Fabric and Supply Sources



Here are some of the merchants and vendors I have patronized for living history supplies: historically accurate patterns, specialty fabrics, niche craft tools, etc. Several sites fit more than one category, so I've taken some liberties in sorting them. [I am not involved in any of these businesses or otherwise compensated by them, but am speaking for myself as a satisfied customer. And trying to make a convenient list for when people ask me where I purchased something.]


Historic Clothing Patterns/Pattern Books

The Sewing Academy/Historic Moments Patterns: Completely outfit women and children for 1840-65.

Past Patterns: Has some good mid-19th century shapes for men and women; I haven't worked with their later patterns (and for men's wear have only made their shirts).

Sense and Sensibility Patterns: Regency loveliness. I haven't worked with their other eras, but they also have patterns from the 1780s-1950s.

Kayfig/ Figleaf Patterns: Several are 1860s original patterns scaled to a modern sizes, others are taken off of surviving garments. Some are reprints of period patterns in the original size only. I've made the wrapper a few times.

Tudor Tailor: Patterns and pattern books for 16th century costuming. The best source for laces from this period; also carries some specialty early-modern fabrics, tools, etc.

Corset and Hoop Patterns/Hardware

Farthingale's: Hoop wire, busks, spiral and spring steels, etc. [aka Farthingale's Canada]

Corsetmaking: Hoop and corset hardware; I've had mixed experiences.

Needle and Thread: (Wooded Hamlet Designs): Reputed to carry the best cage crinoline available. Also fabrics (see below).

The Fitting Room: Seattle source for corset busks and steels, also makes custom garments and patterns. Very knowledgeable and friendly owner.

Laughing Moon Patterns: Have not made them, but I've heard good things about the Dore and Silverado corsets (pattern #100) for 1850s/60s wear.

Redthreaded: Corsets (ready-made or custom) and corset patterns, mid-18th to late-19th century. They apparently also carry kits and wooden busks. I have heard very good things about their mid-19th century corsets, particularly for full figures.

Wawak: Sewing notions, including corset busks and steel boning. The best prices I've seen for steels, to be honest.

Millinery Supplies and Patterns

Timely Tresses: Patterns, kits, pre-made bonnet forms, and completed bonnets--plus the hardware, fabric, and trimmings needed to make them.

The Dressmaker's Shop: My go-to place for straw bonnet supplies (they have blanks as well); they also carry Timely Tresses patterns, and various mid-century sewing notions.

Anna Worden Bauersmith: Makes beautiful straw bonnets and hats, and also patterns for winters hoods, (and fichus, and sewing accessories...).

Mrs. Parker's Millinery: Complete bonnets, or blanks for you to decorate.

That Way Hat: Modern hats, but they carry straw plait and artificial flowers which meet my standards.

Hats by Leko: Moderns hats, but also carries hemp plait and potentially useful flowers.



Buttons, Hardware, Accessories

Button Baron: Largest selection of buttons c.1840-1940, also a decent selection of notions and sewing hardware. The proprietors are very knowledgeable, and the shop in Gettysburg is worth a visit (but the online ordering works fine).

Ensembles of the Past: Repro belt buckles for 19th century. I haven't ordered their fabric before, but they do carry it. Online shop closed on Saturdays.

Billy and Charlie's Finest Quality Pewter Goods: Medieval brooches, belts, buttons, and other small metal items (mostly accessories, some housewares). Some 16th century designs. Impeccable research.


Needlework/Embroidery Supplies and Tools

Lacis: Various needlework and textile or textile-adjacent tools and supplies. Also carries fabric conservation supplies and costume history books. A good place to look for the really esoteric stuff.

Nordic Needle: Embroidery supplies, including Penelope canvas, wool and silk floss, etc.

Threadneedle Street: Embroidery supplies, including canvas, wool and silk floss, etc.

Needle In A Haystack: Embroidery silks.



Jewelry and Straw-Work Supplies

Fire Mountain Gems: Glass/coral/pearl beads, some clasps. Carries size FF beading silk which is supposed to resemble Victorian "purse silk" for netting and fine crochet projects.

The Straw Shop: Plait, whole or flattened straws for fancy work. Modern straw-working tools.

Dyes

Botanical Colors: Natural dyes (weld, madder, cochineal, logwood, indigo, etc.)

Dharma Trading Co: This is the place for prepared modern dyes and mordants, and their fabric selection runs towards white silks and fine cottons to use with those. I've had good experiences using their fiber-reactive dyes on silk. Generally has white and black silk crinkle chiffon (for emulating mourning crape); often the cheapest option for large quantities of Pimatex cotton broadcloth. 

Fabric Stores

Reproduction Fabrics: One of the easiest places to browse for period cotton prints c.1775-1950 (they're arranged by time period!). Very knowledgeable proprietor.

Hancock's of Paducah: The next largest selection of reproduction prints that I've found, also carries pimatex cotton for undergarments. Occasional gems show up in the clearance area.

Fabrics Store: The widest variety and highest quality linen I've found.  I order all of my linen from them, since the prices are only slightly higher than elsewhere, but the quality of the material is noticeably better. Regularly has small sales.

Renaissance Fabrics: Despite the name, many of their materials are appropriate for 18th/19th century. Wools, silks, cottons, and linens, as well as ribbons and trim. Decent variety, and a good place for fun weaves and textures (and sometimes polished cotton). Not cheap. 

Dharma Trading Co: Usually the cheapest option for large quantities of Pimatex cotton. This is the place for dyes and mordants, and their fabric selection runs towards white silks and fine cottons to use with those. Generally has white and black silk crinkle chiffon (for emulating mourning crape).

Burnley & Trowbridge: Wools, linen, cotton, silk. Particularly good for lighter-weight wools in bright colors. They are the source for linen tapes, and also carry cotton tapes/cords, notions, and repro sewing tools. Late 18th century focus, but many fabrics are useful for many eras.

Needle and Thread: The website isn't great (call to place an order), but this Gettysburg shop has a huge selection of 19th-century reproduction prints. More importantly, it is THE source for specialty fabrics: polished cotton, spotted net, hair canvas, etc. Good selection of wool tapes, also carries ribbons, etc.

William Booth, Draper: Aimed at late 18th/early 19th century reenactors, but carries fine wools, cotton velvet, and other materials which are useful later in the 19th century. Good source for wool hem tape.

Fashion Fabrics Club: Worth checking for silks, wools, and shirting-weight cottons. Variable selection.

Fabric Mart: Changing selection of silks, wools, and cottons (other than repro prints).

Thai Silks: Various silk fabrics.

Pure Silks: Has the largest selection of silk taffetas, especially patterned ones. Confirm fiber content before purchasing.

Takach Press: Actually a print-supple shop, but they carry cotton tarlatan for interlining late 19th century skirts.

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