A Cosplayer’s Favorite Tools: An Updated List from Author Annye Driscoll
A cosplayer’s favorite tools: An updated list!
For the release of my first book, The Ultimate Glue Guide, I wrote a list of my favorite gadgets for cosplaying and making. Since Ultimate Encyclopedia of Fabrics & Unconventional Materials has an extensive equipment chapter, I got to learn about, use, and practice with a whole new batch of specialty tools. Now I have some new favorites to share!
A folding cutting mat. It doesn’t seem like a cutting mat should be able to fold without creating a bump that would mess with cutting, but this thing is magical! I love that it’s easier to store and move around my workshop than a non-foldable version. (See that wavy “hair” in the photo above? That’s the seam in the mat!)
An edgestitch foot. As a lazy cosplayer™, I’ve always executed my edgestitching the “easy” way: by eyeballing it with the foot I already had on my sewing machine. Folks, let me tell you— taking the 15 seconds to switch to a foot that makes such a massive difference in the quality of your edgestitch (and makes it easier and cleaner to execute) is so worth it.
Serrated-edge shears. These specialty scissors have serrations on the blades, making them grippier on lightweight and slinky fabrics. The serrations make a huge difference! Suddenly cutting these wiggly materials is not just a huge exercise in frustration and inaccuracy, because the scissors grab the fabric as you cut.
A translucent press cloth. I’ve been using an old sheet as a press cloth for years. It’s done its job valiantly and I’ll definitely still be using it when I need to press something potentially messy. But for the book I pinked the edges of a piece of white silk organza—the easiest “sewing” project ever—and now I have a see-through and heat-resistant press cloth that has upped my pressing game immensely.
My serger. I mean… I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my new baby. Owning a serger is a great privilege, and I’m taking full advantage of it! I love being able to overlock the edges of fray-prone fabrics (how do I always manage to pick them for my costume pieces??), and sewing with stretch materials has gotten a million times easier.
New gadgets and goodies are by no means necessary when making cosplays or other creations, but just these (mostly) small purchases have made a huge difference in my experience with and enjoyment of creating.
Seriously y’all—get yourself some serrated shears! (And also a copy of Ultimate Encyclopedia of Fabrics & Unconventional Materials 😉.)
Annye Driscoll, known on the internet as Maker Fishmeal, is a writer, teacher, and very slow crafter. They are a repeat finalist for the Riot Games Summer Finals Contest and have earned multiple Best in Show awards. They’re the author of The Ultimate Glue Guide, Finish Your Cosplay!, and Ultimate Encyclopedia of Fabrics and Unconventional Materials. They live in Ohio with their partner, kitties, pony, and school of fancy guppies.
