My Quirky Kit Bag Extras

Following on from my last post of My Absolute Kit Bag Essentials I wanted to expand the list slightly to cover the extra things I carry with me to dressing rooms and quick change that may not seem quite so obvious to many. It’s no surprise that I keep safety pins and needle and thread with me at all times, but some on this list may surprise some of you.

Multitool

I keep a Leatherman handy, and I’ve used it for many weird and wonderful things; pulled corset bones out, bent wire inside a costume, screwed a shoe heel brace back in, tightened bolts in clothes rails/racks… things you would never plan for. And for opening bottles and the corkscrew, of course

Small Tin of Mints

Nobody wants to be in a small space around somebody with smelly breath!

Adjustable Bra Straps

Okay, so say you’re dressing a dancer. They are wearing a new costume that’s slipping off the shoulders as they dance. What do you add to the costume quickly that can A hold the garment up and B is quickly adjustable? An adjustable bra strap does both things, and are really useful to have to hand

Super Glue

Sticks anything fast. I mostly use this for loose crystals, appliqués and shoe rubber,

Small Fabric Tac

Fabric Tac is an American branded fast drying fabric glue. Used this a lot on millinery for a quick fix when fabrics peeling

Gaff Tape

As we surely all know, can fix just about everything

Cable Ties - Assorted Sizes

Fixes what Gaff can’t

Talc Powder

Useful for lining boots and tight costumes to combat perspiration for quick changes

Anti-chafing Gel

Stops costume rubbing and skin irritation

Sticky insulation foam

Really great for when structured but tight costumes are rubbing, like a corset bone, moulded plastic pieces, carbon fibre etc

Hat padding

For resizing a new hat, or an old hat where the hairstyle has changed, quickly and easily

Microfibre cloth 

Last minute polishing on high-shine fabrics and materials to get rid of the fingerprints

Plaster tape 

Useful to have for if a corset bone tries to escape from the costume mid-show! Soft enough to not hurt the artist, strong enough to hold for the rest of the show until you can repair it

Hot Hands Hand Warmers

Hand warmers in a packet! Open them up and the air activates them to release warmth. Great for cold days for the artist, often used on the way to stage. I’ve also used them to warm boots in snow!

Do you have anything that you keep in your kit that may be a bit strange?! And of course the stories about why they’re there!

Add them in the comments below!