fabric

[Dragostae]

Imzy

[Atropa Belladonna]

Spandex is a no-no for everyone. I know it may seem odd, but I've seen people make garb out of spandex or high-spandex mixes. They're really hard to work with and hot to wear. Polyester's easy to work with but really unpleasent for outdoor events--and how many indoor events do you go to? Check bolts for words like "flammable" if you're the cozy-up-near-a-fire type. I like jacquard, linins, and silks. A lof of upholstry or home-dec fabrics are excellent for garb, especially court garb and later-period offerings. Make sure if you use home-dec fabric it doesn't have a weather sealant on it (the back will be plastic or feel waxy). If it does, it'll 100% prevent the garment from breathing, and make it really nasty when you sweat (and you will).

Never underestimate the usefulness of 100% cotton. It's a bit too stiff for some garments, but it's great for most basic items.

Edit:

Also amazingly useful are thrift stores. Sheets and curtains can be bought very cheaply to make, for example, a $3 egyptian cotton chemise (which can be bought for upwards of $40).

Hee. I have to agree there. I have a lovely red cotton velvet Italian Ren gown.... made from a bedspread my mom pickedup at a thrift store for a dollar. =)

And don't forget garage sales. I picked up easily over six yards of white cotton (in other words, great chemise fabric) for a buck.

It's even sixty inch, too.

Can you say toga? razz  

[Hyratel Dragon]

*chanting* TOGA, TOGA!

But seriously, for a simple t-tunic, 4-corner fold the fabric, and cut a straight sleeve, widely flared armpit, and a moderately flared body. depending on the length, it is good for a guy or a lady, and if the fabric is narrow, add cuffs of contrasting color, same farbic, and if you want to get slightly fancy, add a neck-facing of the second color, and maybe some narrow trim. If the colors are picked well, it can look remarkably good. Another option: contrasting hem.  

[KonstantinJ]

Bigfoot TI

*chanting* TOGA, TOGA!

But seriously, for a simple t-tunic, 4-corner fold the fabric, and cut a straight sleeve, widely flared armpit, and a moderately flared body. depending on the length, it is good for a guy or a lady, and if the fabric is narrow, add cuffs of contrasting color, same farbic, and if you want to get slightly fancy, add a neck-facing of the second color, and maybe some narrow trim. If the colors are picked well, it can look remarkably good. Another option: contrasting hem.

a lady made some tunics like that with the contrasting hems and collar...it looked really good. the fabric of the tunic was a light blue and the hems and collar was a dark blue...very tasteful  

[Dragostae]

Bigfoot TI

*chanting* TOGA, TOGA!

But seriously, for a simple t-tunic, 4-corner fold the fabric, and cut a straight sleeve, widely flared armpit, and a moderately flared body. depending on the length, it is good for a guy or a lady, and if the fabric is narrow, add cuffs of contrasting color, same farbic, and if you want to get slightly fancy, add a neck-facing of the second color, and maybe some narrow trim. If the colors are picked well, it can look remarkably good. Another option: contrasting hem.

Agreed.

Trim is a beautiful touch, and dresses up any fabric.  

[Felix OFlyn]

Um... I just whent to walmart and bout some cheap crap ^.^  

[Imzy]

Rial k**e

Um... I just whent to walmart and bout some cheap crap ^.^

Hey, we all gotta start somewhere. Don't feel bad. smile I buy most of my fabric there.  

[Arithrel]

IKEA is a great place for fairly cheap linen. smile You can't always find it in colours that could even remotely be considered period, but I have a lovely periwinkle norse underdress made from IKEA linen. Sooo comfy smile

Most of my gowns are cotton. Hooray for wash-n-wear! I also have a couple that are linen and/or wool. I also have one that is made of silk-it was also my prom dress. Sadly I don't get to wear it much...definetly an indoor events only dress.  

[Felix OFlyn]

Imzy

Rial k**e

Um... I just whent to walmart and bout some cheap crap ^.^

Hey, we all gotta start somewhere. Don't feel bad. smile I buy most of my fabric there.

Its cheap and it works ^.^  

[[Atropa Belladonna]]

Dammask

No prints! Heavens forbid! Also, as mentioned beforem nothing synthetic. Also, try to hide things like zippers, or ... dare I say it? ... velcro! try to use buttons or lacing ... also, many garments were made of pioeced material - they simply didn't have yards and yards of fabric 60 inches wide ... not unless they were exceptionally wealthy.

Just my two cents. Hope it helps. Good luck.

No prints? That's madness! It's finiding period patterned fabric that's important. Strawberry Shortcake printed quilter's cotton? Bad choice. Cool flowery brocade? Heaven-sent.  

[[Atropa Belladonna]]

Rial k**e

Um... I just whent to walmart and bout some cheap crap ^.^

Try sheets and curtains at secondhand stores. You'd be suprised at what you can find. I have some friends who make full-length egyptian cotton chemises at $1 a piece for materials.  

[Felix OFlyn]

[Atropa Belladonna]

Rial k**e

Um... I just whent to walmart and bout some cheap crap ^.^

Try sheets and curtains at secondhand stores. You'd be suprised at what you can find. I have some friends who make full-length egyptian cotton chemises at $1 a piece for materials.

I have freinds who travle a lot who have done simmilar things. But I'm to poor to travle alot and there aren't any secnd hand stores here.  

[[Atropa Belladonna]]

Rial k**e

[Atropa Belladonna]

Rial k**e

Um... I just whent to walmart and bout some cheap crap ^.^

Try sheets and curtains at secondhand stores. You'd be suprised at what you can find. I have some friends who make full-length egyptian cotton chemises at $1 a piece for materials.

I have freinds who travle a lot who have done simmilar things. But I'm to poor to travle alot and there aren't any secnd hand stores here.

There are places without the Salvation Army? Where do you live?  

[Felix OFlyn]

[Atropa Belladonna]

Rial k**e

[Atropa Belladonna]

Rial k**e

Um... I just whent to walmart and bout some cheap crap ^.^

Try sheets and curtains at secondhand stores. You'd be suprised at what you can find. I have some friends who make full-length egyptian cotton chemises at $1 a piece for materials.

I have freinds who travle a lot who have done simmilar things. But I'm to poor to travle alot and there aren't any secnd hand stores here.

There are places without the Salvation Army? Where do you live?

I samll town in wasington about 20 miles from Canada