First set and I need some help please.

[Irelandraven]

If you aren't going for H/A, the ebay one is fine.  It's loosely based off a popular 19th c design and is very modern.   Pretty, but modern.  So watch out for that. 

Not the split sleeve chemise.  It's poly cotton for one thing which is not going to be fun in the heat.  A chemise is VERY simple to make and look right if you want to go that route.

Try for something more like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Medieval-Celtic-Tudor-SCA-Chemise-Gown-Renaissance-NEW_W0QQitemZ150381513877QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item23036fcc95

or a bodice shaped more like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Renaissance-Elizabethan-Corset-Gown-Dress-Costume_W0QQitemZ300359943163QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45eed903fb

Again, assuming you still want to go H/A ish.

Okay, poly blend is bad, you are very right on that.

HA is going to be hard, its going to be expensive so I am going to go with not so authentic sadly. When I first started out looking I was all for fantasy then I swayed away because everything looked so bloody hot. Then I went the pirate wench route and its what I keep coming back to.

I found the other link http://cgi.ebay.com/RENAISSANCE-DRESS-CORSET-COSTUME-PIRATE-GOWN-WENCH_W0QQitemZ220499495855QQcategoryZ125473QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3907.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D12%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54

[Celtic_Fae]

If you aren't going for H/A, the ebay one is fine.  It's loosely based off a popular 19th c design and is very modern.   Pretty, but modern.  So watch out for that. 

Not the split sleeve chemise.  It's poly cotton for one thing which is not going to be fun in the heat.  A chemise is VERY simple to make and look right if you want to go that route.

Try for something more like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Medieval-Celtic-Tudor-SCA-Chemise-Gown-Renaissance-NEW_W0QQitemZ150381513877QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item23036fcc95

or a bodice shaped more like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Renaissance-Elizabethan-Corset-Gown-Dress-Costume_W0QQitemZ300359943163QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45eed903fb

Again, assuming you still want to go H/A ish.

Okay, poly blend is bad, you are very right on that.

HA is going to be hard, its going to be expensive so I am going to go with not so authentic sadly. When I first started out looking I was all for fantasy then I swayed away because everything looked so bloody hot. Then I went the pirate wench route and its what I keep coming back to.

I found the other link http://cgi.ebay.com/RENAISSANCE-DRESS-CORSET-COSTUME-PIRATE-GOWN-WENCH_W0QQitemZ220499495855QQcategoryZ125473QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3907.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D12%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54

Make sure you pay attention to the EBay sellers' ratings if buying off there. This one only had a 97%. Check their reviews. See just what warranted a lower rating.

[Irelandraven]

I saw that as well and checked it out, it was shipping disputes on promised by ship dates.

Thanks for the heads up!

[Rani Zemirah]

Don't buy from Alter Ego, on eBay or anywhere else!!!  They've recently lost any claim to responsible business practice they've ever had any claim to, and I'm having to spend even more money to fix what they screwed up, because I don't have time before TRF to return and replace what I bought from them...

[gem]

Here's a thought.  What fair are you going to?  Most of my garb that I didn't make myself I bought locally, from merchants at fair.  You might wait until you get there, and see if you fall in love with anything on site.  If you know your fair, someone here can probably tell you which merchants will be out there, so you can get a sneak peek to their garb online.

[isabelladangelo]

Okay, poly blend is bad, you are very right on that.

HA is going to be hard, its going to be expensive so I am going to go with not so authentic sadly. When I first started out looking I was all for fantasy then I swayed away because everything looked so bloody hot. Then I went the pirate wench route and its what I keep coming back to.

You do pay for H/A because, normally, the clothing that is H/A holds up well.  It's done by people that have done a ton of research, actually studied the extant garments, and then learned how to make their own patterns to recreate what they saw.  They use quality materials and know how to sew.   All the time and effort will cost a pretty penny but it will be very worth it if you plan on wearing your outfit every weekend in the summer or fall for the next three to five years.   You can get a LOT of mileage out of one gown.

The reason most of us are telling you to shy away from the ebay auctions is that a lot of it is, well, junk. (not that there isn't some good stuff in there, there is!  It's just very hard to find) They don't finish the seems right or the bodice isn't boned or it won't hold you right or it's made out of lesser quality materials.  I can't tell you how disappointed I was when I ordered the GORGEOUS purple and green satin Elizabethan gown off of ebay many many years ago, only to find it wasn't satin -it was a cheap poly lining material.  I paid way too much money for something that was, essentially, a garbage bag.  After that, I really got into sewing all my own garb and haven't turned back since. 

So, what I would do, is save your money and get something you truly love and not just something that is "eh, that looks cool".  You'll be much happier in the long run with something of quality and not getting a cheap plastic bag in the shape of a dress.

[sealion]

I own the desree ebay ensemble in navy. (It was my first garb purchase before I started sewing my own things.) It is flattering and comfortable. It is not a historically accurate design but neither is 90% of the other stuff out there.
I've never owned an Odd Bodkin bodice but have seen many posts praising them. Again, not histically accurate coming down over the hips.
I would never pay that much for a poly-cotton chemise! While linen is my first choice 100% cotton muslin wil be much more comfortable than any polyester blend. Another thing I've noticed with a poly cotton shirt purchased for hubby before I knew better: the poly-coton shirt is showing definite pit stains while the cotton and cotton-linen shirts aren't.
As for Very Merry Seamstress- let's just say that I was less than impressed with the fit and workmanship of my "custom" garb purchased from her.

