Originally Posted by
Ramblinrev
Unless you have an industrial machine, which is doubtful, regular easily available 100% polyester thread in "all purpose" weight is fine. The needle size is a personal preference in most cases. I think it is a mistake to get overly concerned with those details when you are just getting started. You can find charts giving those ratios somewhere on line, but to be honest they are far too anal for me to get into. If the needle breaks or bends it is too light. If it punches the fabric down into the throat plate it is too heavy. Other than that... find one you like and go with it. I like a larger needle because it is easier for me to see the eye and get it threaded. Others like a smaller needle because they like a smaller puncture diameter in the fabric. Ultimately it is up to you.
What is more important is thread quality and needle quality and type. The universal point is adequate for the materials you listed. DO NOT use "ball point" needles as they are intended for knit and stretch fabrics. My own preference is "sharps" but they are getting harder to find as the "universal" takes over the market.