Sometimes you might need a quilt in a hurry to give a person comfort or let them know you are thinking of them. You can always go to Walmart and buy a blanket if it is just for warmth. . . a quilt is about the emotional support. This quilt in the photos was made for someone very special to me whose wife decided that being a wife and a mom wasn’t as fun and exciting as partying with friends and being on her own. It was a rough time. To be honest. . . it is still rough. But he knows that I love him every time he looks at the quilt.
I know what you are thinking. “I can’t make a quilt!” But you CAN.
This is seriously made out of squares. I cut 10″ squares out of three different fabrics. If you don’t have the capacity to cut accurately, you can buy an item called a “Layer Cake” or a “10” Square Pack” which usually come in sets of 40 or 42 different squares of assorted fabrics. All you have to do is sew them together.
I made a VERY SIMPLE pattern that will tell you how many squares you need for just about any size quilt. (A comfort quilt does NOT need to be bed sized!!!) You can get the pattern FREE by clicking HERE.
I made this quilt out of flannel so it is super snuggly and warm, but you can do it out of any fabric. Most quilters use what we call “quilter’s cotton” which is a mid-weight 100% cotton fabric that wears well with washing.
If you have a quilter in your life, you know it is hard to buy them gifts because it appears that they have everything they need. . . and they probably do! But, there are always lovely gifts that you can buy that will be appreciated and, more importantly, used!
Now, I know that a lot of people like to receive gift cards but we also know that gift cards and gift certificates often do not get used. I shudder to think how many Joann gift cards are still floating around and never got used. Buying an actual item shows that you have put thought and effort into choosing a gift for your special person.
#5 Quilting Clothing or Jewelry
Coming in at number 5 is something the quilter can wear. If they are a t-shirt aficiando, your job is easy as long as you know their shirt size. The same goes for hoodies. I get chilly sitting still and quilting, so I am often wearing a hoodie and warm socks- but I don’t recommend socks because many quilters (not me!) enjoy sewing barefoot! If you are not sure of their size, there is a lot of sewing related jewelry available that would probably be appreciated and worn. Think earrings sporting sewing machines or quilt blocks. https://amzn.to/4is2gwZ
#4 New cutting mat
Yes, your quilter almost surely has a cutting mat, but they do wear out and most of us are slow to replace them. There are lots of options on the market but be aware that large, self-healing cutting mats can get expensive. I do recommend a self-healing mat and I like the ones that are two-sided with two different colorways so that I can choose a contrast when cutting a project. https://amzn.to/48vy1Rf
#3 Seam Ripper
I am NOT talking about a cheapo seam ripper from Walmart. . . every quilter probably has three of those!!! Seam ripping is one of the least enjoyable tasks that we perform as quilters and I can tell you that when I have a lovely tool to use, the task is way more fun! My favorite seam ripper is from Etsy and was made from a knife handle. I also have some lovely ones that were turned on a lathe from wood or acrylic. All of these will be used before the dreaded Walmart ripper.
#2 Fabric
I know buying fabric is scary, but think about what the quilts look like that your quilter makes. Are they scrappy with a lot of different fabrics in them? If so you could buy an assortment of “Fat Quarters” in their favorite color or in an array of colors. You can buy Fat Quarter Bundles that are curated and attractively bundled together and we quilters love them. If your quilter tends toward a more modern aesthetic and uses a lot of solid color fabrics, buy them 1 yard cuts of different values of the same color- like light blue, medium blue and navy blue. This will get used and actually is very useful.
#1 Scissors
My top place pick for a gift for a quilter is a new pair of scissors. Even a new pair of Fiskars would be used and appreciated but be aware that scissors can be pricey! My son and daughter-in-law sent me scissors from Amazon a few years ago and it was a treat to have a super sharp new toy to use. We ALL use scissors even if we have cutting mats and rotary cutters. I would strongly recommend the Karen K Buckley or Kai brands of scissors- they are really superb and can be purchased in many sizes which can affect the price. https://amzn.to/43Y23LT
Bonus Gift Idea- A class or experience
Quilting is a hobby of skill learning. There is ALWAYS a new quilt to make that does things a little differently or uses a new technique and classes, retreats and event virtual classes are a lot of fun for most quilters. If your quilter has mentioned that a certain teacher is coming to the area or that the guild is hosting a retreat, buying that experience for them will be both fun and educational. You may need to actually stop by the quilt shop or give them a call to facilitate this idea.
I hope this list has sparked an idea for you. Quilters are generally very kind and generous people so they will appreciate your effort and if they are gifted something they really can’t use they will probably pass it along to a beginning quilter- which you should consider a win/win.
The provided links are affiliate links. You will not pay any more for the product, but I will receive a small percentage of the sale.
People are re-creating quilt blocks with open edges that give a 3D effect. If you wonder what I am talking about here is a link to one that uses 3D Flying Geese. https://quilters-candy-box.myshopify.com/products/front-porch-pdf Cool, right? It is a beautiful quilt.
And over the weekend I saw another using pinwheel blocks. Apparently this technique has been around for a while but it hasn’t stuck. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WTbcliT8_E
Why, you wonder?
Because you are going to pay your longarmer for a custom quilt job instead of paying for an E2E which could easily be twice as much. And then, if you are quilting everything down, what is the point?
I recently realized that I have never really introduced myself on my own blog!
So. . . here we go!
I am Kaye Collins and I affectionately call myself a creative force. I enjoy thinking, writing, doing and making and it doesn’t really matter what the topic is! I was a high school band director for 20 years, I had a photography business for a few years and I even owned Lehi Soap Company for a few years. Since 2020 I have been the owner of Oh Kaye Quilting.
But mostly, I am a quilter. I am a longarmer. I am a longarm educator and I am a National Educator for Handi Quilter. I have been teaching longarming for Handi Quilter for almost 5 years now and I really enjoy getting to travel around the country- and the world- teaching people to use their Handi Quilter longarms.
I am somewhat of a computer quilting guru as well. I teach classes on Pro-Stitcher and Pro-Stitcher Designer. I even have a 9 week course about Pro-Stitcher Designer that is called StitchReady. I built the course because I felt most people needed a better way to learn and I am happy and proud to report that it has been very successful. Some of my students have sold some of their designs and others have won awards by using their designs on their own quilts.
I have developed and hosted a fun and educational retreat for longarm quilters called Elevated Stitches. It helps people get comfortable with some of the more advanced features in Pro-Stitcher and then use them in creative ways. I have hosted the event twice in Utah but am hoping to have the opportunity to host a retreat on the East Coast sometime soon.
I am a teacher for the Electric Quilt 8 computer program that allows you to design your own quilts and I am an educator for WonderFil threads. I don’t do much in those roles because I am SO busy with Handi Quilter.
I also write quilt patterns. If you have ever done it, you know that it is much harder and more time-consuming than it looks! I enjoy it but am lucky to get a couple patterns a year out these days.
Interested in more????
I have a YouTube Channel where I post content on a regular basis.
I am active on Facebook and Instagram nearly every day. Make sure you like, follow and comment on posts and videos. (Even this blog post!!!!) It really helps more people find me.
I am also the self proclaimed president of The Lazy Quilters Club. We have no meetings, no dues, no rules. We like to do things the smart and easy way and we like to have FUN.
Come join us!!!! We even have T-Shirts and Sweatshirts if you want to get one.
Kaye is interested in teaching for guilds and shops or speaking to groups about Creative Living and Leadership. Please feel free to reach out and we can discuss your event!
