This list is in no way exhaustive, simply vendors we’ve dealt with in the past, have friends who have done business with them and had a positive experience, or sites we find interesting.
Remember caveat emptor with any online merchant.
Companies offering various costume supplies including tools & notions, made-to-order costumes, historical costume accessories and some other really cool living history stuff.
1860-1960 – antique garments and accessories for sale
A & A Wig and Hairpiece Corporation – heads, hair, cases & hair supplies
Abraham’s Lady – specializing in Civil War era
American Duchess – historical shoes built for modern costumers – tell Lauren & Abby I sent you!
Annie’s Crafts (was Clotilde)– home of the famous Perfect Pleater
B.Black & Sons – industry sewing supplies
Burnley & Trowbridge Co. – 18th and early 19th C. supplies
Butterfly Frillies – custom corsets, Recommended by Linda Shoberg
The Button Baron – buttons & notions 1840-1940
CorsetMaking.com – wide range of supplies for your corset sewing; fast shipping
Costumes of Nashua – *Parasols* and loads of other general costumes & supplies
Crazy Crow – Historic reenactor clothing, accoutrements, gear and more
Dames a la Mode – rhinestone/paste, coral and pearl jewelry for 18th century and Regency ensembles (could be used for Victorian or Edwardian too) – tell Taylor I sent you!
Denise Nadine Design – hat & bonnet buckram frames and kits
Dharma Trading Co. – white & natural silks and cottons; THE source for fabric dyes
The Dressmaker’s Shop – general costume supplies, patterns, books, etc.
Farthingales – all sorts of supplies for corset and hoopskirt/bustle making
Fire Mountain Gems – beads, beads, beads, findings, and other jewelry making supplies
The Historical Hairdresser – custom & pre-made wigs and hairpieces. When you order, please tell Tracy you found her from HistoricalSewing.com!
HoopWire.com – new source! They sell the very familiar double spring steel wire covered in polymer coating that is dyeable. Catering to the tutu industry, the wire is great stuff but expensive as they sell by the foot – be sure to take note when ordering for a bustle or hoopskirt!
La Rose Passementarie – assorted notions
Lacis – fabulous notions and tools
LadyDatelle – excellent jewelry reproductions for 18th and 19th centuries – tell TheLady I sent you!
Lots of Buttons – over 26,000 different buttons
JAS Townsend & Son – great company focusing on 18th and early 19th C. living history supplies
Nancy’s Notions – general sewing notions and supplies
Online Fabrics Store – hoopwire, buckram
Panther Primitives – makers of fabulous reenacting tents and other supplies
Patterns of Time – loads of sewing patterns as well as notions & supplies
PGM Dressform – general sewing supplies catering to fashion/costume industries
Red Rock Threads – thread, needles, stabilizers, and more
Richard the Thread – supplies specifically for historical costume making -West Coast US shop – they have hoop wire!
Sarah’s Hat Boxes – a large variety of hat boxes made in the USA
Sew True – *everything* for sewing including drafting supplies
Sock Dreams – stockings and knee-highs
Three Feathers Pewter – lovely pewter buttons!
Victorian Trading Company – jewelry, hat pins, accessories & more to complement your costumes
Village Hat Shop – hats galore!
Vintage Textiles – Vintage linens, laces and fabric
WAWAK Sewing Supplies – all manner of sewing supplies
Wes Terner’s Outfitter – various costume accessories and patterns
Wooded Hamlet – natural tapes, carries cage crinoline kits
Do You Have a Favorite Costume Supply Website That You’d Love to Share?
Send us a message using the contact form below and we’ll check it out. If it passes our “top-secret test,” we’ll be happy to post it here for the world to see. Remember to send us your personal review as well as the site address/URL so we know exactly where to look.