Equipment to go with a sewing machine

[Thingsthatgo]

DD is going to be 12, and we are getting her a sewing machine for her birthday. It’s a beginners Brother machine.
I would like to get some bits to go with it to get her started, but I’m not sure what she needs. She has a decent pair of fabric scissors. So I guess some bobbins and thread and some fabric.
The beginners sets on Amazon look like the thread might be a bit cheap. Is it better to get all the bits separately? Any recommendations? Thank you 🙏🏻

tailor's chalk, a quik-unpic, a pattern for something easy, pins.

Yes, thread is v important, the cheap stuff can be frustrating- it breaks, gets chewed up in the machine etc. The only cheaper thread I've found any good is the brand Moon. Otherwise your local sewing shop will be far better than Amazon.
A zipper foot is very useful and a walking foot. A sewing basket, some pinking shears, a set of universal needles, and a pair of nippers, and some pins!

And a seam ripper is absolutely essential . . .

What is difference between quick
un pick
and seam ripper? I thought they
were the same thing

Agree, don't get cheap thread, it will be a nightmare to use and put her off.

Maybe also get a pack of fabric squares for small projects to get started.

Pinking shears are a good call, they stop the edges of the fabric fraying and are great for trimming seam edges to make them less bulky. I’d also suggest a magnetic seam allowance guide for the machine to help get straight seams and a magnetic pin cushion or needle keeper to prevent sore feet from stepping on dropped pins.

What a fabulous present!

Definitely decent thread. I'd recommend a giant spool of a neutral for most seams and then a nice pack of coloured thread in really bright colours for top stitching.
Rather than buy random stuff that might not be needed, gift her a project voucher. So, when she chooses a project she can redeem the voucher with you and you buy her the things she needs for that project, be it fabric or a special foot or whatever.

Clips, pins, seam ripper, a cutting mat (good for measuring on) and a cutter.

Most sewing machines come with one.

It's usually tucked in the flat bed compartment * with a screwdriver as well to swap the walking/zipper foot.

• That's the boxy plastic bit around the feed dogs that you can remove if you're sewing something more fiddly.

I'd say flat, fabric topped pins, a magnet wrist pin holder, and a good set of Guttermann thread in basic colours.

Measuring tapes, one small retractable metal and one fabric. Embroidery scissors, the ones that look like a stork, for snipping threads.

Not cheap thread, Gutermann thread is good,
Cutting mat, BIGGEST for her space
Good fabric scissors, rotary cutter
WOVEN fabric, medium weight is easier for beginners, do NOT get any stretchy or slippery fabric,
Tote bag is many peoples first project but don't get too thick fabric
Circle skirt is another easy project
Pins with not plastic head (because of ironing), sewing clips (tiny clothes pegs)
Washable fabric pens/pencils
Iron and ironing board if you don't have them
Wait for her for all other stuff to tell you.
You didn't mention what exact sewing machine you got, but some very cheap ones don't do well with thicker fabric.
Sewing is not a cheap hobby. Good luck to you.

Unless your daughter or you used a sewing machine before.
You might ask someone who can use a sewing machine to come over and show her a bit. A neighbour? A cousin? Threading a sewing machine for the first time is harder then you'd expect. There are numbered arrows on sewing machines but still. You tube videos are not that good because there is always a hand in the way or wrong angle for you to see.

Away from the actual equipment, as someone who sews every day I would recommend a very sturdy table for the sewing machine to sit on, to reduce 'shake' and good light.

Oh my! This is amazing! Thank you all. I have birthday and Christmas ‘sewn up’! (Sorry)
She will have a couple of starter lessons with a local woman who used to teach textiles. We have a very sturdy table for her, a decent light, and some drawers to store all of bits. I will get some bits to get her started - thank you so much for your help.

What a fabulous present!
These are all some of the things my dd uses

A magnetic wrist pin holder is good, plus can be used to pick up dropped pins.
A small iron with a thick, felt heat pad, though she does make plush collectibles rather than clothes, so a full size might be better for your dd.
A cotton reel holder would be handy, plus I think they look really nice with the reels on them. IKEA do a really good pin board where you can attach various fittings for various items and you can usually buy 3d printed items off Etsy which are pretty good, including reel holders.
Fabric weights instead of pins. I bought some off Etsy for my dd & she loves them

@PrincessofWills is the moon thread that you mentioned Coats Moon?

As PP Guterman for thread.
Hemline brand is good for scissors/supplies in Hobbycraft and sewing stores

I’d also recommend a little box designed to keep her bobbins in. Stops them unraveling everywhere, I picked one up off Amazon.

https://www.sewingwithmillie.co.uk/category/digital-pdf-patterns
These are great.

Yes!

Glad to see everyone following this thread . . . 😃

What sort of thing does she want to sew, clothes or other stuff? A cutting mat (the bigger the better if clothes are likely to feature in her future) and a rotary wheel cutter are great.

A Tilly and the Buttons book. Comes with the patterns and will actually teach her how to sew her own clothes in a beginner friendly manner.

Is it a good idea to get a finger guard?