Sewing Accessories

The basics for any sewing setup include:

• Bobbins: Match your machine's bobbin class (Class 15, Class L, or Class M).
• Needles: Keep a variety of sewing machine needles on hand for different fabrics.
• Rotary cutter and mat: Faster and more accurate than scissors for cutting fabric.
• Pins or clips: Hold fabric in place while sewing.
• Seam ripper: For fixing mistakes quickly.

Sewing machines use specific bobbin sizes. The three most common are Class 15 (used by most Brother, Singer, and Janome machines), Class L (used by many Baby Lock and Bernina models), and Class M (used by longarm and some industrial machines). Check your machine's manual or call us at (800) 687-5175 if you're unsure.

A rotary cutter rolls a circular blade along a ruler, cutting straight lines through multiple layers of fabric at once. Fabric scissors cut one or two layers at a time and work better for curved cuts and detail work. Most quilters and sewists keep both on hand. Rotary cutters require a self-healing cutting mat to protect your work surface.

An extension table adds a flat work surface around your machine, which keeps fabric level and prevents drag on larger projects. They're especially helpful for quilting, garment sewing, and any project where fabric weight could pull your stitches off course. Most extension tables are custom-fit to specific machine models.

Needle choice depends on your fabric. General guidelines:

• Universal (size 80/12): Works for most woven cottons and blends.
• Ballpoint/Jersey: For knits and stretch fabrics. The rounded tip slides between fibers instead of piercing them.
• Denim/Jeans (size 90/14-100/16): For heavy fabrics like denim, canvas, and leather.
• Embroidery: Has a larger eye and special scarf to reduce thread shredding at high speeds.

Replace your needle every 8-10 hours of sewing. A dull needle causes skipped stitches, puckering, and thread breaks.