We’re making a list and checking it twice...
The 2020 Quilt Buzz Gift Guide
It’s the first annual gift guide for all your quilting needs!
As the end of the year approaches (and, boy oh boy, what a year it has been!) perhaps you’ll find yourself scratching your head, wondering what to get a special quilter in your life. Or perhaps you’ll be asked what you’d like for the holidays and you’ll find yourself scratching your head once again.
Well, never fear! We’ve got a fabulous line up of gift ideas just for you, courtesy of our 2020 Guests and the Quilt Buzz Team. From art books to the quilting ruler you never knew you wanted, the guide is chock-full of inspiration (and maybe something to treat yourself to!).
Lorna @clothandcrescent, Episode 1
Arounna Khounnoraj's new Visible Mending book
"2020 has been a year where dressmaking, slow fashion and ethical practices have become more of a priority for me, so mending is a skill that's very much on my 2021 to-master list. I love everything that Arounna does, and I can't wait to learn some of her wisdom and apply it to my own wardrobe through her new book."
And make sure to check out Lorna’s Mirrored Mountains Pattern: it’s one of our absolute favorites (in fact, Amanda was a tester for it back in the day and cannot say enough good things about it)!
Shannon @shannonfraserdesigns, Episode 2
“A notion that I buy and would gift to any quilter would be a bottle of Flatter Smoothing Spray. Not something we always think to add to our quilty tool box, but a lovely addition that helps press those stubborn wrinkles smooth without relying on starch, while also being environmentally friendly. Oh, and did I mention they smell amazing 😊 Lots of scents to choose from (including scentless)!”
If you’re looking to make a fellow quilter something unique and bespoke, then Shannon’s go-to gift is a handmade Sit ‘n Sew Pincushion. Handmade notions are just the best. They not only make the recipient feel special, but it’s a gift they’ll use and think of you each time they do!
Dash @smithsgeneralstudio, Episode 3
Gingher Stork Embroidery Scissors
Dash’s go-to-notion-as-a-gift pick is “my very favorite Gingher stork scissors. I love them because they are incredibly sharp and smooth and last for years. They are a true sewing kit staple and an instant heirloom.”
And make sure to check out Dash’s latest quilt pattern, Gather Together (a fitting title for the season!). It is inspired by starlings gathering in murmuration, evolved to represent the need to metaphorically gather together to support one other.This intermediate quilt pattern is full of clever construction methods that make it fun and quick to put together. And while you’re at it, grab yourself a B&W quilt kit on pre-order!
Laura @prequilt + @commonwealthquilts, Episode 4
What does Laura want this year for the holidays? “I'd really love a Mini Oliso iron -- I was in line to buy one at QuiltCon and they sold out before I could get one! But now I'd love a blue one! I love the versatility of this cute little iron and how it fits in the palm of my hand. I can easily see it not taking up too much space in my small sewing space (aka dinner table) and the pointed tip will be great for pressing some hard to press spots in my garment sewing and FPP! Santa, it'll even fit in my stocking!!!” Oh, and dear Santa, it’ll fit in our stockings too. Hint, hint.
An Annual Subscription to PreQuilt
Looking to up your pattern design game? Like to play with different fabric color options with the click of a button? May we all (wholeheartedly) suggest an annual subscription to PreQuilt. Wendy has been a fan since day one and got Amanda + Anna on board when we put on Quilt Buzz Bingo this summer.
Jenn @sewfinethreadgloss + @jennmcmillan, Episode 6
LDH Imperial Dragon & Pheonix Scissors
Jenn absolutely loves these scissors! “These small and medium sized scissors pack amazing quality into a stunning design! Heavy duty - able to cut through multiple layers of fabric, and the perfect size for having in your sewing kit, or beside your machine.”
