If you’re new to the world of making costumes, you might be nervous about where to start. It’s important to make sure you have all the supplies you need before getting started so you can avoid multiple trips to the store. What supplies do you need though to make costumes? Well, I’m here to tell you what you need to start sewing cosplays like a pro.
Cosplay Sewing Supplies
There’s a few main tools, machines and materials you need for sewing. Now don’t get too nervous by this list and cost. Some things can be bought over time and you don’t have to get top of the line, brand-name items when you’re starting out. There’s a variety of options for all different budgets.
- Sewing machine: A sewing machine isn’t necessarily mandatory but I personally find important. Sewing costumes means large and time consuming pieces need to be sewn. While you’re more than welcome to do it by hand, a machine just gets the job done faster. You don’t have to go for a professional machine either. There is plenty of beginner sewing machines to shop from if you’re just starting out and aren’t ready to make a big investment.
- Needles: Whether you’re sewing by hand or machine, you’ll need sewing needles. There’s all sorts of options for both machine needles and hand sewing. Both have standard needles but also heavy duty options for sewing with leathers and vinyl. I typically keep a variety on hand in case random projects pop up but it’s ok to just have what you need and a few replacement needles incase they break.
- Scissors, cutters and sharpeners: You definitely can’t cut fabric with your bare hands, so this is a must. Scissors and rotary cutters will help you cut out your fabrics and trims to start sewing. You should probably also keep a sharpener though on hand so you’re able keep your fabric sheers in peak condition.
- Presser feet: This is where I could spend hours shopping, sewing machine feet. There’s a variety of different presser feet to choose from, but you may not need them all. You definitely will want a basic, universal foot but you also have zipper feet, rufflers, gathering feet, hemming feet and overlock feet to look through incase you need them. There’s even more niche options like button sewing feet and sewing feet for sewing in elastic.
- Pins and cushion: The cushion is definitely optional, but some sort of pin storage is needed. Pins are quite necessary. Whether you go for standard old sewing pins or the newer clips, you need these to line up your fabric before the sewing of a cosplay begins.
- Thread: This one is definitely mandatory since you really can’t sew without threads. I like to keep some standard colors always on hand like black and white but also be sure you have colors that match to your fabrics as well.
- Fabrics: It’ll be awfully hard to sew without any fabric to sew with. What specific fabric you need will depend on your project. You can find fabric from Joann fabric stores for something in person or Fabric Wholesale Direct if you like to shop online.
- Lining, interfacing and stabilizers: Things like corsets and such can’t go unlined. If you plan to sew pleather, leather or even vinyl fabrics then you are going to need things like lining fabric or possible interfacing and stabilizers. A sewing pattern should typically tell you if you need these things. I like to keep plain cotton muslin on hand for liners.
- Bobbins: If you go the sewing machine route, you’ll need bobbins. A lot of time your machine will come with one or two depending on what you get. Sometimes though it’s nice to have extras on hand incase you use a lot of different color threads to sew.
- Seam ripper: In case you make a mistake, you’re going to want to have a seam ripper handy, These help to remove sewn seams as cleanly as possible without just tearing apart the fabric.
- Sewing chalk or markers: Tracing out patterns or drawing one when draping requires something to draw on fabric. Things like sewing chalk or markers are perfect and shouldn’t bleed through the fabric.
- Tape measure: If you want the cosplay you sew to fit you properly, then you need your measurements. A tape measure is the best way to measure for things like fabrics over a ruler so you can contour the tape to all body shapes.
- Other sewing notions: Sewing notions will encompass a lot of different things and you might not need them all. Things like bias tape, fabric trim, elastic, seam rollers, tracing wheels and more will vary from project to project. Some things like elastic and seam rollers are good to always have but don’t feel like you have to buy it all.
Optional Cosplay Sewing Supplies
There’s also tools you can keep on your radar when trying to decide what you need to start sewing cosplays, but none of these are really required to get the job done. So look at some of these optional tools:
- Serger: Serging seams isn’t a must. They’re a nice to have but you are able to get by without it. Thus a serger is a good for later type of purchase. You could also get by with an overlocking foot for your sewing machine if it has the right stitch setting to do overlocking seams.
- Sewing patterns: You are able to buy sewing patterns and there’s a bunch out there to choose from. However, you can also draft your own patterns if you choose so you don’t have to buy these unless you choose too.
- Dress form: A dress form is great for pattern drafting. However it isn’t a must have either since you can get by without them, make a duct tape one or even visit a local makerspace to use one.
- Boning, grommets and punch tools:: All of those things will apply to making things like corsets or bodices and not all of your sewing so you shouldn’t need this for every cosplay.
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