How am I supposed to iron my clothes with no power ?

I am obsessed with Gymboree. I dream about their clothes. I dream about designing their clothes. Alas, I cannot afford their clothes, so I decided to look into Ebay and wow, there are some great deals out there. If you know what to do, you can dress your own kids for free.

What I have learned that has helped me:

1. Know your lines. The most popular lines are the ones that came out the season before. Some of the older lines do well, but they have to be special. If you want good resale, you need to buy Like New, EUC from highly rated sellers, and take care of the clothes. Wash in cold water and air dry. Gymboree should never see the inside of a dryer! Be careful in buying reds and blues as they seem to get faded and that will diminish the resale value. I have had some great pieces in these colors and some disappointments. Just ask the seller before bidding if fading isn't mentioned.

2. The most popular sale time seems to fluctuate, but between 6-8 pm is always a good bet (except Fri and Sat). This means the best selection with the best items are up for bid, but it also means you will pay top dollar. Weekends and Friday nights seem a bit slower so you might have less people to compete with. Sunday night is a good night.

3. Watch your items in MyEbay! If you are bidding on something really popular, check the store listings. I have seen items go for more in auctions than BuyItNow in stores. Look around.

4. Don't waste your time looking for hidden auctions. Everyone does this and the items still sell well. If you are paying top dollar on Ebay, that means you will get top dollar when you resale on Ebay.

5. Set up favorite searches with the sort being newly listed so you can click on that and check out the new items. You can then watch these in MyEbay.

6. Set up a search for newly listed Buy It Now. Some of the best deals are found this way. You have to check it often as they go quickly.

7. Don't be afraid to ask the seller to lower shipping. Most of the time they will work with you. If you decide to sell, use the lowest shipping method you can as this always gets more bids. People are concerned with the total cost of the items and shipping is always a factor.

8. Work the sales at Gymboree. You can sign up for e-mail info at Gymbohaven.com and you will get notice of when the sales are coming up. Never pay more than 50% for a Gymboree resale item. 70% off is best. If it's a really hot item (Rocky Mountain Pony Top), you might get full retail, but that's rare and you have to know what will be hot. Many accessories do well, selling at full retail value or more.

Be nice, be honest, have fun, and most of all, take care of those Gymboree clothes. They are a great way to dress your child in high quality, high resale value clothes!

I know I have more to say, but that's all for now. I will do another guide soon with more tips. I just got a ton of inventory I need to list!

Well I guess I shud at least put sum clothes on nah dat I kno he

Between the Renaissance Faires, the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), LARP (Live Action Role Playing), various Civil War re-enactments, and the costume cons, the demand for historical clothing is on the rise. The question most people ask when looking for "garb" or historical clothing is what will be right for me.

First, are you doing a "historical" re-creation or are you into "fantastical" role playing? The differences can easily be blurred depending on how much time and effort you want to put into your character or persona.

For fantastical role playing, almost anything goes depending on your group. Lord of the Rings outfits are very popular right now and work well for various characters. Most people tend towards using what I call historical materials with modern cuts. Live Action groups tend to have the ideal clothing as being medieval or renaissancish. They aren't exactly what was worn during those time periods, but have the "feel" of those time periods.

For ladies, Fantastical characters can go from looking like Arwen from Lord of the Rings to Gwenavier from King Arthur to wearing a bodice with 3/4 sleeved puffy shirt and a circle skirt with a lacy handkerchief skirt over it. It's really what ever you want!

For gentlemen, Fantastical characters can look like any of the male characters from Lord of the Rings to a Roman Soldier to wearing nothing more than a tunic and a belt. Again, it's whatever you want.

For the historical recreations or re-enactments, it really depends on how strict the group is. Some groups want everything done exactly as in their specific period, down to hand sewing the clothing! This tends to only be true for the hard core American Civil War and Rev War re-enactors.

SCA: The SCA is a bit more strict than your local renn faire or LARP. You cannot go walking around like Xena for the most part. Most people either attempt to buy or make their own historical clothing. According to the SCA website, the time period they are re-creating is between 900-1600. This is a HUGE amount of time and gives you a lot of leeway in what you can wear. There is a somewhat unspoken "10 foot" rule in the SCA; if you can't tell it's not period from 10 feet, it's okay.

