Okay I have my machine, but nothing else. What should I buy?

[ZombiesAteMyCunnyFunt]

My lovely Grandma was so delighted that I want to learn sewing she insisted on buying me a sewing machine, we got one today, it's a very basic one, a Janome 2032.

Can someone very kindly write me a shopping list of things I need? Also advice on any particular brands I should avoid etc would be very helpful. Thank you :)

r3d3 - avoid buying any bobbins that haven't come from the manufacturer (or a reputable dealer) just in case they're not right :)

it's lovely Zombies :)

a really good way to check your tension is to sew a 3inch line on the bias (diagonally across the fabric) (on the thickness you will be sewing - so that's usually two layers)
grab the fabric between your thumb and forefingers just inside each end of the sewing line and pull sharply.
if one side snaps, then the tension needs to be loosened in its favour (so, if the bottom row snaps, tighten the tension dial. if the upper line snaps, loosen the tension dial). if they both snap, it's okay. :)

Hallo Zombies
We will edit your DDs help with the title
Happy sewing.

aw.
i like the help with the title :(

Nickel babe the case is so cute though! Shall I get the bobbins in JL too?

Thanks Nickel :) and thanks for the tip about the tension, I'll have to remember that. If it makes you happy I'll get DD to write a post tomorrow

Thanks Olivia :)

I went shopping yesterday to the only shop in town that sells crafty stuff, Boyes. I bought a bundle of 10 'fat quarters' (that's what the bag is made with), some tailors chalk, pins, a few reels (is that the right word?) of Coats thread, some Janome thread scissors, couple of rulers and some bananas and shrimps (brain food :o ). So I just need to order a few other bits online and I'll be sorted!

My grandmas friend has offered to teach me the basics if I teach her how to use Mumsnet :o:o

r3d3 your best bet for bobbins is to talk to a sewing machine supplier.
try Jaycotts online for advice. :)

sounds like you're going to have great fun

You can buy basic sewing kits on ebay that will probably have enough in to set you off

Coats threads are great but be careful with Guttermann threads. My Janome hated it so much I don't use it any more. It was a nightmare. You might not have the same problem but my mum did on her top of the range Janome and I know several other serious sewers who won't use it so it is not just my dodgy machine. There are better brands of threads out there although it depends what you want to do. For basic day to day sewing you can't go wrong with Coats.

r3d3 - John Lewis may be OK, but avoid universal needles. Go for ones that are right for the job you are doing and don't forget to change them often - every 7 hours of sewing at least. Often little niggles with stitching aren't the fault of the machine, the thread or anything else, it is down to a needle being slightly bent, blunt or wrong for the job. I have lost count of the hours I have spent playing with my machine thinking there was something wrong when all it took was changing the needle.

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Just for you Nickel, DD was more than happy to 'tex tex' :)

thanks.

get sharp needles for normal fabric and tretch needles for stretcy fabric (you can go for jersey or ballpoint needles, which are the same as each other, but my sewing machine woman told me ztretch needles are good for any stretchy fabric)

thanks.

get sharp needles for normal fabric and tretch needles for stretcy fabric (you can go for jersey or ballpoint needles, which are the same as each other, but my sewing machine woman told me ztretch needles are good for any stretchy fabric)

My most favourite new gadget is a sort of purple rubber donut to store bobbins in. They don't fall out and you can see them all at once. I like to have 10000000 bobbins, so I don't have to wind them when I change colour.
I am a complete haberdashery obsessive and can get excited about a bias binding maker :)

Did you mean stretch, Nickel? I googled tretch but it came up with 'Did you mean stretch needles?' And gave me results for stretch needles.

I am intrigued about this purple rubber donut...

zombie !

yes, stretch.
my tablet thinks it's not necessary to show the letters that I try to type....

Modern technology eh? Who'd have it!?!

My best tips:

Keep it simple, you don't need a lot of stuff. I have hardly any equipment, never have had, you don't need it. Worked in industry for years, sample machinists use 1 pair of scissors and about 6 pins and that's it.

Get best quality fabric you can.

Prepare well

Lightly does is with pressing - you can add a bit more steam/heat but you can't take it away

Equipment
Best quality and largest size scissors you can afford
Separate scissors for paper - NEVER use your good scissors on paper
Unpicker
decent quality tape measure
Chalk
Good ruler and/or set square (if you have ideas about making or altering patterns)
pins with heads

Update your iron to the best you can afford, plenty of steam and teflon or coated sole.

extra sewing machine needles, threads, buttons and a sharp pair of shears. Just find a pattern and fabric and your off. Tailors chalk is great, although the liquid chalk pens are brilliant. Have fun!

Bumping this as it will be useful for me.

I found one of the little sort of square measuring guides really handy - it has 1/4", 1/2", 5/8" etc.

Also, don't know if this is universal, but my tape measure is 5/8" or 1.5cm wide - the standard seam allowance.

Tailor's chalk in several colours is quite useful, too. I have it in blue, cream and a sort of red. That way, you can be sure of having a colour that will show up on the material you are using.

The people saying you need very little are absolutely right. That is why I do not have multiple gorgeous sewing kits, masses of fabric that I'll more than likely not use and tins and tins and tins of...well not much, I just like tins. Do not be like me. I do have fiskars scissors that I've owned since I was ten too, so all is not lost.
Happy sewing