Your Opinions needed on Supplies!

[sewbiwan]

I am thinking of opening a store for re-enactment groups and recreationists.
i.e. Civil War, French & Indian War, Renaissance Fairs and other Fantasy, Medieval History(SCA).

1) Do you feel that your local fabric store is meeting your needs? Y/N

1a) If NO Please indicate what else could be done to meet your needs i.e. goods and services



2) What extra items do you need that are not carried commonly due to import problems or just not stocked because of low demand?

I appreciate all help as I would love to design the store to meet all needs locally and also via catalog.

I myself and an experienced medieval recreationist. circa Pensic War 7

I am also a professional seamstress. I am now in school for Interior and Landscape design as well and intend on carrying heritage plants and herbs.

Thanks you very much,

Lady Khirrin
aka Linda Scott

contact via e-mail

[johan_steele]

1. No
A. More period fabrics including correct weight wool, cottons & various period prints.

2. Socks & civilian shirts... my wife would chime in to add appropriate metal boning for her corsets.

Take a look at several websites to see what is offered. I would suggest concentrating on Ladies gear & civilian gear as there just aren't that many good vendors out there. Also post your request over on Authentic Campaigner, those are the people you'll be selling most to and also those are the most discriminating of re-enactors. Some would say anal, I know I am to a degree.

Good 100% period correct socks, good period civilian shirts and other items that would be present in any dry goods store just aren't out there in a s good a variety as I'd like.

Helpful hint... don't brag on the SCA to many ACW re-enactors... SCA events are a whole different critter than Progressive/Authentic Campaigner re-enacting.

Good Luck w/ your business endeavor.

(Message edited by johan_steele on March 13, 2004)

[blue_zouave]

LOL, no, Jo-Ann Fabrics just doesn't meet my needs. However, a store catering to dress-up folks of any kind would quickly go out of business here in the wilds of Idaho. I have to mail-order everything I need.

As for my biggest wish... buttons. Period correct buttons for civilian use.

And I second keeping the SCA stuff under wraps when you're talking to Civil War reenactors, ESPECIALLY the "progressive and authentic" ones.

Zou

[gary]

I can still get linen for my needs.