Gift tip: a piece of fabric!

Holiday series with creative suggestions,
sewing patterns and fabrics

Imagine: your girlfriend, boyfriend, mother, aunt or colleague asks what you would like as a gift for the holidays. You will answer: "Fabric, please....". The potential giver probably doesn't understand it at all. But you can never have enough fabrics and you just want them as a gift.

You can print this blog and give it to the generous giver. Because if she doesn't know what to do with your wish, the list will make it a lot easier for her or him.

Just give me a piece of cloth
"Could you be more specific?" The potential giver will ask again. Well, you immediately think: it will probably be a gift voucher at Bol.com (Amazone or an other internet giant store) or a fabric store.... But that's like getting a book whose title and author are already known. Sweet and kind, but so impersonal and not surprising ...

Herebye, for your girlfriend, boyfriend, mother, aunt or colleague our list and help:

1. Fabrics
Both offline stores and online fabric stores are often sorted by fabric types. Meaning: Cotton fabrics are statcked together, but also lining fabrics, upholstery fabrics, velvet fabrics, summer fabrics, winter fabrics, etc. etc. And there are often tables / categories with: NEW and SALE.

For a gift it is wise to think about what type of fabric you should buy.

• If she is a quilting fan, focus on cotton fabrics.
  
• If she likes to make thick winter coats, have a look at the wool types.
  
• If she makes a lot of children's clothes, take a look at children's fabrics and fun prints.
  
• Is she chic, businesslike and a minimalist? Choose a uni-colored fabrics without print.
  
• Is she exuberant, hip, modern and likes to stand out: look at the printed fabrics.
  
• Also important: does she like tight clothes? Then look at fabrics that are stretchy or have elastic properties.
  
• Is she a homebody who likes to wear homewear? Buy Alpine fleece, French Terry, or Jogging fabrics.
  
• Does she like to make gala clothes? Take a look at the shiny fabrics, sometimes found in the carnival department or 'festive clothing'.
  
• She likes to make clothes for Cosplay, LARP or Fantasy, ask for advice in the shop or take a look at these pages.
  
• Does she make Chanel-style jackets? Then walk to the table with woolen fabrics and Bouclé fabrics. Can't miss, those beautiful fabrics are always recognizable by their woven appearance and often gold and silver threads in between. You can go for colors but also play it safe: white, black, anthracite are always good!
  

Close your eyes for a moment and think about her purpose and style. If you have this in mind, you can hardly go wrong. And of course you can also ask for advice from an employee or online customer service.

2. Colors
The same actually applies to color. Of course you know what your girlfriend likes. Does she wear dark clothes, bright colors, prints or is she a minimalist pur sang? Choosing colors isn't the hardest part of this process.

3. Quantity
In terms of quantity, you can assume that  one yard of fabric is not good enough. (Unless it's for quilting or cushions). With two yards, or even better three yards, you play it safe. She will easily turn this piece of fabnric into a jacket, pants, skirt or dress. If she likes to make coats or combinations, buy even more fabrics.

Return?
You are ready to buy a nice piece of fabric by fabric type, color and a few meters, but you are still not sure of your choice.  You know that you cannot just exchange or return if the piece of fabric has already been cut from the roll. If uncertainty does not suit you, you can also look at the coupons.

Coupons have already been cut from the roll of fabric and the number of yards are noted on it. Moreover, coupons are usually reasonably priced. You can often exchange or return these (just check by asking the store manager or the customer service).

Summarized:
Buying a 'piece of fabric' as ​​a gift is easier than you think. If combine it with a sewingmagazine or a nice book, then you will have a great gift. We bet it will be much appreciated. In any case, it is much more fun than a gift voucher or  flowers. Buying a piece of fabric for someone else? Just do it!