Covering tools

[GreggG]

I'm just getting started on covering and was wondering if anyone has a preferred list of tools. I bought a hobby iron that is garbage, and my ski wax iron doesn't get hot enough per my digital thermometer.

What size needle do I need to stitch the tail feathers? Do they need to be curved?

Scissors; I have a couple new Fiskars pinking shears and normal shears. Do I need a rotary pinking sheer like I see on the videos? Speaking of videos, I've been watching the Stewart System videos and Mitch's. Any other good sources you can think of?

Thanks in advance,
Gregg