The Costume Resource
Whether you're just starting out or you've been sewing for years, having the right resources makes all the difference.
Some of the links below are affiliate links. At the moment, most are through Amazon because it's the most accessible starting point while we build out this resource. As the Costume Calendar grows, our dream is to feature more small businesses and independent makers too. Every purchase made through these links helps keep the site running and supports future content. Thank you for being part of this creative little corner of the internet.
General
The Art of Manipulating Fabric
by Colette Wolff
A comprehensive encyclopedia of fabric manipulation, Colette Wolff’s The Art of Manipulating Fabric explores hundreds of techniques such as pleating, gathering, quilting, and shirring, with detailed diagrams and photos that reveal the limitless sculptural potential of cloth.
Fabric Manipulation: 150 Creative Sewing Techniques
by Ruth Singer
Ruth Singer’s Fabric Manipulation presents a modern take on textile sculpting with 150 techniques including pleating, smocking, trapunto, and appliqué, featuring step-by-step instructions, full-color diagrams, and creative project ideas for sewists of all levels.
Smocking Secrets: 20 Stitch Patterns to Create Unforgettable Texture; Cosplay, Garment, Home Dec & More
by Maggie Hofmann
Award-winning costume designer Maggie Hofmann teaches 20 smocking techniques for creating textured, dimensional, and historically inspired cosplay designs, helping you craft custom fabric details and elevate your costumes with professional flair.
The Cosplay Book of Ballgowns: Create the Masterpiece of Your Dreams!
By Kelley Kullman, Regan Cerato
Led by world champion cosplayers Cowbutt Crunchies, this comprehensive guide shows you how to design, pattern, and sew breathtaking cosplay ballgowns, from corsets and hoops to trims and finishing touches.
Cosplay Foundations: Your Guide to Constructing Bodysuits, Corsets, Hoop Skirts, Petticoats & More
By Casey Welsch
A detailed and photo-rich guide by award-winning cosplayer Casey Welsch, this book teaches you to craft custom corsets, hoops, and other foundation garments that perfect your fit, enhance your costumes, and make them last.
18th Century
18th-Century Fashion in Detail
by Susan North
Showcasing the Victoria and Albert Museum’s rare eighteenth-century garments, Fashion in Detail: 1700–1780 offers an intimate view of the craftsmanship behind fine clothing through stunning close-up photography, detailed drawings, and insightful commentary.
The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking: How to Hand Sew Georgian Gowns and Wear Them With Style
by Lauren Stowell, Abby Cox
A practical and inspiring guide to 18th-century fashion, this book walks you through creating four iconic gown styles with the same techniques used by historical dressmakers.
19th Century
19th-Century Fashion in Detail
by Lucy Johnston, Marion Kite, Helen Persson
Drawing from the Victoria and Albert Museum’s renowned collection, Fashion in Detail: 1800–1900 reveals the artistry of nineteenth-century dress through vivid photography, precise line drawings, and expert commentary on every stitch, pleat, and embellishment.
Authentic Victorian Dressmaking Techniques
by Kristina Harris
Originally published by Butterick in 1905, Dressmaking, Up to Date offers detailed instructions on pattern alteration, garment construction, and vintage techniques, making it an essential resource for historical costumers and sewing enthusiasts alike.
Victorian and Edwardian Fashion: A Photographic Survey (Dover Fashion and Costumes)
by Alison Gernsheim
Alison Gernsheim’s Victorian and Edwardian Fashion: A Photographic Survey presents over 200 authentic period photographs with expert commentary, offering a richly detailed visual history of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century style through the lens of its original wearers and photographers.
Victorian Fashions and Costumes from Harper's Bazar, 1867-1898 (Dover Fashion and Costumes)
by Stella Blum
Featuring the finest engravings from Harper’s Bazar between 1867 and 1898, this volume captures three decades of evolving Victorian fashion, from bustles to hourglass silhouettes, offering a vivid window into the elegance and artistry of the era.
Victorian Fashions: A Pictorial Archive, 965 Illustrations (Dover Pictorial Archive)
by Carol Belanger Grafton
A visual treasure of over 900 Victorian fashion illustrations, this collection showcases evolving styles from 1850 to 1900 with exquisite detail, offering an invaluable reference for artists, designers, and costume historians alike.
Regency
Dress in the Age of Jane Austen: Regency Fashion
by Hilary Davidson
Hilary Davidson’s Dress in the Age of Jane Austen offers a richly illustrated exploration of Regency fashion and society, blending historical insight with Austen’s own writings to illuminate how clothing reflected identity, class, and change in the early nineteenth century.
A Guide to Regency Dress: from Corsets and Breeches to Bonnets and Muslins
by Hilary Davidson
Drawing on two decades of research, Hilary Davidson’s A Guide to Regency Dress offers an engaging and comprehensive look at the clothing, accessories, and aesthetics of the early nineteenth century, making it an essential reference for Austen-era enthusiasts and costumers.
1900s & Beyond
Everyday Fashions, 1909-1920, As Pictured in Sears Catalogs (Dover Fashion and Costumes)
by JoAnne Olian
Featuring hundreds of original Sears catalog illustrations from 1909 to 1920, JoAnne Olian’s Everyday Fashions of the Twentieth Century offers an authentic look at early ready-to-wear clothing, capturing the evolving styles of men, women, and children in a changing America.
Turn-of-the-Century Fashion Patterns and Tailoring Techniques
by S.S. Gordon with Introduction by Kristina Harris
First published in 1901, The Cutter’s Practical Guide to the Cutting of Ladies’ Garments offers over 60 detailed patterns and instructions for period tailoring, making it an invaluable resource for costumers, historians, and vintage sewing enthusiasts.