Applique Scissors: I use these scissors for almost everything. Seriously. Half the time I don’t pick anything up but these for hours.
Every day Scissors: These are my work horse scissors. I use them for anything that doesn’t require as much precision.
Light Tear Away Stabilizer: I use this any time I have thin or wiggly fabric that I need help controlling through my machine. I also use it behind all of my button holes.
Bobbins: I like to order my bobbins en masse. My machine takes the “Class 15” bobbin. I use pre-wound bobbins a lot. Especially when doing embroidery.
Machine: I currently have a BabyLock Aventura. This machine has an embroidery unit and is reasonably priced for its functions.
Iron: I have an entire post on how much I love this iron. It’s wonderful. You can find the post here. It also links to my favorite starch.
Stabilizers: I have quite a few stabilizers that I use for various reasons. I will list my most commonly used stabilizers here.
Sulky Sticky Fabri Solvy: this stuff is magical. I mainly use it for hand embroidery. You can draw or print your design on the front, then stick it to the top of your project and follow along the drawing. Here’s a link directly to their website if you’re not an Amazon person.
Sulky Sticky Tear Away: I use this for almost all embroidery. If I need a more substantial stabilizer, I put stitch in ditch behind this. I am not a professional embroiderer-I mainly embroider fabric that has not yet been sewn so this stabilizer is perfect for basically everything I do. Again, here’s a link directly to their website if you’re not an amazon person.
Seam Ripper: I love this seam ripper because it has a rubber lid that helps you remove all those stray threads that are left after you seam rip.
Interfacing: I mainly use this baby interfacing. I use this on collars, facings, bonnet brims, etc. If I need a thicker interfacing, I just layer this.
Rotary Cutter: I use this when I’m cutting around precise parts of a pattern-I feel like the smaller blade gives me more control. I love this seam ripper.
Pleater: I have a vintage 16 needle Read pleater that was gifted to me. It is a workhorse. I’ve pleated everything from thin batistes to corduroy. if you can get your hands on an old one, do.
Pressing Cloth: I use this to set in or remove pleats.
All Purpose Machine Needles: These are extremely reasonably priced and can be purchased in bulk. I use them for basically everything except for knits.
Awl: this is a new notion for me. It can be used to help push fabric as your sewing, it can be used for making piping, really any time you need to control the fabric under the needle.
Favorite needle for Buillon Roses: This “Straw” or Miliner needle is great for buillons because the head is not wider than the body of the needle.
Elastic: 70 yards of 1/4 in elastic for 7 dollars is hard to argue with…
