Pretty Or Practical Presents?

I'm not usually one to get overly excited about Christmas and similar holidays, probably because my family is scattered across the world. But, I am one to get excited about presents, so I've totally started to think about my Christmas wish-list already!

Usually, I opt for pretty presents over practical ones. You know...gorgeous fabrics, lovely patterns, the latest sewing books...the list goes on. The reality is though, that I actually buy myself plenty of pretty sewing things all year round. What I really need are the practical items which I can't seem to bring myself to buy.

So, my practical present wish-list for this Christmas includes two main items:

A big cutting mat. I'm a recent convert to and serious advocate of the rotary cutter, so a 90cm by 60cm one which should do very nicely!
A walking foot for my Brother. I know these babies are dear, but I sew a lot with jersey, so having one will make a huge difference to the finish of my makes.


 
WeaverDee stock both of these items and always seem to have amazing offers on. If you weren’t aware, you can go one better with an extra 10% off your orders using STITCH10. Also, on a timely aside, have you seen their Halloween doggy costume?!? There’s even an adorable Vinny The Vampire Pug film to brighten your day!

Another practical item on my wish-list is a set of pattern weights. I'm a huge fan of using household items for sewing (baking parchment instead of tracing paper, pens instead of chalk...), but store cupboard tins are losing their appeal as pattern weights. I’ve been longing for something less cumbersome which is flatter and doesn't get in the way. Plus, there's so much fun to be had in pimping up pattern weights! I stumled across this Pinterest Board full of fun ideas and I love Tilly's 'party ring' tutorial!


 
Have you started compiling your Christmas wish-list yet? What's on it?

11 comments:

  1. I have a walking foot but have never used it. It came with my machine. I don't sew a lot of knits though but I think it would come in handy for quilting. There is a great tutorial on "Rhonda's Creative Life" blogs for cute owl pattern weights. I have a ton of scraps so am thinking of making them. Xx

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  2. What great ideas for pressies! My family have already been emailed my list of sewing related goodies, and they do appreciate knowing they are getting me something I'll use. I have slightly bigger cutting mat - I think it's 24" x 18", and I absolutely LOVE my walking foot. I treated myself to it two christmas's ago, and couldn't do without it. I hope Santa brings you everything you want!

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  3. I agree with the cutting mat tip a 100%! I love mine and I have not used scissors to cut my fabric since forever! I also add to the gift two rotary cutters: one regular size and other smaller (for treacherous curves!)

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  4. the walking foot will be so great, i love mine! your cutting mat will be your most used thing!

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  5. I too am a recent convert to the rotary cutter. How did we get along without them? I couldn't wait for Christmas so I bought a large cutting mat and wonder how I managed without it also.

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  6. I stalled on buying a walking foot for my Bernina because they are sooooooooo expensive. I finally started chasing one down on Ebay, and it took a few months to get the correct one at a price I could live with. It was a good decision.

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  7. I have a brother too and use my walking foot for quilting, which I love. For knits, I use the stretch stitch on my machine and for pattern weights, I bought extra large washers from the nuts and bolts dept of my local home improvement store.

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  8. A cutting mat and rotary cutter are exactly what is on my list this year! I have only started sewing in the last year and started to get more serious as the weather has started to warm up here in the Southern hemisphere, so I find my wishlist getting longer the more I learn/see/do :-) I also want an adjustable dress form, which is waaay beyond the scope of the spend limit my family have, but it will certainly help reduce the cost for me which is a pretty good start!

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  9. For pattern weights use oversized washers. I bought some zinc dipped flat washers at an industrial hardware supply house a few years back. Two boxes (10 per box) cost US $18. They were 7cm across. You could also use nuts but washers work better. You want galvanized or zinc dipped as they won't rust.
    Theresa in Tucson

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  10. You can wrap those oversized washers in strips of fabric or even bias tape. They look so nice, are soft on those thin vintage patterns and a great way to use scraps of fabric that you would otherwise throw out.

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  11. I'm similar. I put-off buying the most practical items, when in truth, I'm always just as excited, if not more, to have them as I am to have a shiny new pattern or delightful piece of fabric. It's a backwards habit I can't seem to break. :-D

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