Costume, Fashion and Textile Research Let’s start! This one is a one stop post for listed images and reference related to all things clothing in the digital world.
Fabric
Uesful links for sewing
Useful links for sewing
- http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/dressmaking-techniques/
- http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/handling-fabric/
The wonderful people at the sewing directory.ok.uk have compiled this amazing list of links. If you need to know how a fabric should be sewen click on a link! Sewing machine and foot questions answered. As well as some other top tips not to be missed. So go on bookmark this page and file it under ‘very useful info that I might need someday’.
How to Look After Your Scissors – an interview with scissor-maker Nick Wright of Ernest Wright & Son
Wonderful article from Wendy Wards Blog site. All you ever need to know about looking after your fabric scissors. #fabricscissors
Remember my visit to the fabulous Ernest Wright & Son scissor factory in my hometown of Sheffield at the end of last year? And my promise that an interview with owner Nick Wright all about how to look after your scissors would follow soon? Well at long last, here it is. Better late than never. Are you sitting comfortably……
Me: What’s the best way to look after your scissors Nick?
Nick: I would always say store scissors dry, and maybe wrapped in some clean dry absorbent material. We use carbon steel (not stainless) for most of our cloth-cutting products as we find carbon steel holds its sharp edge better and for longer; however it doesn’t always mix too well with moisture.
Frequently open your scissors really wide, and firmly wipe all the insides with a dry cloth (take care with your fingers!) including behind the screw area around where the…
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An interview with Kristen Stewart @ the Valentine
An interview with Kristen Stewart – curator of Costume and Textile exhibitions.
A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Kristen Stewart, the Nathalie L. Klaus Curator of Costumes and Textiles at the Valentine museum. Originally from Richmond, Kristen has worked with several great costume collections including the MET Costume Institute before moving back to take the position at the Valentine last fall. Kristen was kind enough to take me on a personal tour of the current Classical Allure: Richmond Style show, and to answer some of my questions.
Libertas – knit garments from the 1970’s, providing freedom of movement for the body.*
Classical Allure is a small but engaging collection of items in an intimate setting that perfectly suits an exhibit showcasing fashion about and belonging to native Richmonders. The focus of the collection are the four goddesses representing Virginia on the state seal, Virtus (virtue / valor), Ceres (agriculture / fertility); Libertas (liberty) and Aeternitas (eternity). Through garments, sculpture…
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Exhibition: New for Now: The Origin of Fashion Magazines
Where: The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
When: June 12 to September 27, 2015
“Before the advent of photography, fashion was mainly seen in prints. The often beautifully coloured designs showed one or several models wearing fashionable clothing, and included a short description. For that reason, these fashion prints in particular are considered the precursors to today’s fashion magazines.
The Rijksmuseum presents a major retrospective of its rich collection of costume and fashion prints for the first time. The change in women’s and men’s fashion from the year 1600 up to and including the first half of the 20th century, and the development of the fashion magazine into the fashion glossies we know today, can be seen in more than 300 prints. The exhibition was designed by designer and co-curator Christian Borstlap, in collaboration with fashion illustrators Piet Paris and Quentin Jones.”
Top 10 supplier for wardrobe Supervisors.
Over a time you build up a ‘go to’ list of suppliers & resources. Made from a trusted mixture of reliable delivery, customer service and range of stock. This list is taken from my personal ‘go to’ list.
UK
A business of fixture and fittings for retail but so much more. Morplan has been a fashion student’s life line for years. (I still have my scissors from my college days!) You can order a paper catalogue, shop online or visit 1 of their 3 stores. Tailoring equipment, specialist threads, pattern making tools, tailor dummies and dressmaking supplies are all worth a visit.
“Established in 1920 – Jaycotts is a family run, online-retail company.
We’ve been doing this for a long time, and have built a strong reputation for being one of the countries leading suppliers of sewing products. Our service is widely known to be efficient and reliable. Our website has thousands of products from the best manufacturers & brands.
We supply the general public, businesses, schools & colleges, hospitals and government organisations, etc. Anyone can shop with us – Online, by phone (01244 394 099) and in person at our store in Chester.”
