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 🙏🏻

An unpicker and a seam gauge/small ruler.

What a lovely present.

I've found Coates Moon thread to be great.

Other than the things already mentioned, some simple patterns to get her started, a bag or top depending on what her interest is. Ellie and Mac do some free PDF patterns. If she is going to be sewing a lot, you may also want a printer as a lot of patterns can be downloaded and printed so they can be reused.

The thing I use most is a purple thang (link at the bottom as it's a long one!) it's so simple but has so many uses, it's in my hand most of the time when I'm sewing.

Don't bother with sets or kits which include thread, you're right that they are usually poor quality and small quantities.
Some fabric clips
Hand sewing needles if you don't already have them
A voucher for her to chose things like elastic, buttons and ribbon to build a stock
Fat quarters of fabric to make small projects.

A really good tip I was given was to visit charity shops to pick up bedding sets, these are invaluable for practising on without wasting valuable fabric.

www.sewessential.co.uk/products/purple-thang?variant=57128050459011&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23205948871&gbraid=0AAAAAD_VGsMrmdzdshzhVaapdHXzpv4-9&gclid=CjwKCAjwotzWBhBFEiwA1JhPoFEuvGehkqqVpgNEayfPdyOFnSiutVJ1vdOC86NT4OF6PwQLZjFvsxoCGZkQAvD_BwE

A way of storing bobbins together with the reel of thread they were wound from. I have little pegs the clip the bobbin and the reel together, but then they never fit into any reel storage. Thread walls are lovely, but thread should really be stored out of the light.

No idea what a finger guard is so I wouldn't bother!
I wouldn't buy thread either tbh, I buy a matching one specifically for each project.
Just scissors, pins, tape measure are really essential additions. My machine came with bobbins and a seam ripper.

There are quite a few books on amazon with patterns for things to make with fat quarters, soft toys, bags etc.
A book and a pack or two of fat quarters would make a nice gift if that's the kind of things she would enjoy making.

Some of the coloured spring clips that are similar to clothes pegs I found very useful
A long/ big ruler for marking cutting line

Sewing box containing a seam ripper, zipper foot , sewing threads, needle threader, dressmaking pins, sewing needles , spare machine needles, pin cushion, sewing machine bag/ cover , wax for threading needles, invisible marker pen, tape measure ……

Get Guttermann thread. Beautiful fabrics and some patterns. Extra pins and a wrist pin cushion or magnet.

https://www.therange.co.uk/household/storage/plastic-storage-boxes-and-bags/24-compartment-storage-box#66352

This sort of storage box is handy as well

ETA Great for bobbins

Tailors chalk/pencils in different colours or a heat fading pen.

This is quite a good and not too pricy thread box - I like it as you can store the thread on one spool and a couple of bobbins in the same colour on the next one. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gutermann-Sewing-Thread-Box-Spool/dp/B00FF8ILE4/ref=sr_1_28?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yk7yvB_tpEKzeYKyK-6t37xHr3P1utzNqPeYZmhmqYm5368acGFERRajLePnKs3W_li_B77a6M6P5o4hH60o_OEBXm2sX1f9WzuDFCXoh-CP1-HzI8nQu3oUyL_LHANsOTy37I6KLPuLfa24sLS1v4vnYrfI3xmYi-Bp9UJXpA9XniXoBzO50XoJ0W0ukXuvF_13L584nRhJUZ-gOOjeUonUSEFj0HbtDJyawfpFevBgGhkifpRd89C890O80AxpUXDdTAKQARvtEMiby3JULBrxjpJFgxgpgNM4y7eOVKQ.G3sQRMCQZm3PtAvfVlwtIDWgeYNpb5AGlWHMRCmuJZM&dib_tag=se&qid=1792510504&refinements=p_89%3AG%C3%BCtermann&sr=8-28&srs=19185453031

A cutting mat and rotary cutter.
Great for small projects.

I love making handbags and learned a lot of sewing techniques from this book. It’s great because it’s easy to follow and because it comes with the full size patterns so no need to print or re-size https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bag-Making-Bible-Lisa-Lam-ebook/dp/B00H8B9V86/ref=books_amazonstores_mobile_nis_default?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=wxOHu&content-id=amzn1.sym.2e64a6f3-2f74-4a62-b39f-91a245030392&pf_rd_p=2e64a6f3-2f74-4a62-b39f-91a245030392&pf_rd_r=258-4984357-6372652&pd_rd_wg=JThZ9&pd_rd_r=adeff234-3ae1-474a-8a76-e43b466e88ee

If it’s something she’s interested in then bags are a good learning item, you start with 2 rectangles, straight seams and some webbing to make a simple tote bag. Then make matching straps on the next one with long rectangles and turning out, then the next one you add a lining, then a pocket, then fastenings, then zips/shaping/gussets…..

At each stage you learn new techniques you can apply to clothing or homewares or whatever and you have a functional item you can feel proud of because you made it.