Comments on: Searching for Historical Supplies from Chain Fabric Stores

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 15:53:00 +0000

In reply to Neil. So glad you liked it Neil!

By: Neil

Neil — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 14:12:20 +0000

I haven’t made a costume yet and I don’t know much about sewing but I learned alot about fabrics, etc, from reading you article “7 Strategies From Creating Realistic Historical Clothing From Chain Fabric Stores.” Thanks, very much. It has enlightened me very much on sewing and making costumes.

By: Mea

Mea — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 18:55:41 +0000

I know I’m late to the game here but just came across this article.

I just started costuming a few years ago. I am trying for a costume for each of the fashion periods. That being said, I go to garage sales to get old white sheets or tablecloths for cheap to use in place of muslin from the store. Sometimes you come across embroidered or crocheted sheets/tablecloths which is a plus!

At garage sales ALWAYS ask if they have any old notions they want to get rid of. They may say no but it never hurts to ask. One time got lucky and got a small vintage box of buttons and they only asked for $3.00. Woot! Another place I ended up with 32 sets of vintage, but usable, knitting needles, in a 1940s wooden container for $5. So… ASK!

Also, at thrift shops, many times you can find articles of clothing where the cloth/style is close to looking accurate and needs only a few tweaks to make it work. I found a 3x teal, full length, 100% cotton skirt that I will be able to use for my early 1870s Victorian bustle skirt. I will need to remove the elastic but, with the bustle and all the trim I’ll put on it, you won’t be able to tell it’s modern.

By: The 1913 Blue Floral Corset

The 1913 Blue Floral Corset — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 19:01:34 +0000

[…] way to start a [corset] project is with a mockup. I used a really pretty blue bull denim from my local fabric store that makes me want to make lots of pretty colored corsets. I was unsure of such a long corset. But […]

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 01:50:59 +0000

In reply to Sharee Metzger. Great story!

By: Sharee Metzger

Sharee Metzger — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 23:10:15 +0000

I made a ball gown out of dark blue changeable taffeta that I bought on a half price sale at Joann’s for a late civil war dress. Decided to copy a Godey’s book dress. 4 yards for the black velvet (yup Joann’s) bodice with a bertha neckline of alternating taffeta and black velvet. Then I guess I went crazy after that. 42 yards of pleating , ruching, hand beaded lace. I told everyone that it was my “mourning dress” because after all that work, I intend to be buried in it! That skirt has to have 15 yards of taffeta. Now I’m doing costumes for a tv show that takes place in 1885. That skirt bustles so amazingly when you pull that fabric around to the back!! I love to copy petersons, godey’s and Leslie offerings. I guess I am just as nutty as the next gal after all! I live in the wrong era. I need to move! 🙂

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 14:32:12 +0000

Excellent suggestions Jennifer. I find it also helps to combine the new fabric with vintage/antique touches. New fabric with old lace picked up at a flea market for a few dollars and old buttons from your grandmother’s tin, really step up the period look and feel. I’m lucky to have an antiques flea market nearby and usually can find a bit of this or that once a month to put in my stash for very reasonable prices.

By: Rose Nin

Rose Nin — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 13:35:34 +0000

Another place for great fabrics for costumes is Calico fabrics. Not only do they often have great sales, but their fabrics are upholstery wide, have great and interesting patterns, and the variety of weight and textures and colors is enought to get those creative juices flowing. I also like to browse in antique or consignment shops. I look for old textiles and laces and old embroidered table cloths and napkins. Those old, stained, magnificently embroidered cloths clean up nicely and are often made of fabrics no longer available in today’s general market. I have made first communion dresses and christening gowns out of these.