900-1200: Early Middle Ages. This tends to be the "layers" period. Ladies wore long tunics with shorter over tunics. Men tend to wear the shorter tunics. This of course varies by geographic area and by specific time. There are plenty of other types of garb that can be worn from this period, like the Viking Apron dress.

1200-1400: Late Middle Ages and start of the Gothic period. The cotehardi and hoppeland both show up in this time. The flamboyant hats that most people associate with the middles ages and the surcoats (gates of hell) show up around this time as well. Basically, when you think "medieval" this is typically what most people picture.

1400-1500: Renaissance. Although some may argue with the dates (these are just approximent!) this was about the time of the start of the Italian Renaissance. Towards the end of this time is when the underbust dresses made popular by the movie Ever After appear. The farthengale(hoop skirt) makes it's first appearance in the 1480's in Spain which makes the skirts "puff" out. The gowns themselves tend to have more shape to them and fashion changes quickly.

Men's outfits get shorter during this period. This is about the time that the velvet doublets start to make their appearance.

1550-1550: Tudor. Think Henry the VIII and Anne Boylen. You have the fur coats, the jerkins and doublets (tight fitting vests), tons of embroidery, velvet gowns and wonderful jewelry.

1550-1600: Elizabethan. Ruffs, lace, and amazing amounts of silks. The fatheringale goes from a conical shape to the wheel shape towards the end. Partlets are popular towards the start and end of the period. Starch is discovered! Men wore peascod bellys which were, essentially, fake beer bellies and codpieces.

Revolutionary War Reenactments: Rev War Reenactments tend to be more strict in their dress code than the SCA. Whereas the SCA has the "10 feet" rule, the Rev War doesn't. There is some leeway still however. I have yet to hear of anyone getting upset about the use of metal or cable ties as boning in a corset or gown. I have heard of some scary stories about the buttonholes looking a certain way, but I'm not sure about those.

1770-1790: Again, approximate dates for the clothing. This was a HUGE transition period in clothing. You can get away with anything from the full Panniers to the more simple later Empire styles. For men, you'll most likely be required to wear a uniform of some sort. The pants tend to be mid calf with buttons. The shirts are simple with buttons at the wrist most of the time. For more formal occasions, men might add a waistcoat and a frock coat.

Civil War Reenactments: These are by far the most well known reenactments. Some groups within this era are strict. Very very strict. However, not all are. Most just want "close enough" to the period clothing. There have been many confirmed reports of "stitch counters". Stitch counters are people who will actually count the amount of stitches in a buttonhole and demand it be corrected if the stitches are off by even one. Oh yes, these people exist. I've seen them lurking and ready to pounce their poor victims. They are the fashion police of the reenactment world.

Ladies: Gone with the wind is fine but more "humble" clothing is probably better. Plaids are great and calicos are normally pretty safe for patterned fabrics in gowns.

Gentlemen: Uniforms! Wool coats! Scarves! Pants were very tailored and yes, like that episode in CSI:, men did sometimes wear corsets.

You shouldn't have taken off your clothes... no one likes thaaat."

Other Guides Include:

The Clothing Seller's Guide to Fabric Patterns and Prints - Florals, Paisleys and Figurals

The Clothing Seller’s Guide to Fabric Patterns and Prints - Menswear Patterns

The Clothing Seller’s Guide to Fabric Patterns and Prints - Stripes

Madras

Madras is a lightweight cotton fabric that originated in Madras, India. True madras is designed to bleed every time it is washed, so the colors blend together in a soft mix. The fabric is typically plaid. Modern madras is any fabric printed in the traditional madras plaid but does not bleed.

The first sample is a modern madras printed in the traditional plaid, but does not bleed. The second sample is "guaranteed to bleed" – as it says on the label.

Windowpane Check

Windowpane check consists of a solid background and a large grid formed by intersecting vertical and horizontal lines.

