Update 5/29/2026: Superior's masterpiece bobbin sets have been discontinued, and the Bright Bobbin Set has totally sold out everywhere -it's in the photos, but is not included in these notions sets. New photos are coming soon. We have the Soft Bobbin Set for now, and when it's gone, it's really gone.

When your hands are your sewing machine, you need good tools to keep your hands happy and to get sewing jobs done. Here are the appliqué notions I use all the time and that you see me use in classes and videos.

Three options let you prioritize what you need the most. See what's in each set below.

Each set comes with a free - already printed on printer paper - Texas Tulips pattern, a lovely (and easy!) appliqué pattern to begin with.

Not in any set, Thread Tamer is my favorite thread conditioner, and really does make the thread glide easily. It is sadly discontinued. Thread Magic is another good thread conditioner that I still carry and will continue to.

Starter Set - everything you really need:

• The Travel Sandboard is used to hold fabric in place as you trace. Later, place your background on the sandboard to hold it flat as you position and pin appliqué pieces to the block.
• General's White Charcoal Pencil Set: 2 pencils with a sharpener.
• Kai 5-1/2" Embroidery Scissors work great for paper and fabric. I use mine more for paper. You could grab an extra to have one for each, because they will dull faster using them on paper, which will eventually effect how they work on your fabric.
• Clover Gold Eye #12 Needles, we've used this needle in appliqué class for 30 years. It works, and it's economical.
• The appliqué 3/4" Pins by Clover are easy to pick up and are great for small appliqué work.
• 1 very fine tipped Sharpie for drawing the vinyl overlay.
• 1 pkg of Clear Vinyl for that overlay.
• 5 Laminating Sheets for creating your appliqué templates.
• The Soft Bobbin Set has 25 bobbins filled with  2-ply, 100% cotton, 50 weight Masterpiece thread from Superior. This is the thread I use in my own applique. (Both bobbin sets have been discontinued, but the Bright Bobbin Set has totally sold out everywhere, it's in these photos, but is not included in these notions sets. New photos are coming soon.)
  
• 1 spool of Efina, 100% cotton, 60 weight, newer to me and a lovely thread.

Complete Set - better tools mean less frustration and more time sewing:

• The Best Sandboard - I use my sandboard for appliqué and all kinds of hand sewing. This is a little bigger size, and I prefer it.
• Our Classic Pencil Set includes 1 white charcoal pencil, 1 firm graphite pencil, and one Long-Point Two Step Sharpener.
• Kai 5-1/2" Embroidery Scissors work great for paper and fabric. I use mine more for paper. You could grab an extra to have one for each, because they will dull faster using them on paper, which will eventually effect how they work on your fabric.
• Small Perfect Scissors by Karen Kay Buckley for cutting bitty tiny shapes in fabric.
• The #11 Applique Needle by Tulip is fine and a little bit flexible. It is my go-to needle. That said, you may want a longer, or thicker, or bigger needle and that's okay too. Send us a comment in your order, and we can switch this to the #10 (Big Eye) Applique Needles. Click here to find more needles.
• The point of the #12 Black Gold Needle is sharp and glides with amazing smoothness through the fabric.
  
• The Easy Needle Threader by Bohin is a must-have, even if you can (mostly) thread your needles, because it speeds up the process. Who wants to spend extra time and frustration when there is a dandy solution to the problem!
• The Shorter Perfect Pins by Karen Kay Buckly are extremely fine and flexible.
• Appliqué Pins by Little House are fine with a small glass head. They are a little bit flexible but not bendy which helps them to lay flat against your applique.
• The Leather Adhesive Thimble Pads have a strong adhesive, and each pad is reusable several times. It is thick enough to protect your finger but is somewhat flexible.
• 1 Sharpie, Clear Vinyl, and 5 Laminating Sheets for overlays and templates.
• 6 Efina spools, 100% cotton, 60 weight, newer to me and a lovely thread.
• The Soft Bobbin Set has 25 bobbins filled with  2-ply, 100% cotton, 50 weight Masterpiece thread from Superior. This is the thread I use in my own applique. (Both bobbin sets have been discontinued, but the Bright Bobbin Set has totally sold out everywhere, it's in these photos, but is not included in these notions sets. New photos are coming soon.)

Ultimate Set - have everything wonderful at your fingertips right now:

• Everything listed in the Complete Set +
• Kai Professional 6" Scissors are my most used, favorite scissors.
• Kai Professional 4" Scissors are my favorite small scissors.
• Another 14 Efina spools (plus the 6 for a total of 20 spools - ALL the colors), 100% cotton, 60 weight, newer to me and a lovely 2-ply thread.
  

It is amazing what good instruction and the right tools can do. You will find my techniques in books, free on YouTube, or take one of my classes on Creative Spark.