I always get so excited when I start seeing annual gift giving guides: it's so much fun to see the various businesses grow and change over the years! There's so many wonderful businesses that cater to the historical costuming, re-enacting and cosplay communities, and in addition there are some great small businesses that provide quality supplies to these (and other) communities!
I decided to join in this year with a small Historical Sources Holiday Gift Guide introducing a few of my personal favorite sources where you can find great items this holiday season! Here's a short list of some of my go-to's for ready-made accessories, jewelry, supplies, fabric, silk ribbon, vintage and more!
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| 1-InTheLongRun, 2-Hatsperiod, 3-LadyDetalle, 4-Historical Designs, 5-1800'sMillineryShop, 6-Queen&Cavendish |
Millinery and Foundations:
1800s Millinery Shop - limited shop stock selection, though this mother/daughter combo create beautiful Regency thru Victorian bonnets, and do custom commissions when they have time
Hatsperiod - Jane's Georgian and Victorian perchers are to-die-for, and this lovely British costumer blocks her hats then decorates them with vintage and antique buckles, Papilionaceous silk ribbons and delicious feathers & flowers
Historical Designs - lovely and affordable corsets and stays, shifts, etc. from helpful shop owner Beth - plan ahead as her corset commission schedule is planned months out
Historic Jewelry and Accessories:
Queen And Cavendish - blingly bling jewelry, get some sparkly glam here from the lovely Kim! (currently listed as closed until Jan)
IntheLongRun - elegant, affordable designs from talented photographer and costumer/cosplayer Gloria
Bohemian Belle - Regency customer commissions and custom-dyed accessories plus a bit of everything - beautiful work and run by the lovely Julia in Europe
Sign of the Gray Horse - wide variety of lovely jewelry & accessories from Kim Walters and supporting rescue horses
LadyDetalle - and of course, my shop (*smile*), historic jewelry & accessories with a mission of supporting Historic Design & Detail - I'm having so much FUN with my historic jewelry line, including The Grape Collection, Royal You, Royal Bees, Victorian chandeliers & mourning, a huge variety in PEARLS, rhinestones, and so much more! I'm wearing my jewelry designs daily and so inspired by all the lovely antique examples and portraits/fashion plates to keep designing more! (I also sell ready-made reticules, portrait muffs, LD original patterns, some supplies and vintage sari & dupatta)
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| 1-BohemianBelle, 2-VeryVictorianStudio, 3-RegencyTea, 4-Garibalid'sNeedleWorks, 5-LadyDetalle, 6-RoyalVintage |
Sewing patterns, fabric and supplies:
Truly Victorian - Victorian patterns that are easy to follow, go together well, and Heather is helpful and responsive if you hit a snag and have a question
96th district fabric - my go-to for coutil, and also wool, silk and silk ribbons - they are on my "must" list at Fort Frederick Market Fair every year
Burnley & Trowbridge - my go-to for my well-stocked basics like twill tape (white, black, etc. in mulitple sizes), wax, and linen thread, in addition to wool and silk fabrics, and a handkerchief line that is droolworthy
FabricMartFabrics - keep an eye out for their amazing silk deals from time to time, where you can pick up stripes, plaids and checked silk taffeta for $8-12 a yard
Fabric-Store - my go-to for linen fabric, their selection of colors is impressive and their quality is great
SilkyWay - I've been purchasing silk ribbons from this supplier for years: quality, affordable and Anna is great to work with.
TheSewingPlace- my go-to for Petersham ribbon: huge variety in widths and colors
Embroidery:
RSN - worthy of a mention: their mission is to keep traditional embroidery techniques alive, and they offer multiple certificate and day courses across the globe, and also have a great gift shop and online store
Garibaldis Needle Works - great source for goldwork supplies, especially their gold passing (they source it from the UK)
Sew Stine - this shop is taking a long break but Christine's machine embroidery digitizing is amazing and she's super great too
Romantic Recollections - Hand and machine embroidery designs from the lovely Denise
Vintage and Antique:
Very Victorian Studio - amazing deals on antique and vintage finds and also stocks some handmade historical hats, reticules, etc. (I carry reticules and sashes from Very Victorian in Lady Detalle) - Linda is super nice and responsive and is a long-time historical costumer herself
Southern Lady Estates - great finds at great deal prices and very responsive and helpful
Totally worth a mention:
I also love these businesses for their outlook, dedication to historical accuracy AND fun, and how they provide encouragement to folks to join in our fun community!
Historical Sewing - Jennifer makes it her mission to help others with sewing and creating their visions: she is so encouraging and super nice to boot!
TheDreamstress - I love her patterns and designs, and her Historical Sew Forthnightly/Monthly is spot on with encouraging folks to research and create: she's also a huge sweetheart!
If you're looking for a little girl's princess dress or awesome hard-to-find Harry Potter fabric, check out Lady Rebecca Fashions on Etsy
Also worth a mention, two small businesses that I haven't personally purchased from yet, but whom I love seeing their lovely creations (and plan to purchase in future):
Virgils Fine Goods - her tiny hand-rolled silk and linen hems on her Colonial and Georgian caps are lovely, all handmade by the lovely Amber
Shocking Bad Hats - gorgeous designs by Rebecca, each one is truly a treat for the eye! Some day I won't be able to control my drool...lol
And lastly, my favorite item this holiday season:
Royal Vintage - this is my first purchase from the retro side of American Duchess, but I'm in love with the comfort and style of these Retro Aspen Winter boots in red - I just wish they were on sale!
And of course, I love to drink TEA while I sew! This is my tea brand, Regency Tea, visit for customer favorites Cream Earl Grey or Sticky Toffee Pudding!
This is definitely by no-means an all-inclusive list, but I hope that by sharing some of my favorites shops and sources with you, you'll get some new places to check to fill your historic costuming needs, or purchase a great gift for the historical costumer in your life!
I hope you enjoyed reading and Happy Holidays all!
Love,
TheLady Detalle
