Disboutiquers Part 27 Kids Disney Boutique / Customs Clothes psst..we sew ;-)

[babynala]

Ok, I must go and pack. We are leaving for Disneyland in less than 24 hours. We will be meeting up with Lisa and Megan tomorrow evening. It will be the first time I get to meet a Disboutiquer in real life!

I have some catching up to do on the thread but wanted to tell you to have a great trip !!!

 

[billwendy]

Flora - have a GREAT time in Disney Land!! Ride Calafornia Screamin for me and watch World of Color!!!!!

I've been trying to do some stitching for a friend, and my wheel feels kind of bound up in my PE770 - anyone have any ideas? I cant figure out how to get into that part of the machine?????

Got a new puppy this weekend - his name is Tigger! He will never replace my Zoey, but will earn a place of his own. He came from a rescue shelter in NJ and is 4 months old! He and Billy have the same Birthday!!!!

We are 50/50 on the potty training - any tips

 

[tinkbell13]

Speaking of paper route, I had a weekly flyer delivery route early on in college. It was right in the area where I lived so I actually didn't have to drive. They dropped off the flyers and I went out for "a walk" in the afternoon to deliver them. It was a good way to make some money as a student. Thankfully I got better paid part time jobs (and indoors) since my second year in college, so it was a short lived experience for me.

Ok, I must go and pack. We are leaving for Disneyland in less than 24 hours. We will be meeting up with Lisa and Megan tomorrow evening. It will be the first time I get to meet a Disboutiquer in real life!

Paper routes, oh the memories! I had one when I was 11 or so. It was a weekly paper and I had about 100 papers to deliver. I remember my dad found an old bike with a banana seat and he made a big rack/basket for the front for my paper bag. It wasn't fun in winter when I had to walk the route and carry the papers though. I think I passed that route and bike on to my brother when I got my first "real" part time job at a gas station.

Have a great time at Disneyland! I would love to go there at some point.

Got a new puppy this weekend - his name is Tigger! He will never replace my Zoey, but will earn a place of his own. He came from a rescue shelter in NJ and is 4 months old! He and Billy have the same Birthday!!!!

We are 50/50 on the potty training - any tips

Congrats on the new puppy! Love the name too. It been a couple of years since we went through potty training, but I remember taking our pup outside about 5-10 minutes after she would eat or drink anything and we would stay there until she went. I was unemployed at the time so I had the time to do that. Anytime we went out, we took her out before we left, she was crated while we were gone and took her back out as soon as we got back. We lucked out and she potty trained really quickly.

 

[DMGeurts]

Ok, I must go and pack. We are leaving for Disneyland in less than 24 hours. We will be meeting up with Lisa and Megan tomorrow evening. It will be the first time I get to meet a Disboutiquer in real life!

Have fun at DL - and say hi to Lisa and Megan! How awesome that you get to meet them!

Flora - have a GREAT time in Disney Land!! Ride Calafornia Screamin for me and watch World of Color!!!!!

I've been trying to do some stitching for a friend, and my wheel feels kind of bound up in my PE770 - anyone have any ideas? I cant figure out how to get into that part of the machine?????

Got a new puppy this weekend - his name is Tigger! He will never replace my Zoey, but will earn a place of his own. He came from a rescue shelter in NJ and is 4 months old! He and Billy have the same Birthday!!!!

We are 50/50 on the potty training - any tips

Congratulations on the new puppy... I am so happy that you were able to find one that fit your family. No clue about potty training - since our Rufus was already potty trained when we adopted him.

D~

 

[dianemom2]

Flora- Have a great time at Disneyland. How fun to get to meet up with Disfriends!

Wendy- Congratulations on Tigger! A new puppy is so fun but lots of work too. Our little girl was hard to housebreak. I've read that smaller dogs tend to be harder to housebreak. Anyhow, we set a timer and took her outside every hour. Our vet said to reward her with a tiny bite of American cheese when she went potty outside. We also crated her when we left the house. I had always thought crates were mean but our little girl LOVES her crate. She chooses to sleep in it every night. We also trained her to go on a verbal command. I think our dog has ADHD because when we'd take her out to go potty, she'd get so distracted playing and sniffing that she'd forget to go. So we trained her to go when she is told to, "Go potty!" However I wish we'd trained her to a different command like, "Do your business." Because I hate standing out on the deck and yelling out into the yard, "Go potty!" I am sure the neighbors are all laughing at me.

