Q-Snaps hoops. Circular hoops stretch fabric on the bias; Q-snaps preserve the grain of the fabric. They're also comfortable to hold. http://www.qsnap.com/
Sharp scissors. I love my Gingher embroidery scissors, but if I didn't already have a pair, I'd go for Havel's, which have excellent quality. http://www.havelssewing.com/
Some way to organize the thread; everybody's got their favorite. I tend to just grab a piece of cardboard, write thread numbers, and make slits in the cardboard to hold each bunch of thread of the same color.
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Thread Heaven. All hail Thread Heaven. http://www.threadheaven.com/
Q-Snaps hoops. Circular hoops stretch fabric on the bias; Q-snaps preserve the grain of the fabric. They're also comfortable to hold. http://www.qsnap.com/
Sharp scissors. I love my Gingher embroidery scissors, but if I didn't already have a pair, I'd go for Havel's, which have excellent quality. http://www.havelssewing.com/
Some way to organize the thread; everybody's got their favorite. I tend to just grab a piece of cardboard, write thread numbers, and make slits in the cardboard to hold each bunch of thread of the same color.
I like this sort of needle threader: http://www.123stitch.com/item/Dritz-Tapestry-Needle-Threaders/123-10500 Much, much less fiddly than the wire ones, and less likely to cause twisting.
I keep my current project and its associated tools in a quart or gallon-sized Zip-Loc.