Any good gift ideas for crafters?

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

MIL is always difficult to buy for (and it's seemingly up to me, but that's another thread entirely!). She's taken up patchwork/ appliqué over the last year and is really enjoying it. She's got a new sewing machine to do some of this with.

She's made things like bunting, a cushion for DD and DN with their names on, a bedspread for DS (lightly padded, some machine quilting).

I think she said she's making tote bags next.

Any ideas of a nice gift we could get her? I'd love nice yarn as a present, for example, but don't want to get her something that looks like we expect her to make more stuff for the DC! (I did give my mum a knitted toy making book for her birthday, but then I know her much better and knew she'd like it rather than take offence in any way!).

I quilt & would love a bundle of fat quarters in a nice mix of fabrics. I have too many odd scraps to use up that I feel guilty buying specific quilting fabric!

Or you could get her a good book on her chosen craft?

Thanks. Would they be useful for her in lots of different projects then, rather than 'just' a quilt?

MIl is a crafter, we often buy her bundles of fat quarters. She gets bundles at Christmas, Easter, brought back from holidays etc. She does a lot with them, not just quilting. Teddy bears, iPod cases etc

What about some really good scissors? I'm a dressmaker and got a great boxed set a couple of years ago. Last Christmas we got mil a little silver pair of embroidery scissors in a necklace type holder. She loves them as they are always handy. Could she use or need any extra feet for her machine? Subscription to a craft magazine?

Does she have a rotary cutter, ruler and mat, Judy?

I like the bundle of fat quarters idea.

Depends on your budget, but I seem to remember one of the online fabric places does a fat quarter club - you subscribe and get a selection every month sent to you, different colour way each month. Will try to find out which it is.

These all sound lovely, and as a quilter I'd love to receive any all of these suggestions!!!What about a selection of gorgeous blingy, sparkly, textured threads that she could use to enhance her work?

I recently went to the Knitting and stitching show at Harrogate, where there was an abundance of other quilters and suppliers. I had a fab day and came home with all kinds of goodies, and had also been able to watch demonstrations and have a go in some of the mini workshops there.

Have a look at www.21stcenturyyarns.com for starters.

Or maybe buy her a ticket for one of next years exhibitions, if you know she can get to it. It goes on at various venues around the country through the year, so you can check that out on line.

Also -

www.artvango.co.uk

www.eclecticmaker.co.uk

www.fredaldous.co.uk

Also -

www.artvango.co.uk

www.eclecticmaker.co.uk

www.fredaldous.co.uk

What about a jelly roll or a charm pack, and a book on making scrappy quilts?

It's what I've got my mum.

Check out Cotton Patch for ideas too.

Lovely ideas, thanks. Am looking at the links now and will let you know what we choose. Budget around £30 I think. I'm dropping hints to DH about how much I'd love to receive similar but yarn for crocheting (oh, and some extra time in the day!).