Professional Sewing Tricks from the Costume Shop

Ever wonder how professional costumers sew? How they save time, cut frustration in half, save money and keep themselves safe? Self-taught cosplayers and sewists: this is for you.

These are basic standards and fundamental knowledge that everyone who works in professional costume shops takes for granted - but there's no easy way for self-taught stitchers to learn all this...just a long slog of trial and error. Boo. Your time's too valuable to waste.

Sources mentioned in video (none are sponsored; I buy from all these regularly, both for cosplay and professionally):

Wawak: notions, interfacing, pressing tools, marking tools, cutting tools
https://www.wawak.com/

Bias Bespoke: notions, interfacing, tailoring supplies, corsetry and lingerie supplies
https://www.biasbespoke.com/

Richard The Thread: corset supplies, millinery supplies, specialty theatre & ballet notions & fasteners, specialty costume fabrics and supplies
https://www.richardthethread.com/shop...

Special mention: Gutermann Tera thread - note that it's very slick, so it's less appropriate for basic seams, as the whole thread can be pulled out easier without breaking
https://www.wawak.com/thread/thread-b...

00:00
00:47 List o' things
01:45 1. Pre-wash fabric
02:51 2. Pre-press fabric
05:52 3. Grainline: tear fabric or pull a thread
08:05 4. Use gray or black thread if your color runs out
08:52 5. Serge or finish every seam that isn’t enclosed
10:57 6. Set pleats/remove wrinkles with 1:1 diluted white vinegar spray
11:31 7. Clean irons with iron cleaner and vinegar
13:55 8. Have a serged muslin or silk organza press cloth handy
15:02 9. Stand on tension mats
15:40 10. Buy notions from businesses that cater to professionals
19:45 11. MAGNETS
20:17 12. Use the strongest appropriate thread
21:44 13. Always, ALWAYS wear a mask around dye powder and follow safety precautions