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Online Fabric Stores

Started by PrincessSara, May 16, 2008, 08:52:54 PM

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PrincessSara

I thought it might be a good idea to have a listing of online fabric stores for those looking for specialty fabrics or those without a fabric store in their area.  When you're posting a link, also give a bit of a description of what FaireWear fabrics they offer so everyone can find what they want quickly.  I'll start:

Renaissance Fabrics
www.renaissancefabrics.net
Gorgeous silk, wool, linen, cotton, and velvet, as well as notions, trims, patterns, books, buttons, and Duran Textiles.  Reasonable to good prices.

Class Act Fabrics
http://www.classactfabrics.com/index.html
Lovely silk, wool, linen, and cotton, as well as corset stays.  Stock is always changing, so check back often.  Most of the prices are good.

eBest Fabrics
http://www.ebestfabric.com/index.php
Slubless silk dupioni.  Prices are reasonable.

Silk Connection
http://www.silkconnection.com/
Wide variety of nice silks including a reasonably priced bridal satin.  (Note that the satin is difficult to gather or pleat along the vertical grain, but extremely easy to do so along the selvage edge.  It's really lovely stuff though.)  Order their swatch pack for samples of all their fabrics, it's very helpful.  Mostly good prices.

And it never hurts to try eBay.  I've found some nice fabrics there in the past for very good prices.  Searching eBay stores gives you more results to your query.

Athena

#1
Fabric.com

http://www.fabric.com/

They've got a bit of everything, and are super affordable. I really like the selections in home decor (lovely tapestries and jacquards) and silk dupioni. They run sales on a regular basis and charge $2.95 for your first order.
A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. ~ Chinese Proverb

FaireMare

Most Excellent Thread!  HUZZAH!

gem

#3
Hamilton Dry Goods/Period Fabric
www.hamiltondrygoods.com
Good stock of wool (particularly non-specific tartans), heavy canvas, cotton osnaburg, and linen.  Wool page on website is wonky.  I advise calling, as Ron knows the stock inside and out.  They ship fast.  Prices are good to ridiculous.

Burnley & Trowbridge
www.burnleyandtrowbridge.com
Linen tapes, worsteds, woollens, linens.  Prices are reasonable to high.

Fabrics Store.com
www.fabrics-store.com
Every kind and color of linen under the sun.  They also stock limited other natural fabrics.  Periodic sales.  Free swatching.  Prices are good to great. 


Baroness Doune

#4
Big Daddy's Gypsy Caravan
http://www.bigdaddygypsy.com/
Especially notable for the ecclesiastical or vestment brocades, but also carries linen, wool, silk, trims, etc.  Quick shipping and excellent customer service.

Burnley and Trowbridge
http://www.burnleyandtrowbridge.com/
I need to add this to what Gem said.  There is only a limited selection of fabric available on the website.  Order the swatch kit for $4.00 to see the complete selection of fabrics available.  Some of the fabrics I have not seen for sale anywhere else and the fabrics meet the requirements of the most discerning reenactor.  I especially recommend the handkerchief linen and the linen canvas.  Excellent customer service - Angela is a joy to work with.

Eastern Christian Supply Company
http://www.easternchristiansupply.biz/
Ecclesiastical or vestment brocades.  Ignore the ones with obvious Christian motifs.  Some trims also.  Do search for FABRICS (for fabrics), GALLOON (for trims.)

FabricGuru.com
http://www.fabricguru.com/cart/index.php
Upholstery and drapery fabric suitable for garb.

HouseFabric.com
http://www.housefabric.com/defaultproduct.asp
Upholstery and drapery fabric suitable for garb.  Especially note the variety of colors available of the Waverly Capulet which is a 100% cotton tone-on-tone damask.  Prices are better than fabrics on the custom order racks of fabrics at Joanns even when Joanns is running a 50% off sale.

Istok Enterprises, Inc.
http://www.istok.net/
Ecclesiastical or vestment brocades.  Ignore the ones with obvious Christian motifs.  Some trims also - look under CHURCH SEWING ITEMS in the sidebar for those.

Silk Baron
http://www.silkbaron.com/silk/colors.aspx
Gem turned me on to this company.  Gem - that Stirwaters Blue is calling to you... 
Silk!  Over 130 colors of silk dupioni.  I have the complete swatch collection.  Yummy colors that I hadn't been able to find since Denver Fabrics was purchased by Fashion Fabrics Club.  Those that are familiar with the hand of REAL period silk velvet say that the silk velvet sold by Silk Baron is as close as you will ever find these days to the real thing.  Also silk taffeta.  The shipping of swatches is a little slow but the fabric ships super quick.  Excellent customer service. 