 

[VBAndrea]

I've been trying to do some stitching for a friend, and my wheel feels kind of bound up in my PE770 - anyone have any ideas? I cant figure out how to get into that part of the machine?????

Got a new puppy this weekend - his name is Tigger! He will never replace my Zoey, but will earn a place of his own. He came from a rescue shelter in NJ and is 4 months old! He and Billy have the same Birthday!!!!

We are 50/50 on the potty training - any tips

Oh! Congratulations!!!! I know TIgger (nor anyone) could ever replace Zoey, but I think a new puppy will keep your mind less focused on your loss and provide you a good distraction. Where are pictures???? What kind of puppy is it? I'm assuming a mix and you may not know everything, but sometimes vets can give you a good idea.

Potty training: My number one recommendation is buy a steam cleaner.

My dogs did not fully train until 23 months old. Yes, you heard me correctly. Shih Tzus, however, are one of the dumbest dogs there is. Let's hope your dog has some poodle or Bichon in it to make life easier. My best success started when I carried treats outside with me and gave them the instant the dog pottied. We had a pen with a crate. I could not lock the dogs on the crate unless I wanted to listen to them cry ALL night. They loved the pen though, but I found it harder to rid them of the pen because they then felt peeing anywhere in the house was OK. But I had to pen them because they ruined some furniture -- loved chewing baseboards, chewed the cabinets on the kitchen island, a shelf and two of our kitchen chairs. Even one DR chair is chewed but thankfully dh hasn't noticed that as our set is from Denmark -- and of course they chewed one of the two arm chairs, not one of the extra chairs which I could swap with one of the extras in the attic. Anywhoo, I failed miserably at potty training. My dogs still have an *accident* about once per month.

I have no idea on your machine. You may have to take it in to get in service. I have been thankful that mine has behaved really nicely for me. Except I must get some new bobbin thread because I can't finish my BG until I do and I wanted to finish it today. May not get done until tomorrow or Wed now... I was using some old Sulky embroidery thread for bobbin thread since I ran out and the store was likewise out of the Brother, but now I'm out of the sulky.

 

[hey_jude]

We have 3 Fabriclands here and none of them had any Disney fabric when I looked a couple of weeks ago. They looked sideways at me when I asked about if they ever got any in! I think we are going to the US last weekend of February and I might just have to check out a couple of fabric stores while we are there.

The Fabricland in Hyde Park had some Winnie the Pooh fabric in mid-February. The other place in London that often has a variety of Disney fabric is Lens Mill on Exeter Road (just past Wonderland).

Judy

 

[cogero]

Flora Have a wonderful time in Disney World.

Wendy I saw a picture on FB of Tigger what a cutie.

I made a pair of Easy Fits with shorts yesterday. I love how they look. Thanks for whoever posted the picture. Once I get a shirt done I will post.

 

[SallyfromDE]

Flora - have a GREAT time in Disney Land!! Ride Calafornia Screamin for me and watch World of Color!!!!!

I've been trying to do some stitching for a friend, and my wheel feels kind of bound up in my PE770 - anyone have any ideas? I cant figure out how to get into that part of the machine?????

Got a new puppy this weekend - his name is Tigger! He will never replace my Zoey, but will earn a place of his own. He came from a rescue shelter in NJ and is 4 months old! He and Billy have the same Birthday!!!!

We are 50/50 on the potty training - any tips

Wendy, if the wheel feels bound, it could still be from down in the bobbin caseing. I'm sure you've had that all apart, but looking for some loose threads. Or look at the bobbin case itself. Is there a burr on the tip?

Congrats on the new puppy. I really want a new dog. I haven't had one in years, so I've no clue on the training. I want a pocketbook dog, I can carry around. At first I wanted one of those grass mats I could train her on, since I'd be at work all day. But now I'm laid off, so who knows. I have to wait until this house sells anyway.

But I keep thinking of names. Stitch and Swatch are my favorites, but I want a girl, and they sound too boyish to me.

 

[mandi224]

I need some help. I want to make a Rapunzel dress for my dd2. Has anyone done this? Does anyone have any suggestions for a pattern? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I am not sure if you have had many replies to needing a pattern for a Rapunzel dress. I found a free pattern online and made it for my daughter for Halloween.

I used this pattern.
http://www.fleetingthing.com/handmade/dress-up/Tangled-Rapunzel-costume-tutorial/&2_2_95

 

[smile5sunshine]

Okay, I hope it's okay to post a link to a website that I found where you can buy cheap thread (including serger cones) and other sewing supplies too (I saw they had zippers that seemed reasonably priced).

