My 10 essential sewing tools for creating costumes
After all these years sewing costumes (cosplay, LARP costumes, all kinds of accessories) I've built up quite a collection of tools. Seriously, a lot of tools.
Honestly, in my workshop, some things are more useful to me than others. But I still have my basics. You know, the little essentials I can't do without. The ones I use pretty much every time, no matter the project.
To help set up your sewing workshop properly, here are 10 items that are simple, but that I consider essential. And why they deserve a spot in your workshop too.
A good pair of scissors
Pretty much obvious. A good pair of scissors is a must.
But odds are you'll want more than just one good pair.
First, because your fabric scissors are for fabric. And ONLY for fabric. So put a little sticker on them, warn everyone at home. Your fabric scissors are precious. That said, you don't need a $90 pair to be happy. As long as you take care of them, you'll be fine.
Next, you'll probably want a small pair of scissors too. Also for fabric. But for the fine details. Because it's a pain trying to make a small precision cut with a massive 12" tailor's shears. With a tiny pair, you're closer to your project, and it's easier to be delicate.
And finally, you need a pair of scissors for everything else. Because there's a huge range of different materials you'll want to cut (at minimum, paper), you need a pair that can handle all kinds of things. My suggestion, if you don't already have a good all-purpose pair: go to a dollar store and grab a pair of "fabric" scissors. They're not great for fabric… but they're awesome for everything else.
After that, you might end up with a whole pile of them, like me… But it's not mandatory. Personally, I know I have a bit of an obsession.
A rotary cutter and a large cutting mat
Scissors are definitely essential. But ever since I discovered the rotary cutter a few years back, I'm obsessed. Honestly, I can't do without it anymore. Of course, you also need a good cutting mat (otherwise, you're going to wreck your table, you know). But it's really a handy duo.
I especially love using my rotary cutter for cutting delicate fabrics. You know, the ones that shift just because you looked at them the wrong way? Sheers, satins, crepes, that kind of thing.
A clear ruler
Kind of like scissors, I have a slightly excessive number of rulers. But my favorite, the one I couldn't live without, is my grid ruler.
It's super handy because you've got reference marks in every direction. I use it for…
- adding seam allowances to a pattern
- drawing long parallel lines without wearing myself out
- drawing right-angle lines
Honestly, it's an awesome ruler. Mine is in cm. But it also comes in inches. And I've even seen ones with both (split half and half).
(yes, I know, it's old and grimy... that's because I really do use it all the time)
A tailor's wax chalk
It's my go-to for marking on fabric, but I also often use it on certain foams, Worbla, and all kinds of other materials. I love wax chalk because it usually erases really well. Just with the steam from my iron. So it's super handy for temporary reference marks or for testing things out.
Just be careful though, always do a test to make sure your chalk marks actually come off (there are still a few materials it doesn't work as well on…).
Little bonus tip: If you don't have any and want to try it out, go grab that little sliver of soap left in your shower (you know, the one that's gotten too small…), and let it dry out. And there you go! You've got yourself a wax chalk.
An iron
Nothing fancy. In fact, mine is actually an old thing from who knows when. But it remains an essential in sewing. Just as much as your machine, honestly. Yes, really.
Sure, a good quality iron is nice (well, that's kind of a hot take!). But better a basic one than nothing at all. I used to have a (sort of) good iron. Then it died. I temporarily replaced it with an old vintage thing that was sitting in the back of a closet… and I'm still working with that one several years later. Go figure...
[ edit: I eventually replaced my old iron with something really awesome. And I even built myself a really nice setup. You can see it in detail in my article The perfect ironing corner ]
If you want a nice, clean, well-made result, you're going to need to iron. And you're going to need to iron a lot. Pressing open your seam allowances, prepping your bias tape, pressing your hem… name it. You just can't skip it.
It's not even about liking to iron in everyday life (I don't press my regular clothes any more than you do), but when I'm making a costume, an iron is an absolute must.
