Gifts for people who like sewing and painting?

[PickledElectricity]

My friend is coming to stay for Christmas.

She is a dear friend who did us a massive favour this year in minding our toddler while I went in to have baby #2.

I would love to get her some really nice/decent Christmas gifts. I would prefer to avoid

In the past it's been more token presents.

She likes painting - I know she already has an easel and paints and brushes etc. I was thinking a set of canvases? But then what size?

She also has a sewing machine and uses that to alter and make her own clothes.

I don't do either of these hobbies so I'm hoping to pick the Mumsnet hive mind for ideas - maybe what you'd like to indulge in?

Please and thank you.

Walk into an art and craft shop and they will love helping you! I saw some lovely embroidery sets the other day, so pretty!

Could you do a magazine subscription for painting or
sewing?

I did this for my mum when she got into watercolour painting- I thought she’d want to pick equipment etc herself and I wouldn’t know what brands to go for. She loved the magazine and now it’s a yearly gift. or tickets to an event or craft/fabric fair and you take her to lunch after (might be tricky with 2 kids though!)

I think canvases etc are personal to what she wants to paint.

I agree with @Tryingatleast . Go to a craft shop and see what sewing kits or craft kits they have - embroidery, cross stitch etc.

Or a craft magazine subscription? Or art magazine subscription?

If you are anywhere near Birmingham/exeter or Glasgow google tells me they do a creative craft fair with sellers and tutorials and exhibitions. That sort of thing sounds fun (now I’m tempted 😂.)

What kind of painting does she do? You (we!) need to know that to even begin to suggest.

And how accomplished is she?
gift fit someone who fiddles around with it is v different to gift fit someone who is quite intentional and skilled

It’s very tricky. I sew a lot but I only make and alter clothes. I wouldn’t be overjoyed with cross stitch or embroidery kits because it’s nothing like my actual interest. I’d probably regift it which would make me feel bad. Painting is even more specific! Does she use watercolours, oils or acrylic? What sort of style?

I’d love a subscription to either Love Sewing or Simply Sewing. I’d really like a pair of top notch dressmaking scissors. I’d be overjoyed with a voucher for a good fabric shop (NOT hobbycraft personally). There are some fabulous dressmaking books with lots of detail on various techniques.

Buying for someone with specific hobbies is really difficult unless you share the hobbies.

I'm afraid we're down south!

I agree with @Jins . I also love sewing and painting but it would be so easy to buy the wrong thing - as a dressmaker I have no desire whatsoever for a cross stitch kit.

How about a voucher for Minerva Fabrics or Jacksons Art Supplies?

A voucher for a local art shop-the fun is in the choosing and looking at all the gorgeous colours and kit, and chatting with knowledgeable staff

Yes, you're right. I should probably ask her outright but I want an element of surprise!

She paints acrylic. I've seen flower/fruit arrangements and boobies 🤣

I'm not sure why people are suggesting craft kits as in my mind that's very different to working on a sewing machine. I cross stitch but I like to come up with my own designs. I once got a felting kit for my birthday and was a bit put out.

She's recently moved into her own apartment and one room is dedicated to painting and sewing.

Scissors are a good shout!

I do similar hobbies and wouldn't want a gift from anyone for them, they require very specific things.
Would she enjoy a magazine subscription, or a day out somewhere? Food somewhere special?

@3beesinmybonnet @UnTrucDOeuf I was really hoping to avoid vouchers and get something to open.

In general I think vouchers are a bit of a lazy gift/a cop out and limit what the recipient can do with the gift. I would rather give cash with a note explaining what it's intended for. She might want to spend the money on supplies Vinted for all I know.

OP I paint and it’s a bit of a passion and I always have a list of wants but I’m very specific as to what I want.
Id suggest going to the Jackson art website and look at the gifts for artist’s section (some are terrifyingly expensive) and look at the acrylic paints options…
I can’t advise re sewing as I know nothing about it but I’d find it hard to go wrong with a gift from Jackson art (oils, in my case) as even if I prefer a particular brand (I do) it’s likely I’d love any of the oil painting gifts.

Oh I don't mind spending money, she deserves a treat, but it's the worry that it'll be wrong and go to waste!

This thread is making me reconsider everything 😅

She will have very specific products that she will use, there's no point in guessing. For example, someone could get me a set of beautiful whatevers but if they're not the exact shade/size/type I need, they'd not be used.

As a mostly garment sewer, I always love anything special from Liberty.

They sell gorgeous fabric cutting scissors as well as quirky clothing patterns and fabrics.

One of my DIL’s who lives in London often buys stuff from there for my birthday or Christmas and it’s always cherished.

My MIL once gave me some beautiful pattern weights, an ideal gift in my mind. They dont take up much space, are useful and if she already has some it's not a problem. I wish I had more.

Try the art shop Skipton online, they have very good value acrylic ranges and lots of offers. I love the acrylic inks, metallics, decent brushes, and alcohol or posca paint pens. They have a gift range but I'm sure they'd make you up a bespoke package to your budget. Inks and Metallics are luxurious and not things you'd usually buy yourself, but are really lovely to have!

I love embroidery and I would absolutely love one of these: https://thefabledthread.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooNYboryo5XEUDV_hNTtsTJ7hjJ82DSKlTSClqVI80uGVeU4xag

@PickledElectricity , I'd ask without telling her why what art materials she'd like but can't justify the cost. You'll need to be subtle, or you could just ask with a suggested budget (in case she's a secret CF).

I’d go Rosemarys brushes or Wallace Seymour art materials.

If she is someone you know quite well I would get her some labels/bias binding from Little Rosy Cheeks or Kylie and the Machine or the Specky Seamstress that you think she would like and a bottle of wine/ flowers.

Personally a Foldline, Fabric godmother or Guthrie and Ghani voucher rocks my world but appreciate you don't want to do vouchers

https://merchantandmills.com/uk/selected-notions-box
As a sewer, I'd love anything from Merchant &Mills. This box looks to be full of useful beautiful things x

@ApisMellifera , yes please!

Why why why do I not get gifts like this?