links go to Amazon.com. From Canada, check delivery and import fees on each listing before you order.