Safety pins
Now, as a cosplayer or LARPer, this is the kind of thing you probably already have in your survival kit. Because we all know they've saved lives at conventions or on LARP fields.
But beyond the classic use for quick temporary repairs, safety pins are handy for all kinds of little things.
I use them a lot for threading a cord or elastic through a casing. Or for turning trim right side out. I also sometimes use safety pins instead of straight pins during fittings. Like along the bust edge (so you don't poke yourself when taking the garment off, for example). It's a really basic tool, but it's super practical.
By the way, please don't settle for the dollar store safety pins. Treat yourself, spend the extra $2, and get quality pins. That way you're sure the tip isn't already bent before you've even used them for the first time.
A curved needle
If you hand sew, you need needles. That much is obvious. But once you start sewing bulkier pieces and stiffer materials, it's not always easy to sew with a regular needle. That's where the curved needle becomes your best friend. Trust me.
The shape of the needle means it comes back out on its own easily, even when you can barely move the piece you're sewing.
Honestly, the moment I discovered curved needles, I was instantly hooked. Now I sew almost exclusively with curved needles.
You don't have to convert completely. But if you sew hats, mascot costumes, or things with weird shapes, give them a try. It's worth it.
Spray adhesive
If you've been subscribed to my newsletter for a while, you already know I have a particular soft spot for spray adhesive.
I looove it.
It's a glue that applies super easily and quickly. It doesn't leave a big residue or a thick crust. It stays flexible. And (my favorite part), you can sew right through it without gumming up your needle. It's magic!
So I use it really often to hold fabrics in place before sewing them. Like for appliqué work, among other things.
- You cut your piece of fabric
- You apply the glue
- You place it onto your piece
- And you sew without worrying about it shifting or warping.
It's freakin' awesome. I swear.
Its only downside is that it has a tendency to spread where you don't want it if you're not careful. So work in a suitable environment, ok?
Fray Check (or another brand, I'm not picky...)
This stuff keeps fabric from fraying. And it's really, really handy.
It's kind of a cross between glue and varnish, and it applies super simply straight from the bottle.
We all already know the trick of burning the end of a ribbon to keep it from fraying… But what do you do when your ribbon is mostly cotton? Because you know, that trick only works on synthetic fibers, which melt instead of burning…
Well, that's where Fray Check comes in handy. It's also really useful if you're doing a kind of appliqué with a fabric that frays a little (I say a little, because if it frays a lot, switch fabrics, that's not a good sign…).
Just be careful, because it can leave a small ring around your piece of fabric.
Masking tape
If you've read my article on 5 DIY tricks to upgrade your sewing space, you already have a good idea of why I love masking tape. But besides marking guides on my sewing machine, it's super handy for:
- making draped/molded patterns
- temporarily holding pieces in place
- masking off sections of accessories when painting
- and a bunch of other things
I use all kinds of tape, but masking tape is definitely the one I reach for most. I couldn't do without it.
Note: dollar store masking tape does the job just fine for a lot of things. That said, it doesn't stick as well as the ones sold at the hardware store. Worth keeping in mind depending on what you're using it for… For making a pattern, spring for a better tape than the dollar store one, you won't be disappointed.
If you're using it as a mask for a paint job, I highly recommend Frog Tape. Yes, it's quite a bit more expensive. But it's really magical. That little illustration on the box? It's true!
There you go, my 10 essentials. With these tools in your workshop, you've got what you need to tackle the vast majority of cosplay and LARP projects that come your way.
And if you want to put these tools to work right away, here's where to start:
- My sewing patterns for cosplay and LARP (to create your next projects)
- The little sewing glossary (to demystify the vocabulary if you're still learning)
- The Introduction to Leatherworking guide (to discover new techniques)
And if you want to stay in the loop on new products, promos, and new articles to help you with your creative projects, join The Harbour!
In the meantime,
Happy sewing! Happy crafting! 🤓✂🐙