Not every pattern for costume or prop can be purchased. Sometimes, you will have to resort to making your own, especially if you’re considering a high level craftmanship competition. These cosplay pattern drafting tools and their uses will help you shop for supplies and get to work with ease.
Pattern Drafting Tools
There’s a lot of tools you may use for pattern drafting and each has a different use.
Measuring Tools
- Measuring tape – This gives you a flexible measuring tool that’s vital for taking body measurements.
- Rulers – To draw out straight lines and right angles, you’ll want a straight ruler.
- Curved rulers – Armholes, necklines and other curved edges of a garment can only be achieved with a curved ruler.
Marking Tools
- Sharpie – To trace the pattern for foam or Worbla patterns, you’re going to want a sharpie.
- Tailor’s chalk – To trace a pattern for fabric, you’ll want tailor’s chalk.
- Pencils – For marking on paper or transferring your pattern, have pencils ready.
- Notcher – A notcher is used to indicate placement points, registration marks and seam allowance in a pattern.
Cutting & Shaping Tools
- Scissors – You’ll want separate pairs for cutting patterns, duct tape patterns and fabric from draping patterns.
- Pins – For draping, have pins ready to position and shape your fabric.
- Pattern weights – To keep pattern paper lying flat as you transfer, use weights to help hold it down.
Other Pattern Drafting Tools
- Pattern paper – This is your base material for drafting patterns or what you will transfer the pieces of fabric or duct tape onto if you try draping or patterning for foam and Worbla.
- Scotch tape – Use this to make quick adjustments to a pattern.
- Dress form – This one is optional. It’s a great tool though for draping or creating foam patterns not on your own body.
- Plastic wrap and duct tape – To create foam armor patterns, you typically will wrap your body in plastic wrap, then duct tape and then draw out the pattern.
What are 4 Important Tools Needed to Draft a Pattern
There is a lot of tools out there to choose from. However, the 4 most important tools you need to draft a pattern are the following:
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Sharpie or tailor’s chalk
- Rulers
What is the Best Ruler for Pattern Drafting
There is a variety of rulers to choose from and many you might need with pattern drafting. However, some are more vital than others.
- Clear 18 inch grid ruler – This ruler is the best for pattern drafting. Its transparency allows you to see underlying lines for accurate placement, makes drawing straight lines easy, aids in measuring and aligning pattern pieces as well as maneuvering around curves.
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