I found this site because last year I had ordered some Guttermann thread in a co-op and I'm starting to run out but I don't want to pay the big bucks for it at Joann's. My machine ONLY likes Guttermann, and I know several of you have said the same (I'm looking at YOU Mr. Rocketpants! )

Anyway, I checked with the girl who ran the co-op and she gave me the site she ordered through. I was very surprised that their prices are great even without putting in a major wholesale order!

If you follow the link you can buy COLORED Guttermann thread in 1,076 yd. spools for $2.49! And shipping is a flat rate $4.99. If you buy the same yardage at Joann's you can only get black or white and it costs over $8! The only difference between these two is these do NOT have those fancy thread locking spools, but the thread is wound onto a simple plastic tube.


Wawak Sewing Supplies

Okay, I hope that helps someone else.

Sunshine

 

[billwendy]

Thanks everyone!

I found Tigger online at a rescue in New Jersey. They had him listed as a girl! But, then when they called to tell us we were approved, they mentioned - oh by the way its a boy! So at first I was really bummed. But everyone kept convincing me that since we were getting him so young, we'd be able to get him fixed before he got any ideas! But, I did see another doggie I liked, Izzy (beautiful puppy) and we would check her out. When we got to the adoption event, all the puppies were there. They told us Izzy was only going to get to 10lbs - and that was just a little too small for us. They handed me Tigger and he just nuzzled right into my neck!! Who can resist that!!!!!!! We even looked at his brother, but he was more dominant and not as snuggly. So....after lots of prayerful thinking, we adopted Tigger.

 

[NiniMorris]

I had no idea you were meeting with Lisa! She seems like a sweetie. Have a wonderful time

Have fun with Lisa! I know she was meeting up with Kris (mom of one of our Wish kids) over the weekend. So Jealous!



Wendy (sorry, didn't grab your post) We have a German Shepherd pup who just turned 5 months old...I can safely say he is 99% potty trained (or housebroken for those who don't have small kids!) We crated when we were gone or asleep and took him out after eating, playing, sleeping, breathing...pretty much every 15 minutes!

I always gave him a dog treat if he went out , did his business and came back in quickly. (we have a fenced in yard) He still goes and sits by the treat box whenever I let him in... When he was younger, we had lots and lots of midnight trips outside! I am so glad those are over! I think I was more excited about him sleeping through the night than I was any of the kids!




-----


Side not about the puppy...he looks full grown. He is going to be huge! Both of his parents weighed in at over 100 pounds without an ounce of fat! He has just started developing his big boy bark. It really came in handy a few days ago.

A civilian process server came to serve papers on someone that doesn't live in my house. He wouldn't take no for an answer and tried to push his way in the house. I slammed the door, locked the deadbolt, and brought my 'puppy' to the door. The process server threw the papers in my yard and ran to his car!
'Nuff said!


Nini

 

[VBAndrea]

I made a pair of Easy Fits with shorts yesterday. I love how they look. Thanks for whoever posted the picture. Once I get a shirt done I will post.

I think you meant with pockets -- but I got what you were saying. I made two pairs with embroidery on the pockets (4x4 appliques) but ended up doing them similar to the first ones Diane did. I made them with flap closings and they turned out so cute. They are BG so can't post pics yet. Will do the shirts by Wed so will put pics up on the BG board. They sure took a lot longer than regular Easy Fits, but part of that was the appliqueing and cutting and extra sewing as I double stitched them to make them look cuter. I can't wait to see yours.

I am not sure if you have had many replies to needing a pattern for a Rapunzel dress. I found a free pattern online and made it for my daughter for Halloween.

I used this pattern.
http://www.fleetingthing.com/handmade/dress-up/Tangled-Rapunzel-costume-tutorial/&2_2_95

What a beautiful Rapunzel -- her hair is perfect! I wonder if I can talk dd int o being Rapunzel next year. She has long hair though it's not blonde. Your dd is just stunning with her hair and dress

Okay, I hope it's okay to post a link to a website that I found where you can buy cheap thread (including serger cones) and other sewing supplies too (I saw they had zippers that seemed reasonably priced).

I found this site because last year I had ordered some Guttermann thread in a co-op and I'm starting to run out but I don't want to pay the big bucks for it at Joann's. My machine ONLY likes Guttermann, and I know several of you have said the same (I'm looking at YOU Mr. Rocketpants! )

Anyway, I checked with the girl who ran the co-op and she gave me the site she ordered through. I was very surprised that their prices are great even without putting in a major wholesale order!

