Uploaded May 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Listen to the full episode here
sewhere.com/podcast/sewing-out-loud/get-buy-sewing-machine
These show notes contain affiliate links. When you click through and make a purchase, SewHere receives a commission at no cost to you.
We released “What to Get When You Buy a Serger” a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re covering “What to Get When You Buy a Sewing Machine”!
While you might already have a sewing machine at home, you still need to make sure you leave the store with these things! But before you leave home to pick up your machine…
Organize Your Space (just a little!)
If you already have a sewing machine, determine if your accessories are interchangeable with you new machine. If they are, great! If not, make sure you have separate storage for feet and bobbins. You don’t want to get those things mixed up!
And of course, make some space for your new friend! Zede passionately recommends a stable surface to sew on!
Get High Quality Thread
You need good quality thread! Whether you bought a $200 machine or a $200,000 machine- you need run good thread through your machine to ensure your projects look and perform their best, and to ensure that your machine lasts as long as possible. We’ve got a post on why you should stop buying crappy thread here.
If you have been buying crappy thread, change now! Do an arts and crafts project with it or do some hand basting with it. And reap the benefits for years to come!
Construction Thread for Sewing Machines
Our favorite construction thread is Mettler Metrosene Polyester thread, and Russell of SewpBox Productions agrees! WE like the medium or large spools. The small ones are just a bit too small for the volume of sewing we do- it seems like you wind a bobbin and you’re done!
We used to sell a “Zede’s Neutral Pack”- Black, White, Gray and Magic Mauve.
Construction thread needs to coordinate with you project, but it does not have to match exactly. Most of the time, it’s hidden on the inside or your garment. If you are topstitching, you should be using a topstitching thread or a decorative thread most of the time. So, a few colors of this thread in large spools will take you far.
Decorative Thread for Sewing Machines
We piece together quilts with metrosene, but if you want pretty thread for actually quilting your quilt together, there are a number of types and weights of thread to choose from.
Madeira Cotona Thread 50 wt.– This lightweight thread is more along the lines of traditional quilting thread.
Sulky Blendables– Variegated threads in 12wt and 30 wt for a bold, colorful effect.
Topstitch Threads-Heavy threads for doing decorative topstitching on Jeans or bags.
Machine Embroidery Thread-Machine embroidery thread is awesome for hemming fine garments, or doing our jeans hemming technique with the triple straight stitch. Your decorative stitches will stitch out best with this lighter weight, fine thread.
Bobbin Thread/Prewound Bobbins-For lighter weight decorative threads, wind a bobbin with the thread, or use a lighter weight bobbin thread or rewound machine embroidery bobbin (more on that in the embroidery machine episode).
Needles- Build Your Library
Get your needle library started or start filling it out now! You can’t sew without needles. The Schmetz website has great resources on needles, and if your dealer carries Schmetz, ask them for one of these little needle booklets!
We list a lot of needles, but look at their purposes and decide if you need them right away. We used to carry Schmetz and Klassé needles when we had a retail store, and the Klassé variety pack was a great value to get people started on their sewing journey!
Universal Needles-The standard, the default! Best case, get a variety 10 pack of different sizes! These needles will work on most wovens.
Stretch Needles-These are the most commonly used needles for knits nowadays. They are not to be confused with “jersey/ballpoint” needles. Listen to our episode on needles for stretch fabrics if you plan on sewing a lot of knits!
Microtex– These are the miracle needles! They are super sharp and have a non-stick coating. They’re a bit more expensive than Universal needles, but they could be your default if you are willing to spend a few extra dollars. They work on most wovens and help to keep your stitches even on fabrics with a high spandex content.
Jeans/Denim- If you plan on hemming jeans or sewing through heavy layers, denim needles are strong, have a non stick coating and a large eye!
Specialty Needles-There are waaaay more needles than these, so let your dealer know if you plan to do something special or strange or exciting, and they’ll tel you what you need to be successful!
