Let's go over the necessary equipment for successful dressmaking.
I personally created this list with direct Amazon links to make it easy for you.
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First things first - the essentials:
Sewing machine (home or industrial)
It's preferable to use an industrial lockstitch machine. We recommend the JUKI brand. But you can use any household sewing machine as well. If you don't have an expensive industrial machine at your disposal, it is absolutely unnecessary to buy one from a start.
Buy from your local provider
Hi-steam press-iron with Teflon plate
Or a budget-friendly option:
Dress form (mannequin) Professional dress form with collapsible shoulders is preferable, we recommend the "PGM Dress Form" brand. But it is not necessary. Any simple foam dress form will work, especially if you are at the beginning of your journey and looking for a budget-friendly options.
Buy from your local provider
Medium size scissors Make sure to buy a good pair of scissors. This is crucial, invest in a good one and you will never regret it! We recommend the KAI brand, made in Japan.
Rigilene Boning: 8mm (0.3") wide and 12mm (0.5") wide
Plastic Boning
Porcelynne underwire For making cups and bustier.
Iron-on fusible materials (batiste)
Disappearing ink marker pen
Gutermann Textile Glue
Simple white duck tape
Masking tape 1.5cm (0.6") wide
Pruner
Padding Polyester
Silk Cord (for measurements)
Cup pressing moulds (tailoring board for "bust" pressing) Factory or self made DIY You should have several moulds like this in different sizes. You can easily make it yourself DIY: Take foam spheres of varying diameters from any hobby shop and cut them in halves. You can also use plastic spheres. Cover the half-spheres with layers of iron-on batiste. That's it, you have your own custom pressing forms.
Pear-shaped mould for pressing side seams and small rounded details Factory or self made DIY You can easily make it yourself DIY by covering bowling pin with multiple layers of iron-on batiste.
Grommet machine
Professional pyrography toolkit
Illusion mesh
White voile for sewing wedding skirts
Rotary Cutter 28MM
Rotary Fabric Cutter 45mm
Double-Sided, Self-Healing Rotary Mat
Additional Corset-making supplies:
1/2" Wide Double-fold Bias Tape
Broadcloth Cord Piping
Delicate Lace-Covered Hook & Eye Tape
Brushed Back Strap
Picot-Edge Plush Lingerie Elastic
Steel Corset Busks
Hard Horsehair Braid with Gathering Thread
HARLEY Ribbed White Waistband Elastic
White Spring Steel Boning
Grommets (Hole Size 4.8mm)
Snap Tape
9mm Imitation Pearl Buttons
Transparent Matte TPU Elastic
Picot Shine Lingerie Elastic