I agree 100% about the scissors. Sewing scissors should be used for cutting fabric only! I grew up with my mother scolding "NOT WITH MY SEWING SCISSORS!" My kids grew up with the same scolding. I love electric scissors for cutting fleece. I have several pair of Fiskars Softouch, and a couple pair of Mundal pinking shears and my favorite of all, a pair of Gingher scissors that I use for clipping threads and the ends of the silk straps on my harnesses.
I would add the following to those things already mentioned.
Several measuring tapes
Straight pins -- plenty of them and don't be shy about tossing dull ones!
Bobbins -- at least one for each color of thread
Bobbin Minders -- allows you to keep bobbins on top of thread spools
Remnants in a variety of good quality fabric to use as "test pieces". Use a remnant that is comparable to the sewing project fabric to test new techniques
Velcro - black, white and beige
A good storage unit that will keep all of your notions neat and handy |