Gingham

True gingham is a smooth, cotton fabric with alternating stripes of white and a single color running both horizontally and vertically to form checks. While only two colors are used in the fabric, where the solid color stripes overlap one another a third, darker, color is formed. Ginghams originated in India and were exported to England and America. In the 19th century, any cotton fabric with checks, plaids, or stripes was called a gingham, but today it is only the characteristic check pattern described above. The scale can range from a small to very large prints.

The second gingham sample also has a floral printed on top of the gingham.

Buffalo Plaid

A plaid with large checks of two different colors, especially red and black, but also blue and black or green and black.

Tartan

A tartan is a specific woven pattern that often signifies a particular Scottish clan in the modern era. The pattern is made with alternating bands of colored threads woven as both warp and weft at right angles to each other. The resulting blocks of color repeat vertically and horizontally in a distinctive pattern of squares and lines.

The first sample is "bias" cut (cut at a 45-degree angle) so the pattern looks more like diamonds than squares.

Argyle

The term argyle comes from Clan Campbell of (former) County Argyle in Scotland. Their traditional family tartan consisted of a multicolored diamond pattern on a solid background.

Don't u just hate when tailors ruin your clothes esp on eid and weddings?

ere are some helpful hints to know if you are getting a bargain.

You know the saying.. "You get what you paid for".

This doesn't have to be true.

Ask, ask, ask away any questions you have.

1- If you are allergic to pets. Ask the seller if the item comes from a pet free home or not.

* Not all sellers write this as they either do not know that is important or they rush the description and some even hide the fact that they do have pets or simply do not find in necessary to add to the listing. So ask!

2- Ask for more pictures. And dark lighting in pictures can be hiding some minor to major flaws of the clothing.

* Everyone should be able to send you additional pictures per your request. Get picky. Do you wonder if that is a spot on the camera lens or damage to the clothing. Get very specific. Any good seller will be happy to provide you with any additional information you need. If not, stay away!!! What seller doesn't want a sale??

3- What is that spot?

*Some camera lenses have spots on them that may the clothing look bad or damaged. Just ask for another picture.

4- Confirm the size, measurements, etc. so you get what you want.

* Make sure the listing description matches the selling category as a clue;-)

5- Add in shipping & handling fees if applicable to the cost of the item.

*Is this shirt for example really worth this amount (item price + shipping).

*If the buyer claims they offer discounted shipping, make sure you know all the details so you don't end up stocking up your shopping cart for say and then getting ripped off at the check out process.

6- Remember!! Cotton shrinks!

* What size an item used to be to what it is now can be two different sizes. Sure, when it was bought new, it was a size medium for example. But the seller forgot to mention it was their favorite shirt and they wore it everyday and it got washed alot. So then you end up with a size small shirt!

* Ask the seller how often it was worn. Also check out the pictures, the description, the seller's feedback, etc.

7- Beware of some so called new with tag items, aka "nwt".

*Many people can get their hands on a tag gun. They may keep the tags, wear the item and when they get ready to sell it, they get out the ol' tag gun.

8- Beware of used bathing suits, used lingerie, bra's, panties, etc.

*This is simply a hygeine issue. I don't think I have to say much here:-O Even if it is not allowed, I betcha someone out there is selling something used claiming it is new. Go for the items that are packaged if applicable.

9- Athletes foot?

*How bad do you want those shoes? We have no idea of the other person's personal details. Think "new" on this one;)

10- Smoke Free Home?

*Just ask! Prevent bad feedback for yourself and the seller.

*Everyone does everything differently like I said above about the pet issue. Some may not find this to be valuable information to include.

Simply, be a pest. But you will end up with a bargain at the end and avoid nasty transactions and a box full of useless s

Now available in the shop Sunshine Polish clothes to shine up your sterling silver jewelry!

Just about everywhere you go these days, you see people wearing jeans that look like they've been through the wringer and back again. Retailing under the names of Destroyed & Damaged, places like Abercrombie & Fitch are making a fortune selling items that your Grandmother would have ready for the rag bag or in the sewing basket to repair.

Fortunately, there are ways to "Destroy" jeans from home that are very cost effective. And contrary to most people's beliefs, bleach is not the only way to go.

