Hello from Oregon!
A few helpful items: rotery cutter and cutting mat. Seam ripper - my best friend, good little embrodery sissors to nip your thread if you are hand sewing (remember about airline rules if you travel that way). Before i bought my 1/4 inch foot for my machine I used the painters tape (or the stack of post-its) to mark the 1/4 inch sewing guide line. The hard part is deciding on the pattern and fabric. I have a hole list of "I wnat to make one like that". Keep us posted !