When choosing material it is important to buy the correct type otherwise it will not hang from the body properly. You have to consider the durability and use as well as type.
The main types are:
Cotton, satin, linen, wool mix, silk, lace, quilting, chintz, leather, velvet,
brocade. Embroidered silks.
There are lots of oddments and sewing notions which you can get cheaply, end of rolls or discontinued lines in charity shops, antique and vinage fairs.) but if you need a large amount I have a local shop in Manchester ccinalled Aberkan's. A curtain supplier in Stockport is also useful for silk and chiffon as well as lining (thin cotton) If you don't initially want to risk spoiling fabric, use some used sheets or a duvet cover first this saves waste which is common when learning. Haberdashery shops supply zips, buttons, cotton and various trimmings but shops are getting fewer by the year also online shops can supply rarer items or boning and lacing like Vena Cava design.
Materials needed:large amount of strong pins, a large-sharp pair of scissors, a small pair of scissors, quickunpic. A cutting surface preferably at waist height, a table will do. Tailors chalk, washable fabric pen, a selection of sewing cottons. Safety pins. An adjustable taylor dummy is a great asset.
The cut of the period was dictated by the width of the fabrics used, The cutting
diagrams by Diderot show this. Fabric width now are:
36inch, 48inch, 60inch etc. but this is also dictated by the looms available at
the time. Silk is the narrowest and Cashmere the widest used in period clothes.
The fabric used is also dependant on the time period, although made the use of
fine fabrics was not used just after the French Revolution when a simpler style
was adopted. The introduction of printing on fabric also dictated fashion
Medieval Period - Leather, wool, linen. Jacobean embroidery.
1600s- The riding outfit were made of strong fabrics. Mine is made of embroidered brocade. Feathers for tricorn hats. Braiding
1700s - The fashion required large amounts of lace trim to hem. Large amounts of
material in silk for skirt and overskirts. Fashion for the rich dictated by French
Court. Huge Panniers widened skirts.
Early 1800s - cotton used in Regency dress.
1830's Many underskirts (as many as 5!) and corded under-skirt. Printed cotton. Large amounts of material is required for large sleeves.
1800s Rich Victorian's bustle dresses were made of Velvet, brocaded velvet, taffita and silk.
