Embroidery machine accessories and supplies: a starter checklist

A typical home embroidery machine, such as Brother's PE900 or SE2000, ships with a hoop, a few bobbins, a needle set, basic tools and some bobbin thread. You still need to buy stabilizer, 40 wt embroidery thread, spare needles, small scissors and temporary spray adhesive, plus a way to load designs. Extra hoops, magnetic hoops, thread racks and digitizing software can wait until you know what you stitch.

A starter kit for an embroidery machine is shorter than most shopping lists suggest. You need stabilizer, 40 wt embroidery thread, bobbin thread, embroidery needles, small scissors and temporary spray adhesive, plus a way to get designs onto the machine. The box usually covers the rest: a hoop, a few bobbins, a needle set and basic tools. Magnetic hoops, thread racks and digitizing software can wait until you know what you like to stitch.

Most examples below come from Brother, because it publishes full carton lists and manuals. This site is not affiliated with Brother, Baby Lock, Janome, Singer, OESD or any other maker or seller named.

What comes in the box

Brother’s US pages for the PE900, SE2000, PE800 and PE535 list almost the same embroidery items.

A hoop. The PE800, PE900 and SE2000 pages list a 5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm) hoop, which is also each machine’s largest stitch area. The PE535 stitches up to 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm).
Bobbins and bobbin thread. Four bobbins, one already on the machine, plus white embroidery bobbin thread.
Needles. The PE800 and PE535 pages list three 75/11 needles and one 90/14.
Tools. Scissors, a seam ripper, a cleaning brush and three screwdrivers.
Spool parts. Spool caps in several sizes and a spool net.
Extras. An accessory bag, a dust cover and printed manuals.

Not on those lists: top thread, stabilizer, a USB cable and design software. The PE900 and SE2000 pages mention PE-Design 11 and the Artspira app but do not say either one comes with the machine.

Lists differ by model, so read the carton contents for the exact machine and seller you buy from. Even the bobbin thread varies. The PE800 manual lists a 90 weight bobbin thread, while the SE2000 page lists 60 weight, so check your manual before buying more.

The starter checklist

Supply	Start with	Notes
Stabilizer	Medium cut-away, medium tear-away, water-soluble topping	Needed under every project
Top thread	40 wt polyester in a few basic colors	Most designs are digitized for 40 wt
Bobbin thread	Finer thread, often 60 wt polyester, or pre-wound bobbins	Match your manual’s weight and bobbin size
Needles	75/11 embroidery needles, a few 90/14	Change them often
Scissors	Small, sharp embroidery scissors	Curved appliqué scissors only if you appliqué
Adhesive	Temporary fabric spray adhesive	Use lightly
Marking tools	Water-soluble pen, chalk wheel	For placement lines
Hoops	The one in the box	Extra sizes and magnetic hoops later
Designs	Built-in designs, free or purchased files	Digitizing software later

Stabilizer

Stabilizer is the one supply you cannot skip. Sewing Machine Fun says every project needs it. Brother’s PE800 manual says to always use it on stretch, lightweight or coarse-weave fabric, or the needle may break and the finish suffers.

Start with three kinds:

Medium-weight cut-away for knits such as t-shirts, and for dense designs.
Medium-weight tear-away for stable woven fabric and lighter designs.
Water-soluble topping for towels, fleece and other textured fabric. Brother’s manual recommends water-soluble stabilizer on napped cloth such as terry cloth and corduroy, and on thin cloth such as organdy and lawn.

Stabilizers run from about 1.5 to 3.0 oz per square yard (roughly 50–100 g/m²), and mediumweight is the usual starting point. Cut each piece larger than the hoop so the hoop can grip it. Keep wash-away in an airtight container, because Nancy Zieman notes it turns brittle in dry air and can dissolve in humid air. Our stabilizer guide matches each type to fabrics.

Thread

Use embroidery thread, not sewing thread. Start with 40 wt polyester on top. Sewing Machine Fun says most designs are digitized for 40 wt, and that polyester is strong, colorfast and handles bleach. Brother’s manual also says to use thread intended for your machine, because other threads may not stitch out well.

You do not need a huge set. Begin with black, white and the few colors you use, and add more as projects call for them. Brother lists a 63-spool set of 40 wt polyester on 1,100 yd (about 1,000 m) spools, which shows the far end of the range. Our embroidery thread guide compares polyester, rayon, cotton and metallic.

Bobbins

Most guides suggest a finer bobbin thread than the top thread. Sewing Machine Fun uses 100% polyester 60 wt, and Rocky Mountain Sewing says to use the bobbin type your manual approves. Brother sells pre-wound white 60 wt polyester bobbins, size 11.5, with 105 yd (about 96 m) each in a 10-pack. Its compatibility list includes the PE800, PE900, SE1900 and SE2000. Bobbin size varies by machine, so check yours first.

Two habits save trouble. Keep several bobbins ready before a big job, because Brother’s manual says you must rewind mid-design if the bobbin runs out. And use only a correctly wound bobbin. Brother warns that a badly wound one can break the needle or throw off the tension.

