In this week's video, I shared 10 beginner tools for viewers to start sewing. They’re 10 very basic yet necessary tools when learning how to sew. As they practice and grow their skills, they can add to the list, but the items listed in the video are a good a foundational start to their sewing journey. Great for them, right? Okay, well while creating this video, it got me to thinking about the essential tools as I need as a designer. What items do I need in my arsenal in order to create greatness? And when I phrased the question in the ladder form, that’s what lit a spark.

As a designer, I feel safe in saying that you’ll pretty much need the same tools as a hobby sewer. Beyond those 10 objects, I’d probably add some pattern drafting and draping tools along with a computer program or two… Nothing too crazy. But, at the foundation of what I need to be a good designer, is a good atmosphere. One that induces creativity, lessons anxiety and is comforting. Here’s how I create that:

6 Tools I Need as a Fashion Designer

1. Music. 

Music is a whole mood to me. I can work in silence, and sometimes I do, but having music is definitely preferred. I either like to keep it calm and mellow so I can feel relaxed and vibe as I work, so I’ll play some soft soulful R&B and keep the volume low for background music. On the other end, I like to blast throwbacks and have off key karaoke sessions as I dance around with scissors in my hands. Music itself can also become a design inspiration of its own through its melodies, beats and lyrics. It's definitely a must when creating the right creative energy in the room.

2. Pinterest.

Good ol’ Pinterest. The platform plays a pretty decent role in my everyday life but it has a significant role when I’m designing. It is a library with infinite design inspiration to pull from at my own leisure. There isn’t a visual resource that can inspire me more than Pinterest. At least an information based resource. I’m sure a nice beach view or architectural finding could create some visual inspiration of its own. But back to the topic at hand, the platform shows design techniques, tutorials, and design archives that I probably wouldn’t have come across if it hadn’t ended up on my feed. And better believe I’m pinning every single one so I can come and look back at it.

3. Workspace.

I’m going to apply this to both a physical workspace and a mental workspace. For a physical workspace, very little is better than coming into a very large and very clear space to work at. It’s like I’m an explorer claiming land as I spread out all my materials and tools. My workspace will become a hot mess the further I get into working, and that’s fine, but that initial encounter with openness gets the juices flowing and I’m ready to put in work. 

As for a mental workspace, it’s more ideal to create when I don’t have anything weighing heavy on my mind. So in essence, I need a very large and very clear space in my mind also. It gives room for ideas and concepts to flow in and out easily and I’m not distracted by the trivial matters of the world.

4. Snacks.

So I’m a big stress eater. When I feel anxious or overwhelmed, my mind gets all cloudy and all I want is to feel a familiar sense of happiness. That’s where the snacks - often junk food - comes in. I will eat all the chocolates, some of the chips and a bunch of the cake if it’s available to me and I probably won’t stop until it’s gone. Guilt free. I know it’s not the greatest or the healthiest of solutions but it’s staying right there in my toolbox for the time being.

5. Comfortable clothing. 

My specific vibe is a hoodie though. I don’t like feeling restrained nor self conscious about what I’m wearing when I’m focusing on designing and both serve as unneeded distractions from the process. Instead, I opt for sweatpants, a tank top and a loose hoodie that has to have the ability to go past my hands, along with a hood that is preferably large enough to fit around my big hair. I have this weird comfort thing, that when I'm starting to feel overwhelmed, I'll put the ribbed cuff of the hoodie over my hands and throw the hood over my head. The more I’m covered, the better. It’s like I’m using it as a reclusive armor. I feel like I’m that Homer Simpson meme that’s slowly retracting into the bush until he’s disappeared. I really don’t know why i do it or where the habit started, but it’s something that I’ve been using for comfort ever since I can remember.

Having the right tools to get you started on your journey is essential, no matter what hobby, trade or practice you do, but having the tools to help build momentum in what you’re doing is also a necessity. What are some of the tools that you have in your arsenal that keep you inspired, comforted and progressing in your hobby, side hustle or business?