Gifts for Sewers: Tools They Will Actually Use

First, one question: do you know their machine?

Most sewing tools fit any sewer. A few do not: presser feet, bobbins and bobbin cases often fit only some models, and machine needles must match the system and size the manual names. If you do not know the brand and model, choose a hand tool from this page. If you do, check it first in our guides to presser feet, bobbin cases and machine needles.

A sewing machine itself is a bigger decision: our guide to choosing a first sewing machine covers it.

If you know neither their machine nor what they sew, the safest gift is the one they choose: a gift card from the fabric store they already use, or fabric for their next project. Quilters and machine embroiderers also use specialized tools (rotary cutters and rulers; stabilizers, thread and hoops for one machine): this page sticks to tools any sewer can use, and our gifts for quilters and gifts for embroiderers cover the rest.

The gifts at a glance

Twelve gifts by situation

Gift	Best for	Why it is useful
Fabric shears (Kai 7230)	New or experienced sewer	Sharp shears are on the basic list1
Magnetic pin holder (Clover 4105)	New sewer	A magnetic pin cushion “helps hold pins in place”2
Seam ripper (Clover 4820)	New sewer	On the basic list1
Tape measure (Dritz 60 in.)	New sewer	On the basic list, non-stretch2
Sewing gauge (Dritz 620)	New sewer	For hems and buttonholes2
Chalk marking pen (Clover Chaco Liner)	New sewer	A marker that comes out of the fabric2
Point turner (Clover 7803)	Sewer with the basics	On the advanced list2
Bias tape maker (Clover 464)	Sewer with the basics	Makes your own bias tape4
Tailor’s ham (Dritz 562)	Garment sewer	For darts and curved seams2
Sewing-room iron (Oliso ProPlus)	Sewer who has everything	A dedicated iron for pressing
Machine light (OttLite 2-in-1)	Sewer who has everything	Light and a magnifier at the needle8
Thread cutter pendant (Clover)	Small gift	Cuts thread without scissors9

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

For a new sewer: the basic kit

Utah State University Extension’s checklist of basic supplies is “Straight Pins”, “Pin cushion”, “Sharp shears (for cutting fabric)”, “Tape measure”, “Seam ripper” and a “Sewing supply container”; its optional list adds a hem gauge, a marking pen, pencil or chalk, small scissors for clipping threads, hand needles and a thimble.¹ Oregon State’s 4-H guide describes the same tools: shears are “used for cutting fabric, not paper”.¹⁰ A few of them, chosen from their makers’ specs:

9-inch fabric shears

Kai 7230 Professional Shears

Length

9 in.

Weight

6.1 oz

Steel

high carbon, hardened stainless

Strengths

• Kai: ideal for thicker, more difficult fabrics
• Lighter than the 10-inch 7250, says Kai

Drawbacks

• Longer than the 7 to 8 inches a 4-H guide gives for shears

Good fit: they cut a lot of fabric with old or household scissors.
Skip it if: they are left-handed: Kai's left-handed model in this series is the 10-inch 7250L.

Kai says the 7230 “is better suited to people with smaller hands or desire lighter weight” than its 10-inch 7250, and that the extra inch of the 7250 is “in the handle, not the blade”.¹¹ Oregon State’s 4-H guide gives “7- 8 inches” as the usual length of shears, so the 7230 is on the long side.¹⁰

Magnetic pin holder with a cover

Clover Magnet Pin Caddy

Art. No.

4105 (Bordeaux)

Cover

yes, stackable

Pins

not stainless or non-ferrous

Strengths

• Center groove for picking up pins
• Cover for storage

Drawbacks

• Keep away from phones, monitors and magnetic cards, says Clover

Good fit: they sew with ordinary steel pins and lose them on the floor.
Skip it if: their pins are stainless or non-ferrous: Clover says not to store those on it.

Utah State: “A magnetic pin cushion helps hold pins in place.”² Clover adds a caution: “Do not use near magnet sensitive equipment such as televisions, watches, computer monitors, mobile phones, magnetic cards, etc.”¹²

Seam ripper with an ergonomic handle

Clover Grip Fit Seam Ripper

Art. No.

4820

Tip

textured, to brush away threads

Handle

ergonomic

Strengths

• Ergonomic handle
• Textured tip to grab cut threads

Drawbacks

• New in Clover’s US store in late 2024: little track record yet

Good fit: they are learning and unpick seams often.

Clover describes a “Convenient textured tip to grab and brush away unwanted threads” and an “Ergonomic handle”, and warns to remove the protection sleeve carefully when you first open it.¹³ Utah State’s advice for any seam ripper: pick one “with a sharp point and curved edge”.²

Short ruler with a slider for hems and buttonholes

Dritz Sewing Gauge with Sliding Marker

Item

620

Marker

sliding, stays in place

Extra use

compass for scallops and circles

Strengths

• Slider stays put for repeated marking
• Small hole works as a compass

Drawbacks

• Length not stated on the Dritz page we read

Good fit: they hem, alter clothes or space buttonholes.

Dritz: “The sliding marker can be moved and will stay in place for repeated marking.”¹⁴ Utah State describes the hem gauge as “six inches long”.²

Chalk marking pen with powdered chalk

Clover Chaco Liner Pen Style

Colours

blue, pink, white, yellow, silver

Removal

pat off, or wash

Refills

sold separately

Strengths

• Fine line for straight lines and curves
• Refill cartridges sold separately

Drawbacks

• Ironing or dry cleaning may make marks permanent, says Clover

Good fit: they trace patterns or alterations on washable fabric.
Skip it if: they sew fabrics that cannot be washed: Clover says not to use it on them.

