Presents for Cross Stitchers: Essential Tips
We all love giving and receiving presents. Surprise presents are particularly pleasing. Why wait until it is your friend’s birthday, or for Christmas time? As a cross stitcher, I’m always delighted to receive presents that add to my cross stitching stash. I bet you are too. However, there are definite do’s and don’ts for present-buying. Let’s get the two definite ‘don’ts’ over with first!
1. Beware of buying a kit or pattern… unless you are certain of what your friend wants. You may think, ‘She likes cats, so she’ll surely like this cat picture.’ No! Sadly untrue. Most stitchers are very particular about the designs they stitch. After all, a large design can take many months to complete, and therefore a great investment of time. If your friend is a lover of traditional designs, and you give her a cute design, then that kit may well spend a long time at the back of a cupboard, producing guilty feelings too.
2. Don’t feel you have to spend a lot of money. Cross stitching is a relatively cheap hobby. It is wonderful to be told, ‘I saw this, and knew you would like it’. I recently received a present of a skein of thread. This was no cheapskate present. It was very thoughtful. It was a skein of DMC’s new glow-in-the-dark thread, which looks white in the natural light and which, does as the name suggests. I shall use it in a design, among other white threads, making a secret message that is illuminated in the dark.
Now for the positive suggestions. Before listing some, I have to say that many stitchers will be happy to tell you of their needs. So try asking! If you are determined that a surprise gift is more appropriate, here are some general ideas:
1. Low cost luxuries. Stitchers love gold-plated needles. They glide through fabric more smoothly than their steel equivalents, and they do not leave rust marks. Thread Heaven is a wonderful substance that makes the threads silkier, and therefore easier to stitch. Scissor fobs are delightful adornments that helps stitchers find their scissors too. Needle-cases, pin-cushions, travel bags for projects, good quality embroidery scissors, beads and buttons, speciality threads, such as Light Effects or Metallics are always a treat.
2. Books. Rather than buying huge encyclopaedias of stitching, find out your friend’s favourite designer, then buy a book written by that person.
3. A daylight lamp for evening stitching. This can be used for reading or other hobbies too, so this is an important but relatively expensive buy. It may not be a good surprise present, as stitchers have their personal preferences about lights; you can even buy portable lamps to take around in a small bag. Do ask first!
4. A club or magazine subscription. There are numerous magazines available for cross stitchers as we know. Again, stitchers are choosy; some magazines focus on large designs, and others on small card-type projects. There are a few that explore all types of stitching interests. A membership of Patterns Patch will be appreciated too.
Do share with us the presents you have received or given that have been successful – or otherwise!
Happy Stitching!
Iona
