What are MUST HAVE items for a new sewer?
 

My daughter is a college student.
She's graduating this year, and has shown to have an interest in learning to sew.
I'm THRILLED.
'Til now, there has been no interest.

For Christmas, I have already picked her up a sewing table that will be for her to always keep (it is identical to mine),
and I'm going to let her use one of my sewing machines.
It's about 15 yrs. old (Singer), but gently used.
Once she gets better, I'll let her use this new-to-me old Kenmore that I found (that is like new).
Who knows ... maybe in time she'll develop a love for the hobby (uh hem, addiction ... LOL) & we can get her a new machine for her very own.

My mother in law is going to buy her a pair of good scissors.
I'm not a big fan of "sewing boxes," so I think I'll just go with a rubbermaid type of container.
She can use my cutting mat, but I will buy her a small portable one of her own & a rotary cutter.

I'll put a JoAnn's gift card in her stocking.
But what else can I get her?

Sounds like a good start. What do you find yourself using and enjoying? Is she going to quilt and sew clothes or crafts? What about a basic book or two? Some classes? Rulers? Sounds like a fun adventure

Take her shopping for what she wants and make a day of it. Stuff is good, time spent having fun together is better.
Rodney

I like Rodney's idea. While you shop together that she may think of questions she has and you can teach as you shop. Like the differences in fabric and thread. You could still put the JoAnn's card in her stocking then maybe shop during some after Christmas sales. A good light like an OttLight.

My recommendation for a gift is the 6 in by 24 inch ruler along with a pair of embroidery scissors. They are necessary for hand sewing and I use mine all the time at the machine to trim threads.

My most used rulers are the 6 x 24 and the 6.5 x 12. And after that I use the June Taylor thing for cutting strips. Can't think of the name. But if she is going to be a quilter, she will be cutting a lot of strips.

She'll need a seam ripper, extra needles for her machine, pin cushion and pins, a walking foot, and an embroidery foot/free-motion foot.

Another thing she might emjoy is a list of your personal favorite web sites for buying fabrics and notions. As a college student, she is probably very used to surfing the web and browsing in her down time! It will also give y'all something to talk about and she WILL become addicted (just like Mom) in her own good time!

I would be lost without my embroidery scissors, seam ripper, regular hand sewing needles and a little plastic organizer box for all my machine feet.

Ruler (6x24), pins (straight and safety), basic thread colors, marking chalk, and a good basic book on technique

My favorite stocking stuffers from my DH, no less, were a quality stitch ripper and an awl.