Thread Gloss 2020 Holiday Collection
And we’re all hoping to find a tin (or two) of Jenn’s Sew Fine Thread Gloss' 2020 Holiday Collection in our stocking (Egg Nog, Cinnamon Chai, Candy Cane, Gran's Kitchen, Sugar Cookie & Oak Barrel Cider: what beats the smell of the holidays!?!?). There's nothing better than snuggling under the quilt you're currently hand-binding, and these warm and inviting holiday scents make it feel that much cozier! Plus, Jenn has a Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend sale going on - starting midnight Friday Nov. 27th, get 20% off everything in the shop using code BFCM. Sale runs until Nov. 30th at 11:59pm, so be sure to take advantage of the sale, as the online shop will be closed for the entire month of December!
Jenny @pappersaxsten, Episode 7
Handprinted Fabric by Lucy Engels
Jenny swears that she still isn’t begging for forgiveness for breaking the sacred trust of her Quilty-Best-Friendship with Lucy Engels: “I’m not just still groveling” (see the Quilt Buzz Episode 15 featuring Lucy). She just so happens to be suggesting that the perfect gift for your quilty BFF or yourself is some of Lucy’s printed fabrics and prints. As she says, “I do truly love Lucy’s designs.” We do too, Jenny, we do too.
We’d also totally love to find a pay as you feel Gift Card from @pappersaxsten: whether you’re at loss at what to get your friend for Christmas or maybe you’re responsible for picking the gift for yourself, let’s face it, we’ve all earned a treat this year. There are patterns, templates and quilts in Jenny’s shop and a list of curvy courses will be appearing soon (and Team Quilt Buzz can’t say enough good things about Jenny’s curves classes!). As Jenny says: “you don’t have to pick, just get a pay as you feel gift card and to recipient (read you) can decide for them (your) selves later!”
Francesca @noaestheticquilts, Episode 9
9 1/2 Triangle Square Up Ruler by Quilt in a Day
Francesca pro HST trimming tip? This ruler. She’s “a huge fan of these Quilt in a Day HST square-up rulers, which come in many different sizes. A good ruler like this helps get those perfect points and takes a lot of stress out of trimming.” Sounds like a dream come true!
And make sure to check out Francesca’s first ever quilt pattern: it’s rocking some serious bold geometric shapes (which we love)!
Porfiria @mrsporfiria, Episode 10
What’s Porfiria’s absolute-must-have? It’s her “Gutterman 100% cotton hand sewn thread, I love it so much I usually buy it out everywhere I go, it leaves my quilts looking so Organic & Vintage with a modern twist! It really is my go to item in my quilting box.”
And then make sure to mark your calendars: on December 28 she will launch her very first quilt pattern! In Porfiria’s own words: “my quilt is super simple for the beginner quilter, a quilt after my very own heart that embodies the hashtag #roguequilter....... I want everyone to just have fun with it!”
Shelly @matantequilting, Episode 11
If anyone knows about burying threads, it’s Shelly! Her go-to tool is “the aptly-named Snag Magic. As a longarm quilter, I'm constantly burying thread knots in quilt tops. I tried every version of self-threading needle on the market, but none of them were easy for my clumsy fingers to thread, and I found them too short to grab onto. Enter the Snag Magic, which makes threading AND pulling a breeze! This would work for longarm quilters, hand quilters, machine quilters, and anyone who likes to tie a lot of knots in their quilts! As a bonus, you can use it to hide a snag in your favorite cashmere sweater that your cat destroyed with his claws as he was trying to escape your non-consensual hug (just as a random example).”
Beginner Quilt Photography Course
Looking to up your quilt photography game? Make sure to check out Shelly’s Beginner Quilt Photography course! She takes a lot (and we mean A LOT of photos of a lot of different style quilts: make sure to check out her IG feed!), so she’s got it down to a system!
Chris @afullenglish, Episode 12
If you listened to Chris’ episode, you’ll know he’s a fan of Jean-Michel Basquiat (make sure to check out the Basquiat Archive IG account as per Chris’ suggestion!). This year, he’s treating himself to a copy of Taschen’s new Basquiat book for the holidays (and we can’t say we blame him!).
