Sew Your Own Horse Show Clothing

Rhinestones & Bling Sources

• Henderson's Western Store - rhinestones and blank show garments to decorate yourself
• Mr Stones
• Rhinestone Guy
• The Snap Source - pearl snaps and snap parts

Sewing Patterns Western Riding

Patterns to make tops, vests, jackets, horsemanship shirts, pants and chaps.

• Show Clothes Unlimited - patterns for Western and English, youth and adult
• Suitability - chaps, jackets, pants, and current show ring fashion patterns

Lycra Stretch Fabric

Stretch lycra/spandex fabrics preferred for sewing slinky tops, horsemanship shirts, and horse "sleazies". A variety of weights, solids, and patterns are available.

• Emma One Sock
• Spandex House - the go-to place for fashion lycra/spandex by the yard
• Spandex World - hundreds and hundreds of spandex fabrics

Imitation Suede Fabrics

Often referred to as "Ultrasuede" (manufactured by Toray), faux suede comes in a variety of weights, colors, and quality. Heavier faux suede is preferred for making chaps, while lighter weights can be used for garments and decorative trim appliques.

• FabricGuru - lowest prices on UltraSuede and Sensuede
• Fashion Fabrics Club - a changing selection of discount priced, high quality faux suedes and microfibers sold by the yard
• Field's Fabrics - great selection and pricing on many styles of authentic Ultrasuede

Sewing Patterns English Riding

Patterns to make hunt, dressage, and saddle seat apparel including coats, breeches, jods, and shirts.

• Show Clothes Unlimited - carries Suitability brand patterns for dressage coats, jods, saddle seat suits
• Walker's Western Wear of Arizona - carries Lola Gentry patterns for dressage and flared breeches, jods, hunt and shadbelly coats

Real Leather for Sewing

Pigskin, lambskin, suedes, splits, and garment leather hides suitable for making chaps, vests, and decorative trim pieces.

• D'Anton Leather - fancy metallic leathers and finer hides for chaps and trim
• Leather Impact - metallic finishes, pearlized, faux prints, and fancy embossed skins
• Tandy Leather - smooth garment leathers, splits, fancy embossed and faux prints available

Sewing Web Sites & How-Tos

Learn basic sewing and alterations techniques online.

• Behind The Seams - clothing and craft projects, often with several detailed photos
• Erica Bunker DIY STyle
• Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing - a new twist to established sewing techniques
• New Vintage Lady - great sewing techniques for any era, focus on plus-size fitting and sewing
• Stitches and Seams
• Threads Magazine - garment construction techniques and the latest from the sewing community
• We Sew Retro - vintage pattern remakes with fitting and tailoring tips
• ZipZip's Vintage Sewing - vintage pattern interpretations and sewing techniques

Specialty Sewing

• Buckaroo Bobbins - award-winning selection of reinactment, Victorian, and old west patterns, plus Victorian carpet bag reproductions
• Denver Fabrics Costume Patterns - a good selection of all types of historical patterns from various pattern makers
• Folkwear Frontier Patterns - riding skirts, shirts, prairie styles, frock coats, and a whole lot more...
• Laughing Moon Mercantile - authentic period patterns for Western, Civil War, Edwardian and Victorian wear
• Lola Gentry Originals - vintage-inspired Western patterns, including side saddle and Spanish
• Mrs. Depew Vintage
• Past Patterns - historically accurate patterns from the 1700's to the 1940's
• Reconstructing History - new patterns of vintage equestrian styles
• Truly Victorian - men's and women's Victorian era clothing, including bustles and corsets

Imitation Leather Fabrics

Faux leather is often labeled as vinyl, naugahyde, stretch vinyl, Pleather, Ultraleather, and PVC. Determine whether the faux leather you choose is the right weight, has the right backing material (if any), and whether it will be suitable for garment construction and/or decorative trim. Always request swatches, if available!

• Fabric Mart Fabrics - a changing selection of garment weight "Pleathers"
• Fabrics and Home - higher priced, but good selection of animal print and embossed upholstery and garment weight vinyls
• Gary's Upholstery - faux leather vinyls, may be suitable for overlays and trim
• MJ Trends - great selection of PVC fabric and garment weight vinyl fabrics
• MacPhee Workshop - browse SPECIALTY FABRICS for value-priced leather alternatives (Canada)

Western Wear Staples

Need it fast? Want it now? These high quality manufacturers specialize in fashionable western show apparel.

• Custom Chaps by Beth - custom made to measure chaps in Ultrasuede
• Hobby Horse Clothing Co. - beautiful chaps, pants, shirts, vests, jackets, slinkys