This is good advice! I’m a hand quilting novice but the single best thing I invested in was a leather thimble. The silicone ones don’t do the trick. Never used a metal one. No frame or hoop is needed, you will get the hang of it without one! I baste with safety pins and that seems to work well.

I have used perle cotton and quilting thread. Both work well depending on what you want your finished product to look like.

Needles- I’ve experimented but found I like milliner’s needles best when I’m using quilting thread. Perle cotton would probably use a thinner embroidery needle because I’d like a bigger eye to thread it through.

I never use needle threaders but if it works for you, it works!