Thanks for the JHittle recommendation. I just bought a box of 100 Universal needles ($24) and 2 spools of Aurifil thread (slightly less than other places, but not by much).
I should be stocked up on needles for a good while now! I've been using quilting needles for quilting, but lots of people say Universal work just fine- and they are cheaper too! So except maybe batiks, I think I should be good to go!