Costuming is expensive

[mala_14]

I'm trying to figure out all the stuff I'll need for my next few projects and, man, trying to buy it and ship it home is pricey! I understand that it'll cost more for specialty things like buckram and busks that I can't get here. But, for the most part, all I want is basic stuff like white cottons for petticoats and crinolines and for some reason the local huge chain store doesn't really carry it. So frustrating. Who knew it could be so difficult to just get some plain white cotton for a good price? No wonder I'm always fabric shopping when I'm in the States. 

Comments

[missmalexander.livejournal.com]

Is there anything I can get out here for you and ship it over (as a "gift" so you don't have to pay customs)? It might help mitigate some of the costs.

[jubilima.livejournal.com]

Yes, I was going to offer the same!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the offer! But for some reason just any shipping in Canada and between Canada and the US is ridiculous, so it's not really the customs.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks for the offer. But it's really just the shipping that is crazy expensive. Customs only gets charged sometimes. I think I just need to take a trip to Grand Forks in the coming year to stock up on plain white cotton.

[mrs_maupin]

Our store here carries white cotton voile... about a bolt per year. If you come at the right time, they'll tell you they carry it regularly, and you can have some. Too late in the year, and it's gone like it never existed (and no one remembers ever having it). Very annoying when you've done your chemise and rawers and don't have enough left for the matching corset cover.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

lol I think this might be what our fabric store is like. I did find some white voile in the bargain section, but it had a stain through the bolt and it wasn't nearly enough left.

[fleurdelysa.livejournal.com]

THIS! International shipping, plus customs tax, plus low Canadian dollar = UGH. It's one reason I am firmly focused on de-stashing, except for the precious treasures I picked up my last trip to NYC. ;)

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

I know! It's crazy. I have lots of pretty things in the stash that I want to use, but I need the white fabric for underthings in order to use up the stash. :p Oooh New York seems like a wonderful place for fabric shopping!

[fleurdelysa.livejournal.com]

I plan on ordering cotton mull from this Canadian company. Their prices look good and the descriptions of the white fabrics look knowledgable. Do you already know about them? http://www.maiwa.com/home/supply/yardage/index.html

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Oooh thanks for the tip! I hadn't heard of them. Looks good!

[fleurdelysa.livejournal.com]

You bet! :)

[koshka-the-cat.livejournal.com]

White cotton is surprisingly hard to find! I always seem to end up ordering it online.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Same! I love Dharma Trading for this. But when I made up a shopping cart of the amounts I need, the shipping doubled from what I usually pay, which is already rather high. Which is when I came online here to whine. ;p

[fancyfrocks.livejournal.com]

I've bought white sheets at thrift stores for petticoats! You can get remarkably good cotton sateen for cheap that way :)

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Oooh good tip. Thanks! Honestly, I think even brand-new sheets would be cheaper than shipping from the States right now.

[fancyfrocks.livejournal.com]

And seriously, it IS expensive. I was just adding up how much supplies would be to make a hoop and it was like $80! For something. Might only wear once a year. So annoying!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

lol I'm also looking at making a hoop. Pricey stuff!

[sadievale.livejournal.com]

Yes, this!! I don't have the Canada shipping issue, but this IS a really expensive hobby!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Yup! It's the multiple yards that really start to add up, I think. Not only in terms of petticoats, but also things like linings.

[the-aristocat.livejournal.com]

I hear you. One of the reasons I'm concentrating on UFO's at the moment.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Good plan!

[starlightmasque.livejournal.com]

So many $$$$$ flying out the door with our hobby! I hope you were able to find a good deal!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

I've just put it on hold for now. White cotton won't actually be necessary for several months.