SOURCES OF MATERIALS FOR HISTORICAL COSTUMES: SOME SUGGESTIONS
Philip Gust’s Suggestions:
Kathe Gust compiled a list of online stores that sell fabrics and notions for historical costumes.
I should say that while we have used several of them for the few historical costumes we've built, we also look for "similar" fabrics because many historical fabrics just aren't available any more. Kathe gives an example in her article on the Georgian costume she made me a couple of years ago, substituting corduroy for corded silk (see "The Kensington Project," Virtual Costumer vol 11 issue 3:
http://www.siwcostumers.org/vc_contents.html#v11_i3)Sometimes finding "similar" fabrics is a matter of luck and looking long enough. The big lesson we've learned is to give ourselves enough time to "get lucky." We're working on a historical entry for CC 33 that we've know we'd do for several years. In fact, we spotted just the right fabric for it in the dealers’ room at CC 31.
Another way to find "similar" fabrics is to visit one of the large metropolitan areas that have a fabric district. For example, we've made a number of "discoveries" in the LA Fashion District. Visiting can be overwhelming, so plan to spend all day (or even a weekend) at it. See Gail Wolfenden-Steib's article, "LA Fashion Confidential," in the Virtual Costumer, volume 8 issue 1:
http://www.siwcostumers.org/vc_contents.html#v18_i1 for tips on visiting.Here is a list of online stores that Kathe compiled.
http://www.thistlehillweavers.com/fabrics.htmlCreating beautiful, historically accurate reproduction fabrics for more than 15 years. See the review of their website in the Virtual Costumer, vol 8 issue 1:
http://www.siwcostumers.org/vc_contents.html#v8_i1. http://www.calontirtrim.com/catalog.phpFabulous Trims at Fantastic Prices. Not all are reproductions.
http://www.reproductionfabrics.com/An online source of cotton reproduction fabric for costuming and quilting. Fabric of time periods 1775 to 1950, including the Civil War and Depression Eras.
http://www.renaissancefabrics.net/Wool, silk, linen, and cotton fabrics for the historical costumer, historical trims,
lace, buttons, and patterns.
http://periodfabric.com/A wide variety of authentic, period fabrics: Linsey-Woolsey, Fustian, Hemp, Tent Canvas, Marquis, jean cloth, jean wool, Linens, Blends, Tent Canvas, and Oil Cloth
http://www.historicaltextiles.com/Fabrics for discerning historical tailors, reenactors, museums, conservators and collectors; eras ranging from Ancient Roman, English Civil War, Lace Wars, French and Indian War, American Revolutionary War, Napoleonic Wars, Crimean War and American Civil War
http://www.houseofsculthorpe.com/Materials for all eras up until the 1st World War, for all different status’ and for all different budgets!
http://www.thedressmakersshop.com/Reproduction Fabrics, Civil War Fabrics, Historic Fabrics
http://www.fabrics-store.com/blog/Linen in various weights and colors
http://www.twobeesfabric.com/Specializing in 1800's Civil War Era reproduction and 1930's reproduction quilt and reenactment costume fabrics.
https://sites.google.com/site/bluecatbuttonworks/Button styles in use during the late 1600's through the 1800's.
http://www.militaryheritage.com/button1.htmReproduction Heritage and Military Uniform Buttons
http://www.bellomodo.com/index.php?cPath=84_1995Antique reproduction buttons
http://www.wmboothdraper.com/Business that provides fabrics, thread, patterns, sewing gear and notions for 18th century reenactors.
https://www.realmofregalia.com/store/index.htmlTrims/ribbons and accessories for the costumer.
http://www.vintage-ribbon.com/Vintage ribbon and antique laces and trims.
http://www.time-warp-textiles.co.uk/textiles.htmProducing and supplying both highly accurate 'museum grade' textiles and a more affordable line of 'costume grade' replica fabric covering different periods including Roman, Viking and Saxon, Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart.
http://www.burnleyandtrowbridge.com/Specializing in 17th, 18th and early 19th Century Fabrics, Notions, Patterns,
http://www.thaisilks.com/Over 1400 Silk Fabrics from China, Korea, Thailand, and India
http://www.dharmatrading.com/Dyeable natural fabrics in various weights
Henry Osier’s Suggestion:
Hancock in Paducah does have some prints that do work for historical. Mainly pre-1900 USA. I know AlterYears has some good stuff. Wool is still wool, so a better fabric store will work. Like Hancock. Not sure on JoAnn's anymore. I know friends who do Renn Faires and the like go to stores that have upholstery fabric for that stuff. It also works for fancy Victorian.