Although bleaching seems like the most obvious way to "Damage" a pair of jeans, it has a lot of downfalls.

Bleach is very messy and leaves very little control. Do you want them bleached in only a certain area? How bout on one side only? What if you want to lose some color but don't want big white splotches? If that is the case, then forget the bleach and opt for the Cascade...

Yep, you heard me right, the dishwashing detergent. No, not the powdered kind but the liquid.

Advantages of using liquid dishwashing detergent:

1.) You have control over where it goes.

2.) You have control over the intensity of the bleaching.

3.) You can make designs with the color - or should I say lack of color.

4.) It doesn't eat away the fabric as bad as bleach will.

Say you have a pair of jeans that you want the butt to be more worn looking than the rest. Pour some bleach on there and see how many washes it takes to have no butt at all. You wanted a whiter butt but not no butt right???

BLEACH EATS FABRICS!!!!

How to destroy your own jeans using liquid dishwashing detergent?

1.) Lay jeans flat on a nonporous surface with a plastic garbage bag underneath.

2.) Squirt the dishwashing detergent on the fabric in the desired areas.

3.) Want a design? Leave it as you squirt it and let it work on it's own!

4.) Don't want a design?? Rub it with your hands but DO NOT rub it in so much that it absorbs into the fabric.

5.) Let it sit for 1-2 hours then turn the jeans over and repeat the process.

6.) Launder in HOT WATER, with double the liquid fabric softener on your washer's "STAIN" or "HEAVY" cycle.

7.) Tumble dry.

8.) Take the dry jeans and use a seam ripper to stab holes into the desired areas. If you're having problems piercing the fabric, then use a pair of manicure scissors to make tiny insertions then use the seam ripper to pull at the fabric to make the destroyed look.

Now you can go one step further, if you want your jeans to have that brownish weathered tinge to them, you may opt to do the following.

1.) Brew two pots of EXTREMELY STRONG coffee.

2.) Put your jeans in a bucket and then pour the coffee on top of them. Make sure the fabric is completely soaked.

3.) Let them sit ONE-TWO days.

4.) Launder in COLD WATER and tumble dry.

Easier than you thought right?

But there are some words to the wise....

1.) DO NOT use any dishwashing detergent that has a yellow tint to it. You will have YELLOW bleach spots. It's not that attractive...:) My cheap sister bought the bargain brand and I ruined 2 pairs...I could have strangled her!

2.) Try to make as little mess as possible while bleaching. Liquid dishwashing detergent turns hard as it dries and does not like to come off of ANYTHING.

3.) Don't get any on the clothes that you are wearing. It will bleach them too.

4.) DO NOT wash the jeans with anything else besides white items such as socks. I like to throw my socks and T-Shirts into the load after I am done bleaching. It gets the stains out of my white clothing plus adds more texture to the load as it washes to help damage the items further.

Write a guide Childrens Boutique Designers Groups

As a designer and seamstress of childrens boutique wear it has come to my attention that many buyers are unaware of the Boutique Community on eBay which is centered around childrens fashion. For any lover of quality handmade items this community offers unique and one-of-a-kind fashions and accessories for children at often affordable prices.

Boutique Designer Groups... eBay provides the opportunity for sellers of like items to group together for discussion and collaboration. While linking to auctions is prohibited eBay does offer a cross promotion feature. This tool allows the buyer to view boutique items which are many times designed to compliment one another and afford the opportunity to purchase clothing and accessories of the same quality offered by designers who work together and can provide like colors, styles, etc. These groups often use nicknames or initials in their titles to assist in the buyers search. ie... thejills is a nickname for a group of designers known as Jack*N*Jill Boutique Designers. This allows the buyer to search "thejills" and all of the auctions for this group of designers will show up in the search. When viewing these listings the buyer can oftentimes see cross promotions offering matching items and wardrobe pieces specifically designed to compliment each other. Most of these groups are comprised of sellers which specialize in clothing, jewelry, hair fashions, and even decorative designs. They are planned to bring a wide variety of complementary items to the buyer.