Looking for some serious inspiration? Make sure to give yourself the treat of checking out Chris’ work and listen to his episode. Side note: Amanda wanted to set up a Kickstarter campaign for Chris’s future cross-country road trip as a holiday “surprise,” but she was reigned in by Anna + Wendy.
Andrea @3rdstoryworkshop, Episode 13
Diagonal Seam Tape by Cluck Cluck Sew
People talk about the magic of the holidays, but what about the magic of quilting notions? Andrea’s pick sounds like pure magic: with the Diagonal Seam Tape by Cluck Cluck Sew “never mark lines for your HSTs again with this magic tape! Use it for both HSTs and QSTs, in my upcoming pattern and QuiltCon workshop, Sunset Sawtooth.”
Looking for a little something fun to get the sewists in your life (maybe for a Yankee Swap or a Secret Santa or “just because”)? Get these stickers for your quilt- and fiber-loving buddies! Send them a note to say hello this holiday season (shipping within Canada and the USA is included).
Keyana @collectivequilts, Episode 14
Keyana’s favorite notion “that should be on everyone’s Christmas list is a pair of LDH snips! They are gorgeous and come in two colors; black and gold! They are sharp and do a wonderful job at cleaning up those loose pesky threads on the backs or your quilts. The design allows you to make a clean trim and ergonomically are an ease to use. They are wonderful for quick trimming while sewing. I keep a pair next to my sewing machine at all times!”
Color of Connection Quilt
And we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: for the holiday season everyone should treat themselves to the Color of Connection Quilt Pattern that releases January 1st 2021, and then should go ahead and join the Quilt Along (starts February 1, 2021). Color of Connection was created as a movement to allow for more inclusivity in the modern quilting community! Make sure to follow Color Of Connection on IG and sign up on their website www.colorofconnectionquilt.com to learn more about our non-profit initiatives.
Lucy @_lucyengels, Episode 15
Lucy’s in good company on this one: Anna, Wendy, and Amanda ALL love the Hera Marker by Clover. As Lucy so succinctly put it, “it completely avoids the need for fabric marking pens and allows you to level up your quilting.” Plus it’s the perfect stocking stuffer.
With winter fast approaching, we’re all looking for projects to sink our teeth into. And one that tops all our lists is Lucy’s Naive Melody quilt pattern. Feeling some trepidation about applique? Lucy swears that “even if you have never appliqued before the shapes and construction is straightforward. And it encourages you to get really creative to make a completely unique quilt of your own.” Fine, twist our arm, Lucy!
Ben @benmillett, Episode 16
Add-an-eighth Ruler + Sidekick Ruler
Ben knows his rulers! And his top picks? The Add-an-eighth ruler which he relies on for his foundation paper piecing, especially when working with smaller pieces: “it helps keep the bulk down where Add-a-quarter rulers might leave too much seam allowance.” And the Sidekick ruler. “This ruler was really helpful when making my Kona 365 jacket and other projects with similar 4” finished equilateral triangles. It helps to make sure I’ve got the triangles just right and trim off just enough of each point to help with block matching.”
Looking for a speedy project with a whole ton of visual impact? Make sure to check out Ben’s Slice Is Right pattern. We’re all thinking this could be an awesome quilt to add some hand quilting detail to (while snuggled up next to a roaring fire, of course!).
Erin @theblanketstatement, Episode 17
Thimble & Thread
Erin’s hand quilting/hand binding go to? Her Clover Natural Fit Leather Thimble and a spool of 12wt Aurifil thread in 2021 (plus a tin of Ruby Grapefruit Sew Fine thread gloss from Jenn of Episode 6). As Erin puts it, “a thimble and thread is all you need for hours of fun. I can't think of a much better way to spend a dark, cold winter evening than snuggled up hand quilting or binding.”
And if you’re looking for a pattern to add some hand quilting detail to (or just looking for an awesome beginner friendly quilt pattern), make sure to check out her best-selling Pine Falls pattern!
