Cozy Stitchery

Complete Shopping List by Hobby & Tier

Beginner, Intermediate and Expert kits for every craft, machines first

Maker
Date
Hobbies
Target total

Buy the core tool for your craft first, because it decides everything else: the machine sets the feet and bobbins, the needle set sets the yarn you can use. Tick what you own, write budgets beside what you need, and total the list at the bottom. Tiers describe what you make, not who you are: you can be an Expert quilter and a Beginner knitter at the same time.

Quilting

TierItemsOwn itNeed itBudget
BeginnerSewing machine with 1/4 in foot, rotary cutter, 18 x 24 in mat, 6 x 24 in ruler, pins, iron
IntermediateQuilting machine with 8 to 10 in throat, walking foot, 24 x 36 in mat, square-up rulers, design wall
ExpertLarge-throat domestic or sit-down longarm, digital fabric cutter, pressing station
Big-ticketFrame longarm, computerized robotics

Quilting picks

Start with the class your scoring on sheet 17 chose.

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Garment sewing and embroidery

TierItemsOwn itNeed itBudget
BeginnerSewing machine with buttonhole, fabric shears, tape measure, seam ripper, pattern weights
IntermediateSerger, adjustable dress form, tailor's ham, needle assortment
ExpertCoverstitch or combo serger, embroidery machine with 5 x 7 in or larger field
Big-ticketCombo sewing and embroidery machine with a large field, air-threading serger

Garment and embroidery picks

A serger usually changes garment results more than a fancier sewing machine does.

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Knitting and crochet

TierItemsOwn itNeed itBudget
BeginnerNeedles or hooks in two or three sizes, stitch markers, tapestry needle, tape measure
IntermediateInterchangeable circular set, ergonomic hook set, swift and ball winder, blocking mats
ExpertComplete interchangeable set, WPI tool and scale, blocking wires, yarn storage
Big-ticketKnitting machine in your yarn gauge, with ribber

Cross stitch and needlepoint

TierItemsOwn itNeed itBudget
BeginnerHoops, tapestry needles, embroidery scissors, floss bobbins and box
IntermediateScroll or snap frame, stretcher bars, magnifier
ExpertFloor stand, daylight magnifier lamp, full floss collection

Yarn and needlework picks

For stitchers, light and a stand are the upgrades that make long projects comfortable.

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Sewing room

TierItemsOwn itNeed itBudget
BeginnerSturdy table, adjustable chair, task lamp
IntermediateCutting table at standing height, pressing station, storage bins
ExpertSewing cabinet with machine lift, design wall, thread racks

Typical totals by tier

These are what the complete setups on cozystitchery.com add up to, every line included, so the number you budget against is the same number the site publishes. They are typical totals, not quoted prices: they move whenever any item in the list moves, and leaving out the optional lines takes a meaningful bite out of each one.

CraftBeginnerIntermediateExpertYour target
QuiltingAbout $1,460About $3,210About $17,030
Garment sewingAbout $1,260About $3,310About $7,260
Machine embroideryAbout $820About $2,180About $7,780
KnittingAbout $280About $640About $1,560
CrochetAbout $235About $545About $1,240
Cross stitchAbout $245About $545About $1,680
Sewing roomAbout $1,055About $2,340About $7,990

The machine is the reason the columns spread so far apart: the Expert quilting total is mostly one longarm, and the Expert sewing room total is mostly one cabinet. Yarn and needlework crafts stay in the hundreds at every tier because there is no machine to buy unless you want one.

Budget tracker

ItemHobbyTierChosen productBudgetActualBought
Main machine
Second machine: serger, embroidery, longarm or knitting
Cabinet or table
Chair
Lighting
Cutting tools
Pressing
Cutting machine
Storage
Feet and accessories
Total

Set the machine budget first, since it is usually the largest line, then fill the rest. Leave room for the feet and accessories the machine you choose does not include.