SyFabrics.com
http://www.syfabrics.com/
I have only purchased cotton velvet from this company and I was very happy with my purchase.  Definitely ask for a swatch before purchasing as I know of one instance where someone got really burned.

gem

Mare, how 'bout a sticky on this one? :D

CapnFayeCutler

Slack'n Penny -  Chieftess, Clan Byrne of the IPB
IFRP# 1264 IWG #3575
RoOL 26 | Castleteer | ETTE

LadyOren

For Fantastic Trim selection at wonderful prices try:

http://www.continentalstitcherytrims.com/

For Garment Leather, Furs,

http://www.brettunsvillage.com/
When I'm gone look for me beneath your boots, for I have returned to the ground from which I came.   Walt Whitman

verymerryseamstress

Buttons, trims, plastic boning by the spool (if you use cable ties, this stuff is even LESS expensive and comparable), frogs, lacing cord, etc: www.cheeptrims.com

Nice fabrics:  http://www.housefabric.com

grommets (I've been buying my grommets from these folks for years and they are such nice people - look under "crafts"):  http://www.wpswholesale.com/

I just found these guys a couple of days ago, and they only sell wholesale, so there are minimum ordering requirements, but they have a HUGE selection of buttons, clasps and other nifty items I want to explore further:  http://www.buttonconnection.com/catalog/catalog.html
I'm your very merry seamstress.  How may I help you?

isabelladangelo

Definitely Fabric.com

http://www.denverfabrics.com ->They just switched over last year to new management.  I haven't bought under the new management but it looks like it's just Fashion Fabrics Club.

http://www.jandofabrics.com/ -> Beautiful fabrics and even better customer service.  They are a bit $$, so I tend to go to Fabric.com and then come here.

http://www.ebay.com ->You might want to look at one of the guides on how to search prior to searching for fabric items.  There are a lot of good tips in the reviews and guides.

http://www.homesew.com ->  They are more for trims and things but also a good place to look.

gem

Thought it was a good time for a bump on this one!

Sabrina Black

I'm going to start working on making myself a cloak in a couple months.  For the inside lining, a friend suggested using a very soft, plushie/furry type fabric, because it's very warm.  Can anyone tell me where I might find it or something similar online?  I've looked in local fabric stores and can't find it.  I think the actual material is polyester.  Thanks!
Wench-in-training

ladyharrogate

Quote from: Sabrina Black on May 14, 2009, 01:41:21 PM
I'm going to start working on making myself a cloak in a couple months.  For the inside lining, a friend suggested using a very soft, plushie/furry type fabric, because it's very warm.  Can anyone tell me where I might find it or something similar online?  I've looked in local fabric stores and can't find it.  I think the actual material is polyester.  Thanks!
Quote from: Sabrina Black on May 14, 2009, 01:41:21 PM
I'm going to start working on making myself a cloak in a couple months.  For the inside lining, a friend suggested using a very soft, plushie/furry type fabric, because it's very warm.  Can anyone tell me where I might find it or something similar online?  I've looked in local fabric stores and can't find it.  I think the actual material is polyester.  Thanks!

if you haven't found fabric yet you might try www.maryjos.com  a fabric store based out of Gastonia NC.  She carries everything from bridal fabrics to cotton quilting materials.  I think the fabric your referring to is fleece.  You can purchase that at Mary Jos or also look in your local box store like Walmart in the blanket section.  I've made cloaks and the like out of those blankets, even made a saddle pad for a jouster out of one.  It's sometimes cheaper to buy it that way then to buy by the yard.

PrincessSara

I've just found a new one:

Bangkok Thai Silk
http://www.bangkokthaisilk.com
125 colours of silk taffeta at excellent prices.

Pascal

Fleece does make a really nice looking cloak -- the only problem is that it'll be stretchy.  Be sure you'll be okay with this.  It'll also get really soggy and heavy if it rains -- fleece takes some time to dry out.

If you're concerned about warmth, then it's hard to beat wool.  Look for a good sale and it won't be too pricey (but still more than fleece).   Wool will keep you warm, plus it's pretty good at shedding water.

One source to consider is surplus army blankets.  You can dye these -- or find a gray, black, or brown one that's good as is.  The olive-green isn't too bad -- but be sure it doesn't have a large visible "US ARMY" stamped on it.

The blankets are typically 60 inches by 80 inches.  You can join two to build a full-size half-circle (plus have a lot left over) ... or, you can make a "Lord of the Rings" style cloak from a single blanket (I can post a picture if you'd like).