[serenamoonsilver]

The second two outfits you linked to at Pearson's look a lot like the work of Lori Ann.  I've never bought from her, but her stuff looks very nice and reasonably priced.  Here's a link to her etsy shop and a link to her website..

[Celtic_Fae]

I can't say as to Very Merry Seamstress's pirate/other work, but the work they've done on my cotehardies has been AMAZING. They fit perfectly. Just make sure you get accurate measurements.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

My cloak from Very Merry Seamstress is incredible!  And after 8 or 9 years (maybe more), it still looks brand new.  I am allergic to wool, and Heather worked with me to line the cloak and then put velvet around anywhere that the wool could touch me.  I recommend her highly.

Sorry you had a bad experience DC, but I hope you contacted her, as she would put it right before you could blink your eye.  She has a great reputation and works hard to keep it, so I know she would want to know if you are not satisfied.

[FortuneRose]

My cloak from Very Merry Seamstress is incredible!  And after 8 or 9 years (maybe more), it still looks brand new.  I am allergic to wool, and Heather worked with me to line the cloak and then put velvet around anywhere that the wool could touch me.  I recommend her highly.

Sorry you had a bad experience DC, but I hope you contacted her, as she would put it right before you could blink your eye.  She has a great reputation and works hard to keep it, so I know she would want to know if you are not satisfied.

[/b]
I agree...  I've ordered from her multiple times and I have loved each and every piece.  I have 4 bodices from her, 4-5 skirts, bracers, cloak, a chemise, bloomers, custom courtesan ensamble, a maternity bodice + nursing bodice vest, etc. from her.  She has always been great with any questions I had, responds quickly to her emails, works with you to get what you want, if it is something she can't get her hands on, she will let you know the options she *is* able to find similar to original request, etc.  I adore Heather and her work.  I've always highly recommended her to anyone who asks where to get good quality, fair priced garb. 

[verymerryseamstress]

As for Very Merry Seamstress- let's just say that I was less than impressed with the fit and workmanship of my "custom" garb purchased from her.

Sealion, I'm very sorry to hear that you were less than impressed with the fit and workmanship of your items.  I did respond to your initial concerns immediately, and was very happy to make the adjustments that you requested.  If you were still unhappy, I wish you would have given me the opportunity to work with you to correct any further problems - I guarantee every garment I make, and if you were still not satisfied, all you had to do was email me privately and I would have been more than happy to work with you.  I never heard from you after you contacted me initially, so I assumed that the problems had been solved.  If not, all you had to do was contact me and I would have been more than happy to continue to work with you until you were happy.

While I firmly believe that people absolutely have the right to discuss the reputations of garb manufacturers in this forum, I think it's unfair to complain about a seller if you have not given them every opportunity to make you happy.   If you've tried to contact a company and they've blown you off, or have refused to help you, then yes, complain.  But if you have not given the seller every opportunity to help you, I don't feel it's fair to complain about them in a public forum.

I want my customers to be happy, always.   I never ignore emails, and if there's a problem, you can bet that I will immediately respond to it - you just have to email me about it.  If you don't tell me, I have no way of fixing the problem.

Sealion, had I known that you were still unhappy, I would have bent over backwards help you - however, you never told me of any further problems.  If you had, I would have absolutely continued to work with you until you were thoroughly pleased with your purchase.  In fact, the offer still stands: If I recall correctly, you purchased a hunting frock bodice and a corset bodice.  If you email me privately,  I will make you an entirely new frock bodice and an entirely new corset bodice for free.  I take customer service *very* seriously.  If you had notified me,  I would have worked endlessly to find a way to make you happy.  I will still do so if you will allow me to.  I don't ever want to have unhappy customers and I'm deeply saddened that you are still unhappy. 

As for me - I'm human - I don't mass-produce my garments, so human error is possible and bound to happen now and again - but these errors are never intentional and I would never leave a customer hanging if I have made a mistake.  I will always work tirelessly to find a solution if I have made an error -  whether the solution is a refund, a repair, an alteration or by making an entirely new garment, I will always be available to discuss it via private email. 

Sealion, again, I'm terribly sorry that you were not pleased, and I would still, very much like to work with you to find a solution that will make you happy.   

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I have your back, Heather!!

I do concur with Heather, that we do bend over backwards to correct anything we make for clients. People spend good money with us and they DESERVE to have the BEST we can do. Be that fabrics and trims, workmanship, fit, uniqueness of design, durability, etc.

[Taffy Saltwater]

Odd Bodkins makes - & I believe originated - the same bodice as in the red ensemble.  I'd certainly go w/her as her bodices are famed far & wide their quality.

[Jessi]

Lady Kathleen, having seen your work all over this site, if I wanted to go noble I would definately want you to do my garb.

VeryMerrySeamstress, with a guarantee like that I have just bookmarked you under my favorites.