Competition... the competition is stiff among boutique designers. This is a great benefit to the buyer. While groups generally are comprised of experienced designers who have established a reputation, there are also designers who are new to eBay that offer beautiful designs and quality work. Their auctions, most times, do not bring the same ending bids as established designers with higher feedback numbers. This is not to say that their items are of a lower quality. If you are lucky enough to find an experienced seamstress who is new to ebay you can acquire high quality fashions at very affordable prices. If you are not willing to take the chance on a new designer you may pay a little more for a design from an established designer. However, the childrens boutique community offers some of the most beautiful and unique childrens clothing I have ever seen.

Identifying quality... eBay offers several ways to protect the boutique buyer and insure that a quality item is received. Check feedback! See what other buyers have to say about the designer and if they are happy with their purchases. Read the "About Me" page! Most designers are proud of how long they have been designing and love to show off previous designs and pictures of their work. Ask questions! ASQ offers buyers the opprotunity to ask the designer questions directly. And designers love to provide measurements and details about the quality of their work. Questions indicate interest and the opportunity to 'sell' the item. Is the designer a member of a selling group? Most of the selling groups are by invitation. If a designer has been invited and is part of a group there is a good likelihood that they are respected by their peers and this will represent quality.

Look for terms which indicate experience! Most boutique designers adhere to a certain standard. Serged seams are a boutique standard. They require a specialty sewing machine and insure that a garment will withstand the wear and tear of children. If a designer does not indicate that they use a serger ask if the seams are finished. Alternate methods of finishing seams include straight and zigzag combination or french seams. Experienced designers will prewash fabrics prior to construction. This is very important when purchasing appliqued and handpainted garments. Prewashing insures that garments will not shrink when laundered or applique stitching become buckled. You will also insure a minimum loss of paint on handpainted items as the fabric sizing has already been laundered out. If you have any allergies be sure to check for smoke and pet free studios. Most boutique designers work out of their homes and you will want to insure that you don't purchase something that will be offensive to you upon delivery.

Custom Listings... many boutique designers offer their designs on a custom basis. This allows the buyer to purchase a design in a required size within specified limits. If the time frame for construction is not indicated be sure to ask the designer when you can expect delivery prior to bidding. If you need a custom outfit for a particular occasion sooner than the designer can create it you may be disappointed. The positive aspect is that the design is custom by nature. It is created specifically to your childs measurements and the buyer can often add or delete design elements. Custom listings are usually presented beautifully and models are used to assist the buyer in 'seeing' the finished garment.

I sincerely hope this short guide will assist you in your search for beautiful handmade childrens garments and accessories on eBay. The childrens boutique community is a special place filled with magic and things that children love. You will delight at the beautiful fabrics, trims and creative ideas which are utilized by this group of very talented sellers. For gift giving or for your own little ones there is no limit to the creativity and quality which is offered. Enjoy!

We've recently cleaned out all the closets in the house and have a MOUND of clothes that we need to get rid of. We thought about garage sales, but pe

Whether you're a buyer or a seller of vintage clothing, you've probably come across plenty of items that don't have a care label or fiber content label. Sometimes the previous owner removed the labels, or perhaps there never was a label. Garment manufacturers in the USA were not required to disclose the fabric content of their products before the passage of the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act on March 3, 1960. Whatever the reason, having a "mystery fabric" on your hands can make things tricky if you'd like to save money by caring for the garment at home (very gently!) rather than sending it to the dry cleaners. It can also leave eBay vintage sellers in doubt as to how to describe and price garments in their listings--is all wool or a wool blend?, for example. That can make a big difference. Often a fabric's identity is obvious from the look and feel, but sometimes we have to dig deeper.

We've found several scientific tests for identifying common fabrics and share them with you here. Tests of this type were routinely taught to girls in home economics classes in the 1950s and 1960s, so they're simple tests that you can do at home. We've tried these tests and they work. Just be sure to observe common-sense safety practices, especially for the burn test and the alkali test!

