20 gifts for quilters under $20

November 21, 7:34 AMQuilting ExaminerKelly Smith

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Quilt-themed notecards from BBD Creations.

Next week is Thanksgiving and after that, the biggest shopping day of the year. Even in this tight economy, every quilt group I belong to (right now a bee and a guild) has some kind of "secret pal", "secret Santa", or "secret sister" group.

My bee has a limit of $20 for Xmas gifts and sometimes it's hard to find a nice gift for the designated amount. I like to get creative and find little things on sale throughout the year that add up to a great haul for little money, but some years time gets away from me and I'm scrambling at the last minute.

If that describes you, check out this list of twenty great quilter's gifts for under $20. 

1. Gifts for Quilters lets you register and create a wish list so your family and friends can shop for you and get you what you really want. One thing I really love is a hot cup of tea and they have a selection of mugs featuring the designs of the late Laurel Burch. Each is $15.95 and comes in a matching gift box. Add in a few teabags and you've met the $20 limit.

 

2. BBD Creations is a favorite shop of mine. I've bought from them at quilt shows and recently purchased a slew of book plates and gift tags from them online. Their service is excellent. For exactly $20 you can get your secret pal a quilting journal.

 

3. If you don't think they'd ever use it (and truthfully, I have three that I've never used!) BBD also features assortments of quilt-themed notecards. You get 5 different cards for only $6.00 so you can add these to something else for a nice gift. I use them for every occassion all year round.

 

4. What quilter doesn't want more fabric? (Note I didn't say "needs".) Most quilt shops feature nice little coordinated bundles such as this Deep Forest Batik packet from e-Quilter.com. You get seven rich, fabulous fat quarters for $17.50.

 

5. To help you keep track of all the quilt shows, retreats, classes, guilds, and bee meetings, you need a good calendar, right? Keepsake Quilting has this lovely calender from That Patchwork Place for only $16.95. The calendar includes instructions to make all 12 featured quilts.
   
   That Patchwork Place calendar

 

6. If your secret sister loves to read, why not get her hooked on one of the series of quilting novels? The Elm Creek series is a popular place to start and The Christmas Quilt would make perfect winter reading for only $12.98. If that seems too impersonal you can always throw in a hand-made fabric bookmark.

 

7. For the little quilter in your life, Aiko's Asian Fabric has a reversible fat quarter apron pattern for only $8.00. This would be a fun pattern to work on together and it will come in handy when they help you whip up all those Christmas cookies!

 

8. Quilted in Clay features polymer clay jewelry featuring beautiful quilt blocks. Broaches and earrings (even in sterling silver) are priced under $20.

    

9. Every quilter I know loves sweet treats and nibbles. Snowflake Designs has a huge assortment of candy and cookie fabric so your secret pal can enjoy calorie-fre indulgence! Each fabric is sold in a 6" x 7" square for only $1.75 each, perfect for making Eye Spy or cookie jar quilts. If you order 12 or more squares you get a free pattern.

    

10. Nearly every year I start a new Art to Heart pattern. Nancy Halvorsen's books, patterns and fabrics make me drool. This year she has a cute and cheery Pear Tree pattern for only $8.00.

     

Check back soon for the next 10 items in my "20 under $20" series!