Needles

A 75/11 embroidery needle is the standard. Brother’s manual says to use 75/11 for embroidery, and OESD calls it the most common size. Keep a few 90/14 needles for thick fabric such as denim or heavy sweatshirt fleece.

Sharp points suit tightly woven fabric, and ballpoints suit knits. OESD says to change a standard needle about every 5 hours of stitching and a titanium-coated one about every 25 hours. Thread that breaks or shreds is a sign the needle is worn. Our needle guide covers sizes and types.

Scissors and small tools

The scissors in the box will do to begin with. Many embroiderers add a small, sharp pair for trimming jump stitches and stabilizer. Curved appliqué scissors are worth buying only if you plan to appliqué.

Add a marking tool for placement lines. Sewing Machine Fun suggests water-soluble pens for light fabric and chalk wheels for dark or delicate fabric, plus clips or tape to keep loose fabric out of the stitching path.

Spray adhesive

Temporary fabric spray holds stabilizer to fabric while you hoop, and holds an item you float on top of hooped stabilizer. Spray the stabilizer rather than the garment, use a light coat, and follow the can’s directions. Sewing Machine Fun warns it may not suit delicate fabrics.

OESD adds that adhesives and specialty stabilizers can dull needles faster, so check your needle sooner when you use them. Fusible stabilizer is the alternative. Brother says to iron it to the wrong side of the fabric, and not to fuse fabrics that cannot be ironed, such as terry cloth.

Hoops

The hoop in the box is your first hoop. Extra sizes are optional. Brother’s PE800 manual lists a 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) hoop, a small hoop of about 1 × 2.5 in (20 × 60 mm) and a 12 × 5 in (300 × 130 mm) multi-position frame as separate accessories. A hoop never gives you a bigger stitch area than the machine already has. Our hoop sizes overview explains the standard sizes.

Magnetic hoops

A magnetic hoop clamps fabric with magnets instead of an inner ring. Sewing Machine Fun lists thick items, such as towels and puffer jackets, and delicate fabric that shows hoop marks as the reasons to buy one. Stretchy fabric with dense designs can shift, and magnets can pinch fingers.

Fit matters more than size. Brother’s 4 × 7 in (100 × 180 mm) magnetic frame is listed for the PE800, PE900, SE1900, SE2000, NS1250E and NS2850D series, and for fabric up to 2 mm (about 0.08 in) thick. Our magnetic hoops guide covers safety and compatibility.

Storage

Store thread in a cool, dry place. Rocky Mountain Sewing says that keeps it from becoming brittle over time. Sewing Machine Fun suggests keeping spools in color order on a thread stand or wall rack. Keep needles in their case, and use the dust cover that comes in the box. A hanging pocket organizer or labeled wraps work for stabilizer, as Nancy Zieman describes.

Design software and file transfer

Your machine reads one or more stitch formats, such as .pes, .jef or .dst, so check yours before buying designs. Built-in designs are limited, which is why people add free or purchased files. Most machines load them from a USB flash drive, and some also take them wirelessly.

Brother’s Artspira app has a free version and a paid Artspira+ subscription. The free version includes 700+ licensed designs and lets you import up to 20 of your own. Brother’s PE-Design 11 is digitizing software with more than 1,000 built-in designs, and Brother offers a free trial.

Sewing Machine Fun separates editing software, which resizes, splits and recolors existing designs, from digitizing software, which creates new ones, and advises beginners to wait on digitizing. Our embroidery software guide compares the options.

If you are still choosing a machine, check what each model includes before you compare prices. The box contents above can save you several purchases.

Frequently asked questions

What accessories do I need for an embroidery machine?

At minimum, stabilizer, 40 wt embroidery thread, bobbin thread, embroidery needles (75/11 to start), small scissors and temporary spray adhesive. A hoop, bobbins and basic tools usually come in the box.

What comes with a Brother embroidery machine?

Brother's pages for the PE800, PE900 and SE2000 list a 5 × 7 in (130 × 180 mm) hoop, four bobbins (one on the machine), a needle set, scissors, a seam ripper, a cleaning brush, screwdrivers, spool caps, a spool net, white embroidery bobbin thread, a dust cover and manuals. Top thread, stabilizer and a USB cable are not listed.

Can I use regular sewing thread in an embroidery machine?

It is not recommended. Sewing Machine Fun says to use robust embroidery thread rather than sewing thread, and Brother's manual says other threads may not stitch out well. Start with 40 wt polyester embroidery thread on top.

Do I need a magnetic hoop to start?

No. Use the hoop in the box first. A magnetic hoop is a later upgrade for thick items such as towels and jackets, it must be made for your machine, and the strong magnets can pinch fingers.

Do I need design software to use an embroidery machine?

Not at first. Machines have built-in designs, and you can add free or purchased designs in your machine's file format. Brother's Artspira app has a free version for sending designs to compatible machines, and digitizing software can wait.