THREAD TEST. Look at the insides of the seams, where the thread ends stick out, using a magnifying glass if possible. If you can, pull out a piece of thread that's long enough to break, and break it. The way a broken thread looks will tell you a lot:

- Cotton threads break easily and have uneven fuzzy ends.

- Linen threads snap when broken and the ends are pointed and uneven.

- Wool fibers have curly ends when broken.

- Silk yarn has uneven ends when broken.

BURN TEST. For this you'll need to cut off a tiny piece of fabric. If there's a generous seam allowance in the garment, snip off a piece there. Place the piece of fabric on a clean fireproof surface or hold it over the clean fireproof surface with tweezers or forceps. Wear eye protection. Put a flame to the fabric. The way it burns will tell you a lot:

- Cotton burns with a flash, leaves a gray ash and smells of burning paper.

- Linen burns with a yellow flame, leaves a light ash and also smells of burning paper.

- Wool burns slowly, smoldering, bubbling and giving off an odor of burning hair.

- Silk burns differently depending on its finish. Pure dye silk burns rapidly, curling into a crisp black ball, and doesn't really give off an odor. Weighted silk gets hot, smolders slowly and usually retains its shape.

- Rayon, being made of cellulose from trees, burns similarly to the vegetable fibers. It burns quickly with a flash, leaving a small amount of gray ash and smelling of burning paper.

- Acetate and most other synthetics will burn with a plastic odor, curling into a hard black lump. If you don't touch the flame to the fabric but hold it very close, it will melt.

ALKALI TEST. Once again, you'll need a snippet of fabric as well as eye protection, a clean heatproof and chemical-proof container (such as a saucepan), protective gloves and some household lye. Observe the precautions on the container of lye when you handle it. Make a solution of one tablespoon lye and two cups of water. Boil the piece of fabric in the solution for 10 minutes.

- Cotton and linen are both unharmed by alkali.

- Wool dissolves in alkali. A wool-cotton blend put in an alkali solution will partially dissolve, leaving the cotton fibers.

- Silk will dissolve in alkali.

- Rayon is undamaged by alkali.

Wish ppl stop judging ppl on da clothes or name brands they wear

We've recently cleaned out all the closets in the house and have a MOUND of clothes that we need to get rid of. We thought about garage sales, but people that shop garage sales tend to want to only give a quarter for a $80 pair of jeans! So, we've done some research and realized eBay is the way to go.

When selling good clothes on eBay, you should list them RIGHT BEFORE back to school shopping starts!! THIS MAKES THE HITS GO CRAZY!

Also..when listing...be sure to take pictures of each outfit you are selling..if you have a mannequin..USE IT..if you don't...BUY ONE!! They're cheap and really do help the sales! If there are ANY flaws in the clothing..BE SURE TO LIST IT!! ( A picture taken of the flawed area is even better!) This ensures that the buyer will not file, saying you didn't tell them it was flawed. BE PRECISE and list EVERYTHING YOU POSSIBLY CAN ABOUT EACH ITEM! It sound's silly, but it's very true....make sure you've laundered all the clothing...i know..sounds silly, but you'd be surprised what some people ship out of their homes!!!

IF buying clothing...make sure that you can see the ENTIRE outfit...if there is a part of the outfit that is covered, or convinently cut out of the picture..ask for close ups of each outfit...some sellers try to hide ugly flaws.

Ebay is a great way to do your back to school shopping...just be careful...ALWAYS check sellers and buyers feedback before getting envolved in a transaction with them....

1940's Style Guide: Clothing and Fashion for Women:

What to wear and where to shop for 1940s clothing. Includes ...

Hey ladies! Can anyone recommend a good deodorant that works but doesn't leave annoying white residue on clothing? I'm going shopping today!

2010 New Men's ski Jacket+Pants snowboard Clothing

I wish that people dress properly when they decide to hike in . They are still wearing jeans and other cotton clothing in the rain

We go live at 11am with the new clothing

YOUR money could keep a child from dying of starvation, it could provide shelter and clothing, it could give them life. and YOU reap reward.

doesn't leave annoying white residue on clothing?

Can anyone recommend a good deodorant that works but doesn't leave annoying white residue on clothing? I'm going shopping today!

