Tools of the Trade

A hot knife for cutting foam/plastic. It's like magic.

>>8837097
Set of big, long clear ruler, a small ruler (seam gauge), and French curve (or curved ruler).

Roll of spa/medical paper.

>>8837097
Just naming off the stuff that has helped greatly/saved my ass in a pinch at con itself. you can be surprised with what you can make due with, when options are limited.

Cordless hot glue gun
Double-sided tape
Safety pins
X-acto knife
Tide to-go spot pens
black/white thread with needles
Cheap hairspray ( seals body paint in a pinch)
Velcro of all sizes
Medical gauze ( For looks and for real injuries)
Pocket lint brush
Super Glue
Single serving of powdered chicken soup ( best hangover cure if you drink)
Equipment everyone should learn to use, or at least be familiar with:

Sandpaper/Power sander
Sewing machine
Dremel or other rotary tool
Good/Safe X-acto knife skills ( too many scars to count from that damn knife)
Any device that allows you to get 72 hours of rush work done 24 hours before you leave for the con.

To be honest, it all depends what kind of cosplay you are going to be doing mostly.

Doing alot of armor/props? Power tools are involved 50-75% of the time

Doing alot of dresses/custom clothing? prepare to love/hate the sewing machine.


I would say, at the bare minimum, you should get your hands on a sewing machine. Find a old, metal one that can do a shitload of layers at once, if possible. If you have a sewing shop in town, these can be found for under 75 bucks.

The biggest tool to learn how to use is your head. Taking time to plan/pattern out a cosplay can save you a shitload of time/money in the future.

>>8837097
Scrap paper to sketch things on the fly.
Instead of hot glue, I've really taken to contact glue/cement. It smells like shit and you need to ventilate, but it works so well.

File: iron.jpg (142KB, 393x705px) Image search: [Google]

142KB, 393x705px

i didn't see an iron mentioned. GOT to have one of those!

>>8837495
Ham press and clothes steamer, too. No point in making yourself even more miserable and exhausted at the end of a long sewing day trying to figure out how the hell to jam a gathered leg of mutton sleeve into an ironing board in a way that doesn't create more wrinkles, or having to steam velvet in a draughty hotel shower.