Best place to buy sewing thread?

[moragbellingham]

I've just received my new sewing machine and need to get a good selection of thread/bobbins etc.
I'm going to John Lewis later but think this is too expensive for bulk buying, any other ideas gratefully received.

Also, do I need any other bits and bobs?

I would suggest ebay especially if you aren't too bother about what type of thread it is. I know that there are sellers who sell packets of many colours but they are usually polyester.

As for other bits, it depends really on what you intend to make. What are you planning?

Is this the sort of thing you were after?

Whoops, pressed post too soon. Here is another one. Or this?

Yes, that's the king of thing - the second one. Lots of different colours etc.

You have given me an idea with that site being curtain makers now. Curtain discount shop just up the road from me might stock thread too.

Thanks.

The woman in JL said polyester is better as it's stronger and doesn't snag as much.

My mum bought me a sewing machine and lots of bits for it a few years back - got me a mix of coloured thread from Dunelm Mill.

I like Guttermans best,

my machine hates coats, it always play up when I use it - it seems to have a slight stretch to ti that my (very) old machine does not like.

However my JL has stopped selling Guttermans and I have to go to small independent stores to buy it.

Do you have a market with a haberdashery stall near you? You will be able to see the quality before buying because sometimes thread can be cheap old rubbish and will keep snagging and breaking. Big cones don't always fit on a domestic machine. You could also buy stuff like bias binding, trimmings etc.

Not sure if this is your first machine and that you have not sewn much before. If so, I would suggest buying pins with plastic round heads (they are easier to handle), sharp cutting out scissors, small embroidery scissors, a thread snipper, tape measure, plastic ruler, fabric marking pencil with a brush on the end. Another thing that I find useful is a desk-light so I can see better.

What are you going to make?

I've bought cheap thread from IKEA before but wouldn't recommend it, seems to snap constantly in my machine.

The curtain place you mention probably has some, the place near me has a big bargain bin of assorted colours which is where I've picked a lot of my thread up

No markets around my area with any haberdashery stalls unfortunately but today I spied an old fashioned fabric shop, yay. Couldn't go in so will have to wait till DC free for a rummage.

I haven't made anything since school but this is my first machine and so I have nothing in the way of supplies.
Thanks for the tips about stuff to get and have just realised that our energy saving lights are way too dim and will need a boost.

I have DDs so am thinking children's clothes and dolly clothes at the mo and basic repairs.
Evening courses next

if you're bulk-buying, then go to Morplan.

they mainly do stuff for the fashion retail market, but I get loads of sewing stuff from them.

www.morplan.com

(you have to go to Manufacturing supplies)

oh, and basic equipment - the thing you will need msiot and use the most (and is the most essential piece of equipment) is an unpicker.
the smaller one is fine, the bigger one is just showing off