Hey all! I thought I would share some tips about how to select BIFL items while seeking clothes, sheets, blankets etc.. I am a historical reenactor, so my knowledge of fiber and fiber content comes from a historical context. This is what I look for for the longevity of my historical garb, and also when selecting modern clothes and items.
So without further adieu:
Wool, linen, and silk are your best friends! These are all sturdy and long lasting fabrics that age well with good care.
Look for high content fabric. These fabrics are usually quite expensive by themselves, but blends are a little cheaper. 60% is good, 80% is better.
Second hand stores are a good place to find cheap linen and wool items. These are BIFL items, so vintage clothes in good condition will still last you decades.
Linen appears to be having a moment in fashion right now. Target is currently carrying linen/cotton blend AND full linen sheets. These items are pricey but worth it. Linen only gets softer with time, and personally I love the feel of it. Even Walmart is carrying high content linen clothing. Obviously I dont recommend Wal Mart for anything, but this means there's likely to be linen elsewhere as well.
Pendleton sells high quality wool products. They occasionally turn up on fb marketplace, or if you're in the Pacific Northwest you can roadtrip to Woodburn and get discount reject items for much cheaper than buying new.
If you're interested in Silk, and comfortable making your own items or just need decoration, try finding a source for vintage Saris. Usually 7 yards of fabric for a reasonable price. Again, secondhand is your friend here.
I hope this was helpful for you! Please let me know if you want to see more like this in the future.
Submitted September 14, 2020 at 09:54PM by Scarfington https://ift.tt/32tGaob