If you follow the link you can buy COLORED Guttermann thread in 1,076 yd. spools for $2.49! And shipping is a flat rate $4.99. If you buy the same yardage at Joann's you can only get black or white and it costs over $8! The only difference between these two is these do NOT have those fancy thread locking spools, but the thread is wound onto a simple plastic tube.


Wawak Sewing Supplies

Okay, I hope that helps someone else.

Sunshine

My machine HATES Gutterman but I noticed they have the serger thread I use at half the price. I wish they had pics! They don't even have pics of their buttons. I'll bookmark the site for future reference. Thanks for sharing it.

Thanks everyone!

I found Tigger online at a rescue in New Jersey. They had him listed as a girl! But, then when they called to tell us we were approved, they mentioned - oh by the way its a boy! So at first I was really bummed. But everyone kept convincing me that since we were getting him so young, we'd be able to get him fixed before he got any ideas! But, I did see another doggie I liked, Izzy (beautiful puppy) and we would check her out. When we got to the adoption event, all the puppies were there. They told us Izzy was only going to get to 10lbs - and that was just a little too small for us. They handed me Tigger and he just nuzzled right into my neck!! Who can resist that!!!!!!! We even looked at his brother, but he was more dominant and not as snuggly. So....after lots of prayerful thinking, we adopted Tigger.

OK missus I need a better picture! His face doesn't even show in that one! He looks big already! How big will he get? I have to say I prefer my girl to my boy; however my boy is my lap dog (sitting on it right now). I think I spend so much time on the computer b/c he is always sitting on my lap keeping me warm. Penny has a nicer disposition, but Sunny is by no means aggressive. The only thing I don't like is he sometimes humps his sister. And when you get Tigger neutered check with the vet that both testicles are descended. Sunny only had one descended and the vet said he couldn't guarantee sterility b/c he had a hard time with the non-distended one. So at his one year check up I am telling the vet how hard the dogs are to potty train. Sunny daily lifted his leg on a plant in the foyer. Turns out his second testicle was finally descended and whatever the vet removed wasn't it. So in for a second surgery he went.

Wendy (sorry, didn't grab your post) We have a German Shepherd pup who just turned 5 months old...I can safely say he is 99% potty trained (or housebroken for those who don't have small kids!) We crated when we were gone or asleep and took him out after eating, playing, sleeping, breathing...pretty much every 15 minutes!

I always gave him a dog treat if he went out , did his business and came back in quickly. (we have a fenced in yard) He still goes and sits by the treat box whenever I let him in... When he was younger, we had lots and lots of midnight trips outside! I am so glad those are over! I think I was more excited about him sleeping through the night than I was any of the kids!




-----


Side not about the puppy...he looks full grown. He is going to be huge! Both of his parents weighed in at over 100 pounds without an ounce of fat! He has just started developing his big boy bark. It really came in handy a few days ago.

A civilian process server came to serve papers on someone that doesn't live in my house. He wouldn't take no for an answer and tried to push his way in the house. I slammed the door, locked the deadbolt, and brought my 'puppy' to the door. The process server threw the papers in my yard and ran to his car!
'Nuff said!


Nini

LOL that you got served someone else's papers. I had a patient who delivered court orders and she said you ring the bell and hope no one answers and leave the papers.

German Shepards are smart dogs so that's why training may have been easier for you. My dogs have pea brains -- or should I say "pee" brains.

 

[graceesmom]

I am just in awe at all of the amazing things I've seen on this thread. This is a group of very talented Disers.

So I'm ready to bite the bullet on the embroidery machine. My local store sells the Bernina Deco 340 for $1295. I can get the PE770 for $640 including shipping. At that price difference, I don't think I can justify the Bernina.

So can you guys help me with what all I need to order with the PE770.

1) I know I need thread. Is there a particular brand that works best with PE770?
2) Stabilizer -- what kind do you guys recommend
3) Should I get additional software? I hear Monogram It is a useful piece of software to get. What do you guys think? Anything else?
4) Needles -- how many?

Anything else I should get while I'm ordering.

 

[CindyBeth]

I made Simplicity 2065 which is the Disney Rapunzel pattern. It made up really cute! (BTW - Simplicity is 5 for $5 at J's today.) Here is the finished version:

That's exactly what I was looking for. Love the dress!!! It turned out so cute!

