Best Stocking Stuffer Christmas Gifts for the Embroiderer

Needles, average price 1.15 per pack

Every one who embroiders is thankful for more needles. These come in a great variety--even gold! If you are dealing with someone who embroiders with floss or crewel yarn, you'll want to look for Embroidery/Crewel Needles. If they are a counted cross-stitcher, then make sure the needle pack states for Counted Thread or Cross-stitch. There is a difference between the two. Embroidery needles have a sharp point for piercing fabric and Cross-stitch needles have a round point for passing between the threads of the cloth.

Embroidery Scissors or Thread Snips, average price 8.00

Like needles, you can't go wrong giving a stitcher a new pair of snips. For many types of embroidery having a tiny but very sharp set of scissors can make all the difference, particularly when doing cut work like Hardanger. Scissors come in a wide range of options from decorative shapes to titanium. There's even a folding set that is perfect for taking your embroidery with you while traveling. Look for scissors with small, very sharp points.

Needle Threaders and Cutters, average price 2.00

There is a huge variety of these from the very inexpensive aluminum kind to some very fancy novelty threaders, many with built in thread cutters. A needle threader can sometimes be mandatory, particularly the older an embroiderer gets. Threading a tiny embroidery needle is much easier with a needle threader and they are the perfect size to stuff into a stocking.

Magnetic Needlecase, price varies depending on materials

There are plastic magnetic needle cases and then there are the super fancy ones where the embroiderers own work can grace the cover. Why would someone need one of these? If you've ever lost a needle in a couch cushion, you know why. Those needles are tiny and hard to find when you drop them. A magnetic needlecase grabs the needle and keeps it until you decide to pick it up. It can also be run across a place where you dropped a needle and often pick it right up.

Plastic or Paper Bobbins, average price 1.50

An embroiderer will often start out with a neat skein of embroidery floss. When the pattern does not require the entire skein, or it gets loose and tangled, a plastic or cardboard bobbin is the perfect solution. Threads can be wound around this bobbin and neatly stored on a key ring.

Bobbin Winder, average price 1.60

If you use the above bobbins, having a bobbin winder can really ease the loading of the thread onto the bobbin. These do not have to be fancy, are easy to use and very inexpensive.

Thread Heaven® Thread Conditioner, average price 3.99

Thread Conditioner can help an embroiderer to have straight, smooth stitches. The thread is run across the conditioner sponge and it lays the fibers very straight. This can aid in preventing kinks and twists in the thread. Much easier to work with and the embroidery looks more professional.

Decorative Thimbles, price varies depending on materials

You can't go wrong with this stocking stuffer. Though not all embroiderers physically use a thimble, I know very few who don't enjoy collecting them. Thimbles come in a variety of mediums too. There's china, wood, brass, cloisonné, and ceramic. They have thimbles with various states, flowers, birds and a variety of others. I have treasured the thimbles my own son used to bring me from any state he went to. To give you an example, here's a set of 3 Butterfly Bone China Thimbles for 11.95 at Herrschner's online.

Where can you purchase up items like these?

Though embroidery supplies in craft stores do appear to be shrinking, you can still pick up these items at stores like Michael's, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, Ben Franklin's and Herrschner's. Many of these shops also allow you to purchase online. For the thimbles, look in not only craft stores, but most souvenir shops will also carry them.

Here are a few links you can start with:

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores
Herrschner's
Sewing and Craft Club
Ben Franklin Craft's Store Directory
Michael's

These should give you lots of ideas for that special needle crafter you know. For More Information on Embroidery gifts in general, see, "Embroidery Tutorial: A beginner's kit"