I Got A Sewing Machine for Xmas... What Now?

[candycanechild]

For Christmas, I got a sewing machine! It's a Necchi 3577 and it's a great machine. I don't need help usingit or anything... the place my mom bought it said they'd show me all the features if I call ahead and stop by their store. When I opened my stocking, I found a $25.00 gift card to Jo-Ann Fabrics. I don't plan on spending ALL that cash on fabric (though I admit that may happen...  ). I want to leave the store with all the basic things I need. Here's what I plan to get:
Fabric
Thread
Pins

But what else? If any savvy sewers could tell me some tools I need to start sewing, that would be great. Thanks!

[ragadyanne400]

I got a sewing machine for christmas too !!!

I have a bunch of vintage sewing books and these are a few of the staples they suggest:

a good pair of bent handled scissors
pinking shears
embroidery scissors
six or eight inch ruler
tape measure
a seam guide
seam ripper
some extra bobbins
a good iron and ironing surface

I know that the first thing I would buy would be a good pair of scissors.

[GloryB]

Check out the starter kits.  It contains most of your basic sewing tools.

[stickychick]

Extra bobbins and lots of different colored thread.
My neice just got a machine for Christmas and her present from me was:

extra bobbins
thread
hand needles
measuring tape
pins
good scissors
and an organizer box to keep it all in.

[WildHoney]

Obviously your Joanns certificate won't cover this, but the one thing I think is so important is an iron. Ironing while you sew makes the difference between something looking homemade or not. I have a pair of pinking shears, but never use them. Unfortunately a seam ripper is a must have