Singer Heavy Duty 4411
This is the portable sewing machine I provide for my beginners class and it is also the one I use at home and in my tutorials. I like it because it has a metal frame and it has all of the functions you need without being too overwhelming. It's a great machine to get started with.
Brother Serger 1034D
A serger machine isn't absolutely necessary but it will help your sewing projects achieve a clean finished look in quicker time than the alternative methods using your regular sewing machine. This one is heavy duty with a metal frame. I use this serger at home.
Electric Fabric Scissors
I love these electric scissors but they do take some getting used to. You might need to take it slow in the beginning.