 

[dianemom2]

I think you meant with pockets -- but I got what you were saying. I made two pairs with embroidery on the pockets (4x4 appliques) but ended up doing them similar to the first ones Diane did. I made them with flap closings and they turned out so cute. They are BG so can't post pics yet. Will do the shirts by Wed so will put pics up on the BG board. They sure took a lot longer than regular Easy Fits, but part of that was the appliqueing and cutting and extra sewing as I double stitched them to make them look cuter. I can't wait to see yours.

German Shepards are smart dogs so that's why training may have been easier for you. My dogs have pea brains -- or should I say "pee" brains.

I can't wait to see your shorts and Chiara's. Think between all of us in this group, we are going to come up with some super pockets for the Easy fit shorts. I bought enough fabric to make 4 more pairs for my nephew. They had some nice solid colored cottons on sale at Hancocks for $2.49 per yard this weekend.

German Shepherds are supposed to be very smart. I am sure that's why they trained easier. If your dog has a "pee" brain, I guess I'd have to say my dog has a "poop" brain. She loves to leave us itty, bitty presents in the house when it is cold outside.

I
1) I know I need thread. Is there a particular brand that works best with PE770?
2) Stabilizer -- what kind do you guys recommend
3) Should I get additional software? I hear Monogram It is a useful piece of software to get. What do you guys think? Anything else?
4) Needles -- how many?

Anything else I should get while I'm ordering.

I don't have the PE770 but I can say that my Babylock is not very picky about thread. We all seem to have our own version of what works best in our machines in terms of stabilizers. What works best for me is heavy weight cut away stabilizer. I buy it by the bolt in Joanns. Bring in a coupon for 40% off and the price is pretty good! Most people don't seem to buy extra software until after they've had their machine for a while. There are so many places to buy ready made designs so most people wait until they are quite comfortable with their machines before adding on the software. I buy a couple of packages of needles anytime the notions are 1/2 off at Joanns or Hancocks. You will definitely need quite a bit of thread when you first start out. I ordered a lot of thread from Threadart.com when I first started out. It is dirt cheap, something like $1.65 per spool!

 

[VBAndrea]

I am just in awe at all of the amazing things I've seen on this thread. This is a group of very talented Disers.

So I'm ready to bite the bullet on the embroidery machine. My local store sells the Bernina Deco 340 for $1295. I can get the PE770 for $640 including shipping. At that price difference, I don't think I can justify the Bernina.

So can you guys help me with what all I need to order with the PE770.

1) I know I need thread. Is there a particular brand that works best with PE770?
2) Stabilizer -- what kind do you guys recommend
3) Should I get additional software? I hear Monogram It is a useful piece of software to get. What do you guys think? Anything else?
4) Needles -- how many?

Anything else I should get while I'm ordering.

A lot of us order our thread from Marathon. I think most of us get the 50 most popular colors, but order an extra black and possibly white. I've had my machine since May and ordered 2 spools of black and now need to order again. Also look at what designs you want to do -- my kids like a lot of nature things and horses so I ordered a bunch of browns and grays too.

I also get the tear away stabilizer from Marathon, and I buy their needles. Make sure you get ball point for t's / knits.

Some people buy the prewound bobbins from Marathon. I wind my own -- though prewound is tempting so I wouldn't have to wind all the time!

For cut away stabilizer I prefer Floriani medium weight. I have to buy it at the sew vac store, but it softens nicely once washed and doesn't irritate my kids' skin.

I also recommend a good embroidery scissors (use a coupon at Joann's) and a manicure scissor.

You will also want a washable marker or pencils for marking on t;s to line them up.

I only buy designs so can't recommend any programs.

HTH. I'm sure I'm forgetting some things.

Me <------- who is supposed to be sewing but I have a dog snoozing on my lap and can't bear to wake him. I am working on a tote for the dd of the lady who gave me one of my sewing machines. Her dd is in college and her b-day is the 24th. I have everything cut and now need to put it together. Then I have another gift to work on for someone else. Once again my poor kids suffer!

 

[graceesmom]

A lot of us order our thread from Marathon. I think most of us get the 50 most popular colors, but order an extra black and possibly white. I've had my machine since May and ordered 2 spools of black and now need to order again. Also look at what designs you want to do -- my kids like a lot of nature things and horses so I ordered a bunch of browns and grays too.

I also get the tear away stabilizer from Marathon, and I buy their needles. Make sure you get ball point for t's / knits.

