Never before have I gotten so excited over the array of goodies to feast your eyes on; these catalogs contain plenty for the do-it-yourselfers out there and fans of authentic Victoriana. Their general catalog contains books for historical fashion research as well as witty Victorian-style tidbits, sewing supplies, corset kits (containing everything you need to build your own, if you are feeling adventurous), accessories to complete your period look (such as petticoats, hats, and parasols) and many more enticing goodies within its 94 pages. New, updated catalogs are printed sporadically (I have the 14th year edition.)

Their Past Pattern catalog contains clothing for men, women and children from the Renaissance Era to the 1940’s. The patterns carried come from various designers and range from novice sewing level to more complex (without instructions) for professional seamstresses. Remember, most women making their own clothes in the 19th century were not neccessarily pros either, so if you are trying out a pattern, construct it from muslin first. Then splurge on a luxurious fabric. The catalog indicates the difficulty of the pattern and sometimes also states how much fabric is needed. If you are in doubt, Amazon Drygoods has a “questions and consultations” number at 563-322-4138.

The general catalog costs $2 and the pattern catalog costs $5 plus postage. They also offer a shoe catalog for various styles of period shoes and a window treatment catalog for those of you interested in home decoration. Their service is quite good and fairly quick. Here’s how you can reach them:

Amazon Drygoods
411 Brady Street
Davenport, IA 52801-1518
For Questions: 563-322-4138
For Orders: 800-798-7979 (For the U.S. and Canada)

Nothing beats the satisfaction that comes with an “I made this” outfit... unless you have the means to have someone make clothing for you! Either way, you can rest assured you’ll have a very unique piece.