Links
Patterns
Do you want to sew vintage clothing, but don't want to draft your own patterns? There are many sites that lend or sell patterns. Some that I've enjoyed using are:
- Vintage Pattern Lending Library contains a collection of over 3,000 antique, rare and vintage sewing and needlework patterns, and fashion related materials covering the periods of 1840 through late 1940's. All of these are available to members to check out. Copies of some of the patterns are available for sale to nonmembers and members alike.
- Dressmaking Research offers CDs of primary source material at reasonable prices. It is run by a well-spoken gentleman with a long career in costuming, and the emphasis is on meticulous research and full documentation (those phrases make my heart sing!).
- Patterns from the Past sells original, vintage and some recently out of print sewing patterns of all kinds, and older knitting, crochet and tatting patterns and shuttles.
- Rusty Zipper sells vintage clothing and acessoris, as well as sewing patterns, books (and even decor).
And of course, there's always eBay, an online auction which lists, among other items, vintage patterns.
Collections of Links
Need an exhaustive list of costume resources and don't want to use a search engine? Try:
- The Costumer's Manifesto, wide range of links, well organized.
- The Costume Site, seldom updated, but still has some unique links.
Costuming Groups
All dressed up and nowhere to go? Find your local costuming guild:
If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, these groups regularly sponsor dances and other events where you could wear your vintage creations:
- Greater Bay Area Costumer's Guild, the San Francisco Bay Area's chapter of the International Costumers' Guild. They maintain a thorough list of costume organizations.
- Period Events & Entertainments Re-Creation Society, Inc.,is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to remembering, researching, and re-creating the performing arts of the past. More than anything else, they are dedicated to the idea of entertainment as something for people to do rather than watch.
- Ye Gaskell Occasional Dance Society has been sponsoring Victorian Ballroom dances for over 20 years.
