Materials

So, now you know which outfit you want, and what size you'll need. But what colours do you want it to be? And what fabric? This page will help you. I've listed here the most commonly-used fabrics, and what they'd typically be used for. Also helpful for determining the "look" of your outfit is my colour advice page. You can click on any sample for a larger view.

Velveteens:

This is lovely, slightly textured fabric, with the feel of velvet but much lighter. Great for hobbits and Renaissance wenches.

Satins:

I love satins! The one I use most is Crepe-Backed Satin (which has less of a 'shiny' look to it, so it's great for historical projects):

Chiffons:

The most popular chiffon is a polyester chiffon georgette. It is very soft and flowing, but it is translucent, so gowns made of this must be lined.

Another chiffon is 8mm Silk Chiffon. It is very soft, drapes well, and is washable. It is less translucent than polyester chiffon georgette. It comes in a variety of colours; however, I am listing only the ones I feel have a historical feel to them. Turquoise and lime green just aren't historical colours.