History: A family business established in 1971 based on College Rd’ in Rochdale by Richard Atherton senior;beginning with the sale / rental & servicing of industrial / domestic machines. The business developed into the supply of spare parts & needles; from which the company quickly expanded and moved into larger premises on Bamford Rd, Heywood, then Phoenix Ind Estate, Heywood and now Waterfold business park, Bury situated next to the M66 motorway (pictured). Sons Justin, Richard junior & Mark actively run operations where all major sewing machine brands are extensively stocked for immediate supply. Stockists & Agents for Brother, Durkopp Adler, Juki, Kansai, Mitsubishi, Pegasus, Pfaff, Rimoldi, Singer, Union Special along with other established brands; Schmetz needles & Mundial scissors.
Luck for me this shop is in the local area to me. Art van Go is an art shop and teaching space. A textile artiste Aladdin’s cave of dye, fabric paint and artist’s equipment.
The Studios, Stevenage Road, Knebworth, Herts, SG3 6AN. Call: 01438 814949
USA/Worldwide
- http://www.wardrobesupplies.com/ (Manhattan Wardrobe Supply )
How Manhattan Wardrobe Supply Started
Manhattan Wardrobe Supply was born after Cheryl Kilbourne-Kimpton and Tommy Boyer heard the remark “I’m getting too old for this…” on a late night film shoot. The remark opened a conversation about creating a one stop shop of their dreams: a place with everything a Costume Professional or Fashion Stylist would ever need, whether for film, tv, the stage or circus.
– See more at: http://blog.wardrobesupplies.com/about-manhattan-wardrobe-supply/#sthash.ZqMM9Hqh.dpuf
What can I tell you MWS has been a staple ‘go to’ every since I start to work in the US. Now I’m back in the UK shipping is not as easy but possible.
Welcome to WAWAK® Sewing Supplies, featuring the world’s largest inventory of brand name sewing supplies! With more than 20,000 premium-quality items in stock, we have everything for home sewing and for the professional. Whatever project you’re working on, whatever you need, we’ve got the perfect product in stock and ready to ship! And every item is available to you at the lowest price anywhere. In fact, we GUARANTEE the lowest price on every item we sell!
Request a catalogue , set up an account and make sure you place your order early. As sometimes they can run out of stock quick!
Since 1983 Tuxedo Wholesaler has been a leading supplier of men’s and women’s Concert Attire to performance groups. We are experts at outfitting groups of all sizes, offering affordable elegance with a wide range of classical selections. Our experienced customer service staff can assist you in all aspects of outfitting your group. Our goal is to give you original designs and quality merchandise at affordable prices. We stand behind our products and strive for your complete satisfaction.Menswear for Theatre & Costume from classic lines to re-invented lines for stylized characters. Tuxedo Wholesaler is a provider of the highest quality garments for your theatrical performance and costume needs. We proudly serve the Theatre, Film, and Music industries, schools, universities, and professionals worldwide.
Rhinestone Guy offers retail and wholesale rhinestones at competitive prices and unmatched customer service. Our line of Swarovski Crystals Xirius & Xilion Rose and Czech Preciosa VIVA rhinestones is extensive. Our RG Premium, and Hot Fix RG2 rhinestones is a great alternative for those with large production needs. And, those who are looking for brilliant stones will be amazed at their pricing. Rhinestone Guy says these rhinestones are the Best Sparkle for the Buck! We have rhinestones for every project and budget. Our inventory is vast and ready to be shipped. And… YES, we ship immediately.
Request their catalog and enjoy flipping through the pages for all your costume craft and dyeing needs.
Corset and Crinoline Supplies
Corset Making
“Actors love mental disorders, dialects, and corsets. Give them one of the three and they’re happy. ” – Robin Tunney
Whale bone, cotton and satin tails, 1885 Galliera, Musée De La Mode De La Ville De Paris
Here’s my tried and trusted resources on the subject of corset and crinoline making. Please contribute any that you use and trust by leaving a comment. If like me, this is an area of interest please enjoy looking over the websites and maybe start a new project?
UK
Vena Cava Design inventory offers you everything you would every need to make a basic, historic to costumed designed corset. Packed full of costume making resources, this online shopping website should be a must on everyone’s bookmarked list.
MacCulloch & Wallis shop one of the industry hangouts in London. Always great to be able to see in person what you are buying, you can also order online.25-26 Poland Street, London, W1F 8QN Tel: 020 7629 0311
Sew Curvy runs the School of Corsetry and has a tutorials on corset making. Their website sells corset making supplies that come with useful guides and charts to help you decide which boning is right for your project.