Charles @feltlikesweets, Episode 18 (Out December 3)
We all nodded in agreement when Charles suggested his go-to gift of WALK 2.0 (we’re all fans). And he speaks from experience! He “just treated myself to a copy of WALK 2.0: More Machine Quilting with Your Walking Foot by Jacquie Gering. It's a perfect introduction and motivation toward quilting both easy and more challenging patterns on your domestic machine. (Jacquie's first book on the topic is also fantastic!!)”
Crooked Crosses and Bent Boxes
Looking to step outside the proverbial patchwork box? Make sure to check out Charles’ Crooked Crosses and Bent Boxes pattern! It’s a semi-improv modern quilt pattern, written for advanced beginners who want the look and feel of improv but who are not quite ready to give up their rulers. This modern quilt pattern contains instructions for 3 quilt sizes using Fat Quarters, Quarter Yards, Half Yards or Yardage!
Julie @runningstitchquilts, Episode 20 (Out December 31)
Diagonal Seam Tape by Cluck Cluck Sew
Ever wonder how Julie makes her HSTs so perfect? Well, we were planning to ask her in her upcoming recording, but the cat’s out of the bag. Like Andrea, Julie loves the Diagonal Seam. As she says, “I love using this tape to speed up the piecing process because it eliminates the need to mark the diagonal line when making HST, Flying Geese, and when snowballing corners.” Because who enjoys marking diagonal lines?!?!?
And if you’re looking for a lovely new pattern to dive into, make sure to check out Julie’s Desert Charm pattern! It utilizes big blocks that are made up of several different elements making it great for quilters looking for a skill builder pattern. And not only does the pattern includes instructions for three sizes (baby, throw, bed), but it also has two design variations (scrappy and solids).
And here is what Team Quilt Buzz is getting for folks this year:
Wendy @the.weekendquilter
Wooden Notions by Modern American Vintage
“What do you give a one of a kind gift to a quilter?” is a question Wendy likes to ask unprompted because she has a very good answer: the “Wooden seam ripper, point turner and Hera marker kit by Modern American Vintage in Nevada. Each piece has been carefully handcrafted. The large handles feel great in your hand and allows you to have better control and grip compared with plastic tools.”
Empire State Mini Quilt kit from Great Heron Thread Co.
And if you’re looking for a one-stop-pattern-and-fabric-kit, Wendy’s Empire State Mini Quilt Kit from the Great Heron Thread Co is the perfect gift for the recipient that is new quilting or would like to give it a go:there are two fun and modern colour palettes to choose from. Each kit comes with 5 fat quarters for the quilt top, binding and 3/4 yards for the quilt back.
Anna @waxandwanestudio
Wonderfil Snowday Stitching Holiday Pack
If you’ve been hanging around with us, you know Anna loves her hand quilting (as she puts it: “spending a snow day (or any day really) stitching away is the best.”). So when Anna suggests some threads to up your holiday sewing game, we all listen. This Snowday Stitching Holiday Pack by Wonderfil has us dreaming of roasting chestnuts by the fire, with a hot apple cider in hand, and a hand quilting project in our laps!
Looking for a mini quilt pattern (maybe one to add some hand quilting details to?). Make sure to check out the second in a series of mini quilts inspired by runes by Anna! This design is to make you think about compassion and how you can make more room for it in your life (a perfect meditation to work on as we think through our 2021 resolutions!).
Amanda @broadclothstudio
As Amanda puts it, “I've been known to drop a few pins or two in my day, so this magnetic pin cushion is a life saver (I wave it around like a magic wand along the floor to grab any escaped pins). Plus, it truly does keep my pins nice and organized and easy to reach without fear of pricking my fingers!” She’s also hoping her mom isn’t reading this because that’s what she’ll be finding in her stocking this year...
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Amanda couldn’t be more excited because that means it’s time for Quiltmas! Make sure to join in the fun (who could say no to twelve free block patterns? Or an awesome giveaway?!?!) over on Broadcloth Studio because as Amanda likes to say “the best way to spread Quiltmas cheer is by Quilting loud for all to hear!”