Shop Gia Bella Children's Boutique for the best in children's clothing!

Just been to a York feminist network meeting. Interesting conversations about lap dancing clubs and children's clothing

Who's this grown man in children's clothing?

I can't walk into a children's clothing store. I want to buy everything! I don't even have kids.

Packing will consist of stuffing all clothing into garbage bags....

Why is it, when I go to bed, I wake up with either an article of clothing across the room, or my whole body feeling like I got run over?

DIETS DON'T WORK! How To Eat More and Lose Weight!

Team fundraising, custom sportswear, BE THE GAME Clothing line! All makes a difference to kids in sport with our BE THE GAME Programs!

what's the scientific law that means cream clothing attracts red pickle?

'm trying really hard to stay far far away from clothing stores right now! I'm not good at rolling on a budget.

I have on a sweatshirt

I have on a sweatshirt, which is more clothing than I've worn outdoors since about May. I feel demure.

How to Look Great In 1980s Vintage Clothing by Jadore Vintage

make sure you pop into End Clothing for some clobber before you go to London, you'll only be able to get Ed Hardy down there!

Best ladies bathing suits and beach clothing with heavy discount price

$20 to Spend on Children's Clothing + Accessories at Columbia's Greenberries for only $10!

ThredUP Children’s Clothing Sale | First Box FREE!

Experience: Be honest to the customer about your experience. Tell them how long you have been sewing. How you learned, show off handi-work from your past, anything that made you the sewer that you are today. Again, you are selling a service here so do your best to convince potential customers that you really do know what you are doing. Consider it your online resume. If you have an ebay store, included with your subscription is the ability to create custom pages, why not use these to show off your work?

Pictures: When ebay first started it was rather difficult to obtain digital images for the auctions, now, there is no excuse not to have lots of good, clear images in your postings. If you are selling an item that you don't have one already made in order to photograph it, make sure you have a good clear drawing or diagram in order to show the customer what they will get. It is best to have pictures of the fabrics as well. Ebay charges per photo, but if you use a template or write html code you can post lots and lots of pictures without the extra cost. There are a couple of sites out there that offer free templates and photo hosting. It is worth the time to find them and learn how to use them.

Tips for saving money on fancy children's clothing

This guide shows the general, simplistic differences between eras of clothing so you can make an accurate "guesstimating" of ladies clothing your grandmother wore. So, when you discover that special piece in the attic and wish to sell it on eBay you can confidently use this guide to help you make an accurate decision on the date, which is very important to collectors. Stating, "I don't know anything about clothing..." drives the price of your clothing auction substantially downward. It pays to know more about the clothing you are selling!

This guide has been a lifetime in the creating. As early as I can recall, I’ve been fascinated with history. Beginning at age thirteen, I’ve collected antique clothing, shoes and accessories, plus Victorian costumes to wear to costumed events...

Most authentic old gowns are made of naturally occurring "breathing" fibers such as 100 percent silk, cotton, linen, wool or a mixture of those. Thread is always naturally based silk or cotton, and usually has less strands interwoven in them than found today. Brass hook and crocheted eyes are more common for earlier or couture pieces, while some mid-Edwardian pieces will use snaps. Many early gowns required the wearing of a corset to round the waist and smooth the bumps while reducing the waist.

Sewing machines weren't well in use until the mid 1860's, so you will find many Civil War gowns feature both hand sewing and machine sewing. You will find whale bones in some 1860's- often becoming "feather boned" by 1915. Most gowns were not boned inside beyond then. Laces and buttons became fancier, larger and heavily in use by the 1880's. By the 1890's, fabrics were usually expensive.

Note: If your item has a zipper, rayon or polyester/ nylon fabric, plastic buttons, nylon lace, netting or Velcro, usually this is a sign of a costume (be aware- some costumes have a very authentic look to them.)or it may be a piece of clothing made later than the 1930's. It could have been heavily reworked to be worn at a later time, such as for the stage, or as a "fancy dress" for a reenactment or a tea. Being dirty, torn and age stained does not guarantee an item is old. Some antique gowns are still found in mint, almost new condition!