14yr old dd seems to be good at sewing, ideas please for Christmas!

[triplets]

My dd brought an amazing piece of work home the other day, all done on a sewing machine, she had never touched one before. So thinking along the lines of items she will need to encourage her? Machine etc, fabric scraps etc.

Cottonpatch sell lovely fabrics, either by the metre, or packs of pre-cut pieces.

She will need thread too, I bought a job lot of 100 reels from ebay, it didn't cost that much (cheaper than buying individual reels) and it means that whatever fabric I'm using, I can usually find a thread that matches pretty well.

A decent pair of fabric scissors will be a good investment, as long as they don't get stolen and used to cut the tops off coke cans (yes DP I'M looking at you).

Maybe some books with projects in? There are lots on Amazon dedicated to small projects, and sewing with small amounts of fabric.

IKEA sell and machine amd fabrics and all the gubbins to go with. Sign her up to Pinterest if you like which has tons of ideas for crafty stuff to make.

Im getting a sewing machine for christmas too off my DM but am significantly older than your dd but probably more rubbish!

What about a magazine subscription to an appropriate sewing/craft mag?

Hobby craft do nice sewing boxes to keep all the stuff in.

sewing boxes can be pricey, and tool boxes can be a better shape, so depends on her style (sewing boxes very cath kidson)

cutting out scissors
small thread cutting scissors
spools/bobbins for the machine
coloured threads
box of mixed buttons
some ribbons/decorative bits
velcro
elastic
pins (make sure they are long ones
needles
fabric, small bits and some larger pieces

and of course a machine. John Lewis do a very nice starter machine. Costs around £70 new. We got one on ebay for much less. Comes in funky colours

Find a beginners machine project book (bags, cushions etc)

My daughter loves sewing. This is what she got last christmas. She is very proud of things she sews, and it is very useful for present making.

you could get her a copy of my http://www.amazon.co.uk/Countryside-Softies-Amy-Adams/dp/1607052156/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349220032&sr=8-1 book!

or put together a sewing kit, decent fabric shears, embroidery scissors, buttons etc. mag subscription is a good idea, mollie makes is a good one.

oops, book is here

Thank you all for your ideas, think the first thing to do is find a suitable machine,usually stuck for Christmas presents, no problem now!

Craftgawker.com is also good for crafty ideas

I've got the john lewis starter machine. See if she actually uses it frequently before moving onto a bigger machine. it's perfect for most things that don't use thick fabric (denim/cord etc) or have many layers (a lined blazer would be a bad idea).

I have used mine for quilting, apron making, hemming, stocking making and will be using it for making some pajamas and an advent calendar this month.

I got mine for £50 in store.

And tell her to visit craftster.org too...loads of younger girls on there...there are loads of cool tutorials that appeal to teens and advice from older crafty people. They have craft challenges monthly with prizes...and it's a lovely community.

this is good too: www.amazon.co.uk/Lotta-Jansdotters-Simple-Sewing-Jansdotter/dp/0811852571/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1