Some people buy the prewound bobbins from Marathon. I wind my own -- though prewound is tempting so I wouldn't have to wind all the time!

For cut away stabilizer I prefer Floriani medium weight. I have to buy it at the sew vac store, but it softens nicely once washed and doesn't irritate my kids' skin.

I also recommend a good embroidery scissors (use a coupon at Joann's) and a manicure scissor.

You will also want a washable marker or pencils for marking on t;s to line them up.

I only buy designs so can't recommend any programs.

HTH. I'm sure I'm forgetting some things.

Me <------- who is supposed to be sewing but I have a dog snoozing on my lap and can't bear to wake him. I am working on a tote for the dd of the lady who gave me one of my sewing machines. Her dd is in college and her b-day is the 24th. I have everything cut and now need to put it together. Then I have another gift to work on for someone else. Once again my poor kids suffer!

Thanks for the advice. Can I get the Marathon website? The site I found looked like a place to order already embroidered merchandise. I am planning to order the machine from Allbrands. I was thinking of just ordering my first set of supplies from there too, but I will check out Marathon too. Do they sell their own brand of threads or is there a particular brand of thread that is better than others.

 

[tinkbell13]

We also trained her to go on a verbal command. I think our dog has ADHD because when we'd take her out to go potty, she'd get so distracted playing and sniffing that she'd forget to go. So we trained her to go when she is told to, "Go potty!" However I wish we'd trained her to a different command like, "Do your business." Because I hate standing out on the deck and yelling out into the yard, "Go potty!" I am sure the neighbors are all laughing at me.

We trained to a command too as we travel a lot on the weekends during the summer and wanted the pup to go anytime we stopped. My husband came up with the phrase "do your numbers" because it isn't commonly said and we wouldn't have to worry about someone else saying it at an inopportune time. Funny how I forgot about that until I saw your post!

The Fabricland in Hyde Park had some Winnie the Pooh fabric in mid-February. The other place in London that often has a variety of Disney fabric is Lens Mill on Exeter Road (just past Wonderland).

Judy

Thanks Judy. Hyde Park is the one store I haven't been too yet, probably because I was so disappointed after going to the Wonderland Rd and Dundas St stores. I didn't see any in Lens Mill when I was there, but then again I easily could have missed it in that place!

Wendy (sorry, didn't grab your post) We have a German Shepherd pup who just turned 5 months old.

I think I was more excited about him sleeping through the night than I was any of the kids!

Side not about the puppy...he looks full grown. He is going to be huge! Both of his parents weighed in at over 100 pounds without an ounce of fat! He has just started developing his big boy bark. It really came in handy a few days ago.

A civilian process server came to serve papers on someone that doesn't live in my house. He wouldn't take no for an answer and tried to push his way in the house. I slammed the door, locked the deadbolt, and brought my 'puppy' to the door. The process server threw the papers in my yard and ran to his car!
'Nuff said!

Nini

Have I mentioned that I German Shepherds! Ours is a 2.5 year old, long haired, red and black girl that goes by the name of Buffy. We had Jasmine, a black and tan regular shepherd, before that. I would agree on being more excited about sleeping through the night but then again DS was sleeping through the night at 5 weeks and the pup just two weeks after we got her. Buffy's parents were both near 100 pounds. She has topped out at a nice 65-70 pounds but she looks bigger with the long hair. I about the process server. Ours loves to intimidate anyone who comes to the door but would probably roll over and want them to rub her belly if they stuck around!

So can you guys help me with what all I need to order with the PE770.

1) I know I need thread. Is there a particular brand that works best with PE770?
2) Stabilizer -- what kind do you guys recommend
3) Should I get additional software? I hear Monogram It is a useful piece of software to get. What do you guys think? Anything else?
4) Needles -- how many?

Anything else I should get while I'm ordering.

Thread, stabilizer, needles, embroidery scissors and marking pencils like others have said. Maybe spray fabric adhesive to help with t-shirts if you do them. You may also want to try different stabilizers to see which works best for the types of projects you are doing. I ordered a set of threads from Threadart to be able to get lots of different colours and then extra large spools of white, black and green as I know those will be colours I use all the time. I have been happy with that thread so far. If the designs you want have already been digitized by someone else it would probably be less expensive to purchase them as compared to additional software. I purchased software only because I need to digitize a bunch of logos for my husband's company, BIL's company, friend's company, etc. Good luck!