Get Some More Bobbins
Oh my god, do not leave the store with only the bobbins that came with your machine. Get 20. Buy them for your machine. If you get a machine from a dealer, buy the bobbins there. If y
Listen to the full episode here
sewhere.com/podcast/sewing-out-loud/get-buy-sewing-machine
These show notes contain affiliate links. When you click through and make a purchase, SewHere receives a commission at no cost to you.
We released “What to Get When You Buy a Serger” a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re covering “What to Get When You Buy a Sewing Machine”!
While you might already have a sewing machine at home, you still need to make sure you leave the store with these things! But before you leave home to pick up your machine…
Organize Your Space (just a little!)
If you already have a sewing machine, determine if your accessories are interchangeable with you new machine. If they are, great! If not, make sure you have separate storage for feet and bobbins. You don’t want to get those things mixed up!
And of course, make some space for your new friend! Zede passionately recommends a stable surface to sew on!
Get High Quality Thread
You need good quality thread! Whether you bought a $200 machine or a $200,000 machine- you need run good thread through your machine to ensure your projects look and perform their best, and to ensure that your machine lasts as long as possible. We’ve got a post on why you should stop buying crappy thread here.
If you have been buying crappy thread, change now! Do an arts and crafts project with it or do some hand basting with it. And reap the benefits for years to come!
Construction Thread for Sewing Machines
Our favorite construction thread is Mettler Metrosene Polyester thread, and Russell of SewpBox Productions agrees! WE like the medium or large spools. The small ones are just a bit too small for the volume of sewing we do- it seems like you wind a bobbin and you’re done!
We used to sell a “Zede’s Neutral Pack”- Black, White, Gray and Magic Mauve.
Construction thread needs to coordinate with you project, but it does not have to match exactly. Most of the time, it’s hidden on the inside or your garment. If you are topstitching, you should be using a topstitching thread or a decorative thread most of the time. So, a few colors of this thread in large spools will take you far.
Decorative Thread for Sewing Machines
We piece together quilts with metrosene, but if you want pretty thread for actually quilting your quilt together, there are a number of types and weights of thread to choose from.
Madeira Cotona Thread 50 wt.– This lightweight thread is more along the lines of traditional quilting thread.
Sulky Blendables– Variegated threads in 12wt and 30 wt for a bold, colorful effect.
Topstitch Threads-Heavy threads for doing decorative topstitching on Jeans or bags.
Machine Embroidery Thread-Machine embroidery thread is awesome for hemming fine garments, or doing our jeans hemming technique with the triple straight stitch. Your decorative stitches will stitch out best with this lighter weight, fine thread.
Bobbin Thread/Prewound Bobbins-For lighter weight decorative threads, wind a bobbin with the thread, or use a lighter weight bobbin thread or rewound machine embroidery bobbin (more on that in the embroidery machine episode).
Needles- Build Your Library
Get your needle library started or start filling it out now! You can’t sew without needles. The Schmetz website has great resources on needles, and if your dealer carries Schmetz, ask them for one of these little needle booklets!
We list a lot of needles, but look at their purposes and decide if you need them right away. We used to carry Schmetz and Klassé needles when we had a retail store, and the Klassé variety pack was a great value to get people started on their sewing journey!
Universal Needles-The standard, the default! Best case, get a variety 10 pack of different sizes! These needles will work on most wovens.
Stretch Needles-These are the most commonly used needles for knits nowadays. They are not to be confused with “jersey/ballpoint” needles. Listen to our episode on needles for stretch fabrics if you plan on sewing a lot of knits!
Microtex– These are the miracle needles! They are super sharp and have a non-stick coating. They’re a bit more expensive than Universal needles, but they could be your default if you are willing to spend a few extra dollars. They work on most wovens and help to keep your stitches even on fabrics with a high spandex content.
Jeans/Denim- If you plan on hemming jeans or sewing through heavy layers, denim needles are strong, have a non stick coating and a large eye!
Specialty Needles-There are waaaay more needles than these, so let your dealer know if you plan to do something special or strange or exciting, and they’ll tel you what you need to be successful!
Get Some More Bobbins
Oh my god, do not leave the store with only the bobbins that came with your machine. Get 20. Buy them for your machine. If you get a machine from a dealer, buy the bobbins there. If y
