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This guide is intended as a catch-all for people interested in costuming resources in the Baltimore-Washington Corridor and in Northern Virginia. It was originally compiled by Gale Langseth, and has been expanded. Contributors include:

Betsy Delaney (BD)
Deborah Feaster (DF)
Ellouise Griffin (EG) Gale Langseth (GSL)
Cindy Righter (CR)
Susan Schulman (SS)
Lisa Colaianne (LC)
Marian Tworek (MT)

Please note that Costume-Connections does not guarantee the quality of the goods or objects carried by the vendors or museums listed here, or that they are still in operation. We strongly suggest you call or check the web to be sure before planning a trip to any location listed here.

Contact Costume-Connections' Webmistress for any comments, recommendations, warnings, changes, updates or additions to this list.

Categories:

• Fabrics & Notions
• Beads & Buttons
• Shoes & Accessories New!
• Vintage & Secondhand Clothing
• Craft & Hobby Stores
• Antiques
• Museums & Research

Fabrics & Notions

Maryland

Arc-Com Fabrics, Inc.
121 S. Fremont Avenue
Baltimore
(410) 727-8810
Directions: Right on Light Street. Turn right on East Lombard Street. Turn left on South Fremont.

Arnold W. Hurt Discount Fabrics
CLOSED? (LC)

Bear's Paw
8812 Orchard Tree Lane
Towson
(410) 321-6730
Hours: M, W, F 9:30-6; T, Th 9:30-8; Sat 9:30-4
Directions: 695 to Towson. Exit 29 on Lock Raven Boulevard. Turn right onto Joppa Road. Turn right onto Orchard Tree Lane, immediately following traffic light at Gardiner's Furniture. Go through parking lot until it opens up. Bear's Paw is the fifth store on the left.

Blank's Fabric
(Closed)
(BRD)

Boutique Fabrics
8707 Liberty Plaza Mall
Randallstown
(410) 922-1292
Hours: M, T, Th, F, Sat 10:30-5, W closed
Directions: 695 to exit 18 West, Randallstown. The store is 2.3 miles on the right.

Calico Corners
305 York Road
Towson
(410) 821-9230
Hours: M, W 10-8; T, Th, F, Sat 10-6; Sun 12-5
Directions: 695 East to Dulaney Valley Road. Turn right on Dulaney Valley Road. Continue onto York Road.
Comments: Chain decorator fabric store. (GSL)

Dancer
8010 Old Branch Rd.
Clinton
(301) 856-2144
Comments: While they cater primarily to dance class needs, Dancer is also a fabric store (and costume rental). The staff is very knowledgable about theater needs, and they carry a good line of relatively inexpensive fabrics and trims. I found the staff and owners to be extremely helpful in selecting fabrics for my specific needs. There are a smallish-size shop, so you get good individual attention. You won't find Civil War reenactment wool there, but you will find wonderful showy and sheer fabrics for 1900 and later costumes or reproductions at prices below G St. (Dancer is the first place I would go if I was doing 20's flapper costumes). They also specialize in belly-dancing costumes (the owners have a dance group). (SS)

Fabric Chest
Southgate Market Place
337 Hospital Drive
Glen Burnie
(410) 768-5233
Hours: M-F 10-8, Sat 10-5:30, Sun 12-4
Directions: 295 South to the 695 Beltway East to 97 to 100 East. Exit on Oakwood Road. Take a right at the end of the ramp. Turn right at the first traffic light. Go through the next traffic light. Southgate Market Place is almost immediately on the left.

The Fabric Place
6324 Falls Road
Towson
(410) 828-6777 Hours: M, Th 10-9; T, W, F, Sat 10-5
Directions: I-83 North (Jones Falls Expressway) to West Northern Parkway. Turn left on Falls Road.

G Street Fabrics
11854 Rockville Pike
Rockville
(301) 231-8998
Directions: Route 95 South to 495 West (toward Rockville and Virginia). Exit at Route 355 North. G Street is about two miles north, on the left, in the Mid Pike Plaza.
Comments: Wide selection of evening, designer, wool, bridal, quilting, and other fabrics, as well as patterns, books, and notions. A $1.98 remnants table not to be missed. (GSL)

Grace's Arts & Notions
Pratt & Bouldin Streets
Baltimore
(410) 675-2204

Harry Guss
419 W. Baltimore Street
Baltimore
(410) 539-1993
Hours: M-F 9-4:30; Sat 9-2
Comments: Wools and tailoring fabrics. Cash or checks only. (GSL)

Kiyo Designs
11 Annapolis Street
Annapolis
(410) 280-1942
Hours: Tue-Sat 10-5:30; Sun 12 to 4

Melvin Fisher & Joe
306 East Oliver Street
Baltimore
(410) 727-5891
Directions: Turn left on North Calvert Street. Turn right on East Mount Royal Avenue. Turn left on Guilford Avenue. Turn right on East Oliver Street.

