Equipment list

Here is a list of things I find useful.  I have listed precise items.  This is not generally as a result of comparing one brand with another, these are just things that work for me.  For your convenience, and a minor kick-back from Amazon I've included links directly to amazon.co.uk where I know them.


45mm Rotary Cutter

A rotary cutter is essential.  Scalpel or scissors are generally useless as the latex deforms as it is cut and a smooth cut edge is virtually impossible.
Amazon: Fiskars 45mm Rotary Cutter and spare 45mm blade
Amazon: Olfa Small Rotary Cutter-18mm


Cutting Mat

A cutting mat is essential.  It protects your table top from your rotary cutter (and also from the latex cleaner and glue) and prolongs the life of the blade of the rotary cutter (which are not cheap).


White Gel Marking Pen

A white gel pen is essential for drawing pattern pieces onto the latex.  The ink can be removed with latex cleaner.   However it is always best to mark the reverse (matt) side of the latex just in case.  White is the best colour for most colours of latex, but for white latex you may prefer to get coloured pens - though I have found that these don't clean off as well as the ink from white pens.  

Ruler for cutting with rotary cutter

You will generally use the rotary cutter freehand.  However sometimes you will want to cut very straight lines (e.g. for contrast trims).  Using a rotary cutter with a normal ruler is not advisable.  The cutter can roll up onto the ruler damaging the straight edge of the ruler, blunting the cutter and potentially cutting your fingers.  A ruler that is designed for use with a rotary cutter has a vertical metal edge along which the side of the rotary cutter blade can run.
Amazon: 60cm Acrylic Rule/Ruler with Steel Cutting Edge - Jakar
Amazon: Linex Hobby Cutting Ruler Anti-slip Light Aluminium 1 Bevelled Side 1 Plain Side 50cm Ref LXE2950M

Glue spreaders

These are cheap and last forever.  They are 13mm XXX wide as purchased.  They are easily cut to different widths.  The general width for gluing for seams is 8mm XXX. 

Masking tape

Masking tape is very useful to prevent latex from stretching, for example when cutting very thin strips, or when gluing areas that must be perfectly flat such as zips.
Amazon: Tesa Sensitive Surfaces Low Tack Masking Tape With 7 Days Residue Free Removal, 30 mm x 50 m
Amazon: Tesa Sensitive Surfaces Low Tack Masking Tape With 7 Days Residue Free Removal, 50 mm x 50 m

Copydex

Copydex is used for preparing non-latex material that is to be incorporated, such as zips.
Amazon: Copydex 125ml Bottle Adhesive 4598 1652

Scalpel handle and 10/10A blades

Having said above that a scalpel is useless, it is actually sometimes essential for very tiny cuts. A retractable blade handle is useful. The blades can be bought in 100s very cheaply.
'10A' blades are pointed.
'10' blades have a curved tip and are more suited to cutting latex.
Amazon: Swann Morton retractaway blade knife/scalpel + 5 10a blades Amazon: Swann Morton number 10A scalpel blades x 100 blades Amazon: Swann Morton Non-Sterile Surgical Blade Remover Unit

Tweezers

A good pair of tweezers is essential. Undoing seems requires a firm but fine grip.
Amazon: Tweezerman Green Tea Mini Slant Tweezer

Pattern Tracing Wheel

A pattern tracing wheel can be used for transposing a commercial pattern pieces (provided on very flimsy tracing paper) onto lining paper more suited to use with latex.
Gmazon: Get Precise Pointed, High Grade Steel Needle-Pointed Tracing Wheel- Pattern Making, Pattern Tracing

Scissors

A good quality pair of scissors is useful.
XXXX



No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)