Buckles Express (Joseph Segal Ltd) I am hi-lighting the eyelets as there are many to choose from. What is great you can find the ones with the taller shank, which is helpful when it comes to corset making due to the thickness of fabrics. Cortress House, Julia Street, Strangeways, Manchester, England, UK, M3 1DQ Tel: +44(0)161 834 979
Yep an eBay store! They sell steel boning and rubber boning caps. Offer a service that you can have your boning cut to the length you require, all for a great price. http://stores.ebay.co.uk/ontrendfabrics/Boning-/_i.html?_fsub=4349704011
USA
Not just for corsets – bra, hat and leather making supplies are catered from this well-established company. Based in Philadelphia. Website is very user friendly. Contact them – Delicious, LLC. 212 E. Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125 Tel: 215-413-8259 cs@SuppliesSites.com
Old faithful Richard the Thread may be on the higher end of the price bracket but is reliable and all goods are trust worthy. A one stop shop for all your costume needs! Contact them – 1960 South La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90034. 1-800-473-4997
This New York City store is a treasure trove and an institution within the garment district. Call them and they will help attend to your needs or visit the store for an education in its self. 239 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018 United States, b/t 7th Ave & 8th Ave, Midtown West Tel: 212 869-0321
Dragontown Corset Supply cater for the individual as well as wholesale quantities. Online shopping that is made easy with their photos and descriptions to the variety on offer. Take a look! orders@corsetsupply.com Tel: 570.431.9042 M-F 9:00-3:00 Eastern, 420 Hermon Rd. Saxe, VA 23967. USA
Linda Sparks owns Farthingales Midwest Corsets & Supplies. She is also the author of “The Basics of Corset Building- A Handbook for Beginners”. An informative textbook for anyone wanting to learn corsetry. The website offers a host of information on the subject as well as selling top quality supplies for corsets and crinolines, as well as tools and patterns. HOWEVER, the store itself is closed. You can still order corset supplies on the website and they will be shipped from Chicago. BUT I would so and use their flagship company (see below) located in Canada.
A Canadian online company that has some ‘hard to find’ items listed. They ship worldwide to both the theatre and film industry. Tutu making and Garter making supplies are offered as well as Millinery and Patterns. sales@farthingalescorsetmakingsupplies.com
Research
…”fascinating history of Spirella and the corsetieres who worked for this company…”
Primary sources are all over this wonderful German website. Do not miss the chance to read ‘The Corset and the Crinoline – A book of Modes and Costumes from Remote Periods to the Present Times’
Links
- My pinterest board – Corsets and Crinolines
- The V & A site
- https://staylace.com/films/indexfiles/a/index.html
Books
- Bare Essentials: Underwear – Construction and Pattern Drafting for Lingerie Design: 1 by Jennifer Lynne Matthews
- Corset Making: For Beginners to Intermediate
by Julia Bremble (CD-ROM)Corsets and Crinolines by Norah Waugh - Corsets: A Modern Guide by Velda Lauder
- Corsets: Historic Patterns and Techniques by Jill Salen
- Fashion and Fetishism: Corsets, Tight Lacing and Other Forms of Body-Sculpture by David Kunzie
- Foundations of Fashion book (revised 2013) – The Symington Corsetry Collection 1860-1990 by Philip Warren and Sarah Nicol.
- Foundations of Fashion: The Symington Corsetry Collection 1860-1990 by Christopher Page, Philip Warren
- Patterns of Fashion: 1660-1860: Vol 1 by Janet Arnold
- Period Costume for Stage and Screen: 1800-1909: Patterns for Women’s Dress by Jean Hunnisett, Janette Haslam
- Seventeenth Century Women’s Dress: 2 (Dress Pattern 2)
by Tiramani Jenny - The Basics of Corset Building: A Handbook for Beginners
by Linda Sparks - The Corset: A Cultural History by Valerie Steele
- The History of Underclothes (Dover Fashion and Costumes)
by C. Willett Cunnington - The Little Corset Book (Little Costume Workbooks)
by Bonnie Ambrose - The Tudor Tailor: Reconstructing Sixteenth-Century Dress
by Jane Malcolm-Davies, Ninya Mikhaila - Tight Lacing: 1828-1880 Pt. 1: A Bibliography of Articles and Letters Concerning Stays and Corsets for Men and Women
by Peter Farrer - Underwear by Wearden Jennifer
- Underwear Fashion in Detail
by Eleri Lynn - Vintage Lingerie: Historical Patterns and Techniques
by Jill Salen - Waisted efforts: An illustrated guide to corset making
by Robert Doyle
The costume resources & suppliers directory 