My-An Fabrics
University Boulevard Langley Park

PA Fabric Outlet
6563 Baltimore National Pike (Route 40 East)
Catonsville
(410) 747-4940
Directions: 695 West to Route 40 East. Behind Pizza Hut.
Comments: Lots of inexpensive lace, trim, buttons, and fabric remnants. (GSL)

Sarah's Fabrics, Inc.
1173 University Boulevard
Langley Park
(301) 445-5466
Hours: Mon-Sat 10-8, Sun 1-5
Directions: Take 495 Silver Springs to New Hemshire Tacoma Park Exit. Go approximately 6 miles to University Blvd and turn right. Make a left at the first light into the Shopping Center.
Comments: Large selection of quality affordable beautiful fabrics, trims, buttons, and notions. (EG)

Virginia

Couture Fabrics of Alexandria
320 King Street
Alexandria
(703) 548-7709

G Street Fabrics
5077 Westfields Blvd
Centreville
(703) 818-8090
Comments: Wide selection of evening, designer, wool, bridal, quilting, and other fabrics, as well as patterns, books, and notions. A $1.98 remnants table not to be missed. (GSL)

Washington, D.C.

Exquisite Fabrics
1775 K Street, NW
Washington, DC
(202) 775-1818

Beads & Buttons

Maryland

Accents Bead Shop
12083 Nebel Street
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-881-2003
Fax: 301-881-5680
E-mail: accentbead@aol.com
Hours: Thur - Fri - Sat: 12 - 4:00pm
Comments: Semi-precious stone beads, also have metal and glass beads, findings, Himalayan Sterling silver jewelry, stringing supplies and classes. (GSL/MT) - UPDATED July 16, 2002

Atlantic Gems, Inc.
8609 Second Ave., #103B
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 565-8094
(888) 422-GEMS
Fax (301) 587-2942
info@atlanticgems.com
http://www.atlanticgems.com/Main.htm
Hours: M-F 9-5, Sat. 9-1
Comments: Semi-precious, natural beads, precious stone beads, findings, ethnic beads, Venetian glass, pearls; wholesaler/importer. (GSL) - UPDATED July 16, 2002

Beadazzled
501 N. Charles St. (at Franklin St.)
Baltimore
(410) 837-2323
Comments: Beads, findings, books and jewelry. (GSL)

Beadecked
(Closed)
(BRD)

Beads and Things
8231 Main Street
Ellicott City
(410) 418-8229

Beadworks
825 Dulaney Valley Rd.
Baltimore
(410) 583-2570

Caldron Crafts
1520 Caton Center Drive, Suite E
Baltimore

(410) 242-7993

Fantasy Beads
11254 Triangle Lane
Wheaton, MD
(301) 933-8411
Hours: M-Sat 11-6, Th 11-8, Sun 12-5
Comments: Czech and Japanese seed beads, findings, fimo beads, Austrian crystal, antique beads, semi-precious stone beads. (GSL)

Morton Schenck's
412 W. Baltimore St.
Baltimore
This store is now closed! (11/30/1999 - EG)

R&D Jewelry Supply Company
1310 Apple Avenue
Silver Spring
(301) 588-7296
Hours: M-F 8-5, Sat 8-1
Comments: Leather cord, silk bead cord, supplies. (GSL)

S&A Beads
6929 Laurel Avenue
Takoma Park
(301) 891-BEAD
Comments: Supplies, beads of every variety. (GSL)

Theodora's Beautiful Beads
12216 Parklawn Drive, # 1 09
Rockville
(301) 231-7046
Hours: Tu, Th, F 10:30-4:30; W 10:30-7; Sat 10:30-2
Comments: Large selection of coordinated glass. (GSL); Theodoras beads in Rockville carries not only a HUGE selection of vintage and Modern glass beads but a growing selection of handmade lampwork beads. Her classes always feature true artists sharing their secrets. Plus she is just a lovely person--Worth a visit! (MT)

Virginia

Banana Tree
1223 King Street
Alexandria
(703) 836-4317
Hours: Daily 11-6
Comments: Ancient beads, Thai and Indonesian silver beads. (GSL)

Beadazzled
Tysons Comer Center
McLean
(703) 848-2323
Comments: Beads, findings, books, finished jewelry, classes. (GSL)

Shoes & Accessories

Maryland

FootMountain Cobblery Jim Yeiser
420 S. Washington Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 522-1970
www.civilwarshoