Ssssshhhh! Presents for DDs!!!!!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Just busy [STRIKE]bit[/STRIKE] commenting upon Kirstie Allsop's homebought crimbo show and I finally had an idea [quick! run!].

DD1 (17) is doing A Level Textiles, Photography and Music Tech.

I'm in the process of trying to move, so I don't really want to spend hundreds on Xmas this year. She got a camera for her birthday, as it was needed for her course. She has access to a full size sewing machine here and a mini one from her dad and stepmum for when she's there.

She has murdered my craft stuff. So I thought - why not get her a big kit of her own?

So - what would you recommend I get her?

I have just found out that the nearest department store reopened their haberdashery department (well, it had shrunk to one old lady and three shelves of dusty cotton, and is now huge again), so I can quite easily go and spend quite a bit in there, as long as I have an idea of what everyone thinks are essential items.

Anyone?

Oh - and DD2 wants to get into textiles (10 years old). I would think of a needlepoint kit as it's a bit easier than x stitch (IMO), what other things would you suggest?

Penelope_Penguin

I'd buy her the best pair of dressmaking scissors you can afford

Penny. x

Bunny200

Lots of sheets of felt, ribbon, rickrack, buttons etc cos you always need little things for projects. Stuffing, wading, pins, chalk, disappearing pens, embroidery thread & hoop, tape measure. Cutting board & rotary cutter. Sewing box to keep it all in?

Hang on this is what I want.............

Gigervamp

A pair of pinking shears.

shellsuit

I was browsing the other day and saw this, I think it's lovely for someone who does dress making/sewing: http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/p-13823-cath-kidston-twin-lid-sewing-basket-spray-flowers.aspx

23rdspiral

shellsuit wrote: »

I was browsing the other day and saw this, I think it's lovely for someone who does dress making/sewing: http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/p-13823-cath-kidston-twin-lid-sewing-basket-spray-flowers.aspx

it is pretty, but only as high as your hand, so not too useful if you've got a lot of bits. i use a few vintage tins (charity shop/tip/m&s biscuit) for my sewing kit and various notions. i can just take down off the shelf what i need that day.

i'll second the pinking sheers and the good taylors scisors - not very exciting at first but she'll praise them for years to come!

celyn90

I would choose something like a die-cutting machine (sizzix type or the like). I have one and it's great - they will cut paper, fabric and all sorts of things

And good scissors

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

So far, I have bought;

The most expensive pair of scissors in the Universe (well, anything over the cost of the triple packs in IKEA is expensive to me) by Fiskars.

A retracting tape measure.

Darning needles.

Embroidery needles.

Tapestry needles.

Pearl head pins.

Tailors' Chalk.

Stitch Ripper.


I shall continue adding things as and when I can this week and next.

And I will be looking forward to the day in which I can help myself to her stuff, leave it in a mess with the majority of things either loose at the bottom of the box or missing. It shall be payback day for all the years of searching for things only to realise the last person to have contact with the missing item was not me...

missychrissy

I would buy a large toolbox. I keep all my floristry stuff in one but they are just as good for sewing and crafts. I bought 3 earlier this year in Aldi for about £5 each for my 3 grandsons. I will gradually add bits to them depending on their interests eg art, diy tools, gardening etc. for a future present.

I also save any ribbons, bits of Christmas crackers, buttons etc., anything that can be used to decorate homemade items.

Sunshine12

Definately try ebay. You can get loads of this kind of stuff for much cheaper.