Ultimate Holiday Stocking Suffers Guide for Quilters 2025

It’s the best time of the year, and popping in to make it extra festive and fun with a list of stocking stuffers approved by quilters for quilters!

There’s nothing better than using a notion or tool that helps you get the quilty job done quicker and easier. Quilting is a long enough process as it is, so finding little tricks to help expedite the process so that you can make more quilts is the goal here 😉

But knowing you’re using a tool or notion that is a favourite and must-have in a fellow quilter’s sewing kit helps ease that concern of whether you’re buying something that will actually help and not just sit there collecting dust.

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Inspiration from Fellow Quilters

That’s why I scoured the What’s in Your Sewing Bag? Series to see what the guests had shared as their all-star items.

After reading through 50 blog posts and refreshing my memory on all the goodies that have been recommended by the modern makers over the years, I came to this top ten list.

Criteria to make the list

Here was my criteria for items that made the list:

• They had to be recommended by more than one maker.
• It had to be something I’d used personally or planned on it – ha!
• The item had to bring both joy and efficiency to your quilting adventures.
• It had to be under $25 USD.

Stocking Stuffers Recommended for Quilters by Quilters

So, with the criteria identified, I dove in and started reading.

Here’s what your fellow modern quilters shared as being their All-Star Item:

Marking Tool

Hera Marker – most referenced this one (which is what I have, too!), but a few had these from Modern American Vintage. My first introduction to these lovely wooden tools was when Suzy included them in her list of all-star essentials, and it’s on my quilty wish list!

Thread

Aurifil Thread – different makers have different weight preferences, but most included 50wt 😉 You can read more about my favourite thread weights to stitch with, and why I love Aurifil.

Thread Gloss

Sew Fine Thread Gloss – this one popped up quite frequently, with most commenting on loving the smells – ha! I can’t argue there. They’re stocked in my sewing kit and I use them mainly when I’m creating a blind stitch for my binding. I used to use Thread Heaven, but they retired. I believe this one is similar.

Binding Clips

Binding Clips – I actually started with small binder clips (which totally work), I then got some of these OG ones, before bringing in these dupes (which do break, but have been holding up!). They’re great if you’re working with leather or any other material that you don’t want to pierce with pins.

I find myself using larger ones (similar to these) in my garment-making adventures and for organizing my quilt projects (learn how I organize my projects here).

Small Scissors

Embroidery Scissors – This tool definitely comes back to personal preference. You don’t need a fancy pair. I started with $3 snips I picked up at my local fabric store. That said, good-quality scissors feel wonderful to use and seem to hold their sharpness longer. I have this pair at my sewing machine, this pair (which was called out the most by fellow quilters) in my sewing kit, and this pair at my pressing mat.

These micro-tip ones were mentioned a few times, as were Japanese-style ones.

Glue

Glue Stick – Not exactly a notion you automatically think about when it comes to sewing and quilting – ha! But it’s surprisingly versatile. I use glue sticks regularly for joining paper templates, in my foundation paper piecing, and sometimes even for my quilt binding.

This one is most commonly used for English Paper Piecing, and it’s what made me love EPP basting (as opposed to thread basting – I share more about this here).

I also have this one with a fine tip that I’ve used to help with visible mending, but lots of quilters use it for their piecing (instead of pins) and their binding.

Pins

Pins – while I often forgo pins in my piecing, they do come in handy for keeping your blocks together. They’re also super nifty at helping you lock in your nested seams (aka when I use them the most). These were often called out by guests in the WIYSB series (I have them, too!), but several years ago I switched to these, and I absolutely love them.

Needles

Hand quilting needles – this comes back to personal preference, as we seem to feel strongly about our needles! I think the best approach is to sample your own to see which feels the best to you. These, these and these were named as faves John James, Tulip Sashiko, Jeanna Kimball, Richard Hemming & Sons Milliner and large eye (giucy giuce)

Thimbles

If you’re doing any hand stitching, then a thimble will come in handy for protecting your finger(s).

Leather Thimble – this was a commonly recommended notion, and I couldn’t agree more. It took me a while to find a thimble that I love, and this is my go-to. I love how it moulds to your finger, making it uber comfortable. So much so, I often forget that I’m wearing it – ha! Oh, I should mention, some makers prefer their leather thimble with a metal pad (I prefer without).

Silicone and Rubber Thimbles – this silicone one was my first attempt at upgrading from the classic metal thimbles (which just make my finger sweat). And these rubber ones were called out quite a few times as well, and they’re in my sewing kit, too! I use this and this to increase my grip on the needle.

Thimble Pads – Emily called this one out, and I have a pack in my sewing kit…I just haven’t really used them much because I personally found the leather thimble gives me better protection. See, personal preference.

Screwdriver

Small Screwdriver – Jeni mentioned this, and I have one, too! It actually came with my Juki, and I use it all the time to switch my feet out and change my needle. Plus, I need it to get my sewing plate off – ha! It sits next to my sewing machine for easy access (instead of in my sewing bag).

Seam Roller

Seam Roller – I was super dubious about these, but I was wrong – ha! If you’re an avid FPPer then I highly recommend adding this tool to your quilty notions repertoire. It means you don’t have to hit the pressing mat, but can easily press your seams on your cutting mat or next to your sewing machine. It also means not worrying about distorting your paper (which used to happen to me when I used my iron and steam). The Larch and Fraser Fir quilt blocks from the Little Forest Quilt involve lots of foundation paper piecing seams, so this tool was beyond handy!

Trusty Seam Ripper

Seam Ripper – This is a necessary evil in sewing and quilting – ha! Seam ripping is certainly not my favourite task, but wow is it ever handy when you’ve made a stitching mistake and need to fix it. Just a heads up that every time you rip a seam, you run the risk of stretching and damaging your fabric. So, proceed with caution 😉 There seem to be two favourites out there. This one and this one, but I’ve used this one to great effect ever since I started sewing back in 2011.

As you’re filling stockings this holiday season, remember that the best gifts are the ones that bring both joy and practicality to your quilting adventures. Whether it’s a trusty seam ripper, a cozy leather thimble, or that perfect spool of Aurifil thread, these little treasures are proof that thoughtful tools can spark big creative magic. I’d love to hear which stocking stuffer makes your quilting heart happiest—share your must-have notion in the comments and let’s keep inspiring one another to stitch more joy into the season!

xo,

Shannon

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