Best if you can find these at a local Army Surplus store -- they're cheap, but the shipping (if you have to order one) can run as much as the cost of the blanket.

stonethrow

Hey,

This place is getting started.  If you are local to Richmond, VA it would be easier to drive there.  IT is well worth a trip for $5 silk and $3 shorts.  I've brought entire male outfits (silk and other) for under $20 (and I'm an extra large).  Here is the info.  Yesterday he estimated about 4000 yards of remnants

www.ufabstore.com

The store is not changing locations; they are simply taking over the entire space in their building and will still be conveniently located just steps from Carytown at 106 S. Robinson Street.   With the additional 3,000 SF of retail space U-Fab will triple the size of their $2.99/yd remnant room and triple their inventory of silk, drapery and upholstery fabrics, most of which run less than $9.99/yd.  In addition to home décor fabrics U-Fab will also introduce products for quilting, crafting and apparel fabric. U-Fab also has a full service upholstery shop which offers customers the option to either re-cover their existing furniture or design original furniture pieces.

iain robb

Quote from: Pascal on July 14, 2009, 03:12:52 PM
Fleece does make a really nice looking cloak -- the only problem is that it'll be stretchy.  Be sure you'll be okay with this.  It'll also get really soggy and heavy if it rains -- fleece takes some time to dry out.

Not to hijack the thread, but Nikwax makes a product called Polar Proof that is a wash-in waterproofing for fleece. I have some that I'm going to use soon on the fleece Inverness capes I made for my wife and I, now that I've completed hers. So while I don't have personal experience with it (yet), I have been pleased with other Nikwax products for cleaning and waterproofing boots.

Kate XXXXXX

I've been using Polar Proof for years.  It's great for making light showers roll off the fleece, but unless you have a laminated fleece with a decent wind/water resistant layer in the middle, it's never going to be waterproof.  It isn't intended to make fleece waterproof, after all...

iain robb

Yes, my mistake. Water-resistant is the correct term. Sorry about that.

gem

This site was new to me, but recommended by the folks on Pattern Review: Belraf Fabrics  Looks like some unusual pieces at fairly decent prices. Free swatching.

Butch

I found a site that was posted here THREE YEARS AGO!  FabricGuru.com Got two 3+ yard remnants at $9.98 each, and shipping was less than $5 flat rate.  Check them out!

LadyeA

I hope it is appropriate to post here just as a heads up- I am a source for specialty fabrics and will soon be online.  I have an LLC and have imported a few fabrics, I plan to have a website under construction within a few weeks. 

I have some exceptionally rare handwoven silk brocades, with very luminous and shiny designs worked in metal threads that won't discolor.  They are just stunning when worn out in the sunshine!  I do a lot of research on medieval and renaissance motifs to choose appropriate designs.  Retail prices will range from $35-$65 a meter, and minimum order of 1 meter. 

I can get custom designs, such as recreations of brocade seen in a portrait, with a minimum order of 30 meters. 

I have some limited quantities now, and can get new designs over the rest of summer and fall.  Handwoven silk adds another layer of authenticity to your garb.  I am so excited about the fabrics I've found! 

The future website will be www.decosadesign.com   Send me a message if you would like to receive photos of the designs I have in stock.

Syrilla

Can't wait to see your website and stock!

Rowan MacD

  I'm looking for a solid color, royal blue, cotton or cotton blend mid-weight fabric for the next garb project, which will be another MA dress/bodice.
   What do you ladies recommend? twill, poly blend?   I cant' find anything at Joannes or Hancocks' so far...
What doesn't kill me-had better run.
IWG wench #3139 
19.7% FaireFolk pure-80.3% FaireFolk corrupt

Orphena

Luxurious Lady ~ Statuesque Seamstress ~ Winsome Wayfarer
Enjoyer of Elegant Elizabethan Ensembles

isabelladangelo

Fabrics Fashion Club - FFC- is the same one that owns Denver Fabrics (bought them out years ago.  2008, maybe?) and a couple other online fabric stores.  It's hit and miss with them.  If you don't care about fabric content, it's fine.  If you do, don't buy.  Ever.   They (Denver Fabrics - basically, FFC bought the domain name) are the ones that told me the fabric I was buying was 100% pure wool.  It turned out to not even have wool in it in one of the fabrics I bought.  The other might have some wool but it's hardly 100%. 

I know of other similar stories.  Linen that was actually rayon, the wrong color being sent, ect.  Stick to Fabric.com, fabricguru, and the other not FFC owned fabric stores.

a6ate

I bookmarked some of the stores. I have to make a time to browse those this weekend.