Clover’s notes for use: “Test on a piece of scrap fabric to be sure that the lines and marks can be erased” and “Ironing or dry cleaning may make the marks permanent.”¹⁵ Utah State gives the same rule for any marker.²

Fiberglass tape, inches and metric

Dritz 60-inch Tape Measure

Length

60 in.

Width

5/8 in.

Markings

1/16 in., metric on the back

Strengths

• Non-stretch reinforced fiberglass, says Dritz
• Steel tips on the ends

Drawbacks

• We found this exact item on the Dritz store, not on Amazon.com

Good fit: they need a first tape measure, or a spare by the machine.

Utah State: “Select a non-stretching tape measure.”² Dritz describes this one as “non-stretch, reinforced fiberglass”.¹⁶

For a sewer who has the basics

Utah State’s list of “Advanced Project Supplies” starts with a point turner, rotary cutting tools and pressing aids such as a dressmaking ham.² The point turner and the ham suit garment and home sewing; we add a bias tape maker, which is not on that list:

Point turner, creaser and marker in one

Clover Point 2 Point Turner

Art. No.

7803

Tips

two turner tips

Also

hera marker, finger presser

Strengths

• Turns points and pushes out curved seams
• Also creases and marks fabric

Drawbacks

• Excessive force may damage it, says Clover

Good fit: they sew collars, cuffs, bags or cushions with corners.

Clover: it has “two turner tips, hera marker, finger presser and two curved edges to push out along curved or long seams”.³

Folds fabric strips into bias tape as you iron

Clover Bias Tape Maker

Sizes

1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1 and 2 in.

Art. No.

464/06 to 464/50

Needs

an iron

Strengths

• Five widths
• Binding to match any fabric

Drawbacks

• One width per tool: pick the size, or buy a few

Good fit: they finish edges, quilts or garments with binding.

Clover’s method: cut fabric strips, “Insert the fabric through the Tape Maker”, then “Pin the fabric edges then iron the folded tape as you pull the Tape Maker”.⁴ The link goes to the 1/2-inch size.

Pressing ham for darts, sleeve caps and curves

Dritz Tailors Ham

Item

562

Plaid side

65% cotton/35% polyester, low to medium heat

Cotton side

100% cotton, medium to high heat

Strengths

• Two sides for wool and synthetics, or cotton and linen
• Sold by the Dritz store, which ships to Canada

Drawbacks

• Size not stated on the Dritz page we read
• We did not find this exact item on Amazon.com

Good fit: they sew garments with darts, set-in sleeves or curved seams.
Skip it if: they mostly sew flat projects such as quilts.

Utah State: “The ham is used when pressing shaped areas such a darts and curved seams. The curve of the ham helps to set the curve of the seam.”²

For a sewer who has everything

When the kit is complete, the best present replaces something they make do with.

Steam iron that lifts itself

Oliso ProPlus Smart Iron (TG1600+)

Power

110 V, 1800 W

Cord

12 ft, 360° pivot

Water tank

12.7 oz (375 ml)

Strengths

• Lowers when you touch the handle, lifts when you let go
• 30-minute standby while working, per Oliso

Drawbacks

• On Amazon.com we found it only in bundles with accessories, so we link to Oliso

Good fit: they press at every step and want an iron for the sewing room.
Skip it if: they live outside North America: it is a 110 V iron.

Oliso: “Simply touch the handle, and the iron lowers, ready to work. Take your hand off, and the iron lifts, preventing scorches, burns, and tipping.” It shuts off after 30 seconds if tipped over and has a 2-year warranty.¹⁷

Clip or stick-on light with a magnifier

OttLite 2-in-1 LED Sewing Machine Light

Magnifier

3x, with 5x spot viewer

Neck

10.75 in., flexible

Power

USB cord, or 3 AAA batteries

Strengths

• Magnifier head and book-light head
• Clip, or adhesive to fix it on the machine

Drawbacks

• 50 lumens at most, per OttLite
• Not found on Amazon.com

Good fit: their machine light is weak and they struggle to thread needles.
Skip it if: you ship to Canada: OttLite ships to US addresses only.

OttLite says to use the “included sturdy clip to attach to tabletops and books or adhesive to attach light to sewing machine”.⁸

Round thread cutter, worn or set on a spool

Clover Thread Cutter Pendant

Finish

antique gold (455), antique silver (454)

Blade

circular, in grooves

Body

zinc

Strengths

• Cuts thread in any of its grooves
• Wear it, or set it on top of a thread reel

Drawbacks

• A thread cutter only: not for fabric

Good fit: they hand sew, or you want a small gift that goes with a bigger one.

Clover: it “Can be set on top of the thread reel or used as a pendant for cutting”.⁹

Buying in Canada

The makers’ own stores differ:

• Dritz (Prym Americas store): “We currently ship orders to the US and Canada.”¹⁸
• Oliso: “We ship via common carriers to anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.”¹⁹
• Clover (US store): “We do not offer international shipping at this time.”²⁰
• 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”.^21,22
• Kai: its product page mentions a fee “for international orders”, but its shipping page says “We currently are not shipping outside the United States.”^11,23

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