Back in 2016, I wrote this blog post “My Top 5 Cosplay Tools I Can’t Live Without.” While the title was a bit hyperbolic, I stand by those original choices. Considering it’s been eight years since that post and I’ve made significant strides in my cosplay and crafting journey, I thought I’d write an update with some new tools that either didn’t make the cut last time or I didn’t even know about back then. But rather than pick my favorites, this time I’m going to list the ones that see the most use and come in handy the most often.
First, let’s start with what I did mention. They were:
- Sewing machine
- Spool & bobbin cases
- Rotary cutter and cutting mat
- X-acto knife
- Hot glue gun
Looks like 2016 Ash cheated a little bit by mentioning two things on number 3. She also had an honorable mention of fabric scissors. What’s really fun is that my two wishlist items—a dress form and a serger—are things I now have in my possession! Huzzah!
Enough preface, let’s get into the new list!
#10. Dress form
While it no longer matches my actual torso size and is less dress form and more mannequin these days, it does get plenty of use. Good for letting my skirts hang, good for taking progress pictures.
Back when it did match my measurements, it was invaluable for pattern draping. My brain thinks much better by pinning fabric to a 3d form than it does flat/block patterning. (One day I’ll learn how to do that with the book I got for Christmas. One day. Until then: I love me some draping.)
#9. Invisible zipper foot
For the longest time, I thought I was just bad at installing invisible zippers. The one on my wedding dress was so bad, I told our photographer to not take any photos of my cocktail dress from the back. (When the detachable skirt was on, it looked fine, but the bottom half of that invisible zipper was very visible.) It wasn’t until I got an invisible zipper foot that I realized that I was just missing a nice, easier tool!
#8. Iron (and ironing board)
I only recently really started using my iron often. All because I saw how often the stylists on “Making the Cut” would press open seams while in a time crunch. If they can take the time to make their seams crisp while running around during a reality competition show, I can, too!
It really does make a huge difference. Ironing/pressing takes the project from homemade to professional. Not only that, it makes sewing easier because you’re not battling an annoying seam that won’t lay flat and stay where you need it to stay. I’ve seen the light and it is ironing/pressing as you go along. I never put away my ironing board so that I’m more enticed to use it.
#7. Needle for hand sewing
Until I learn of the existence of and obtain a magical machine that can sew on snaps, install hooks and eyes, and ladder stitch, I must continue to use the OG of sewing. (It’s gonna be really funny if it turns out there is such a thing and I’m just ignorant of it.) I’m thankful that I’ve gotten very dextrous with my hand sewing so that I can do it quickly without much fuss. Tedious as it may be, there is something very meditative about the methodical process of sewing by hand. I think that’s why I enjoy embroidery so much.
#6. Seam ripper
No one is perfect; I am no exception. I have two now because I lost one. Of course as soon as I bought a new one, the old one showed up. Fine by me.
#5. Walking foot
This has become my default foot for my sewing machine ever since discovering I had it. (It took over a dozen years to realize what it was in the little bag that came with my sewing machine. All those years! Wasted!) While it’s a little bit on the louder side compared to my other sewing feet, being able to get through thicker or slippery fabrics is so gratifying. Highly recommend you get one if you don’t have one already. I also find that it’s easier for my eyes to line up the seam and keep it straight/parallel for some reason.
#4. Clips
As someone who despises pinning, I use clips every possible chance I can get. I hate instances where I have to use pins for appliques because I wish I could just clip them on somehow instead. (I need to remember those spray-adhesives that other people use; that’ll save my poor fingers from stabbing.) I’ve had this pack of 50 for about seven years and have never managed to lose one. (I did, however have to throw out a couple because they broke. But again: seven years! That’s a decent run, I would say.)
#3. Alignment ruler
I don’t remember when I bought this ruler. It might’ve been as long ago as college (which was over a dozen years ago). I think I had bought it thinking I would use it for drawing, but it really comes in handy for sewing. I love using the parallel lines for adding seam allowances to patterns.
Bonus non-sewing use: I use this ruler all the time for hand lettering. Absolutely perfect for making grid guide lines so I can make all my letters look just right.
#2. Fabric weights
I got these because I was sick of using whatever random objects I had lying around on my desk to lay my paper patterns flat. Considering I use a roll of butcher paper a lot for pattern drafting, they tend to roll up a lot. I could only use my phone and my box of clips so many times before I finally just bought myself two packs of weights from Joann’s. (As I’m writing this, I realize I could be utilizing tool #8 and lightly iron them before hand. But I would still need something to hold the fabric in place.)
#1. Giant cutting mat
I know. I said I wouldn’t mention anything that had already been listed in the previous post, but did I mention that it’s giant? This seems fitting given I didn’t really give the smaller cutting mat its due last time by tacking it onto the rotary cutter item previously.
I bought mine using the gift card I had received for winning a judge’s award in a cosplay tutorial contest and it is so nice to be able to cut on such a large area. It’s practically my entire table! Not having to shift the fabric around to cut big pieces is so nice; I can just cut to my heart’s content without really having to think about it except for truly giant fabric pieces. It’s also handy as a quick ruler if I just want to measure something really quickly. By far my most used contest prize.
Honorable mention: Bolt of muslin fabric.
It’s not technically a tool, but I just had to give this a shout-out. Having an entire bolt of muslin fabric (bought at a heavy discount) really does come in handy for every patterning project. I like making muslin patterns more than paper ones when I can help it. They just seem sturdier and don’t have the aforementioned issue of the pieces rolling up.
Last time, I finished the post off with my favorite places to shop for sewing/cosplay as well as my wish list. This time, however, I think I’ll shout-out the contest that earned me that giant cutting mat.
Online Cosplay Tutorial Challenge
I’m so happy that there’s a space for showcasing just how much hard work goes into creating all those tutorials you see online for cosplay and sewing. Believe me: they’re not easy! I don’t even call my build posts tutorials because they’re not; they document my process, but I’m not necessarily actively teaching you how to do it. You may glean a thing or two by reading or watching, but I never claim to do tutorials (except for the occasional one).
I highly recommend you check out the site. They list out every single entry (and there are so many) for each year, starting in 2022. You can find things on sewing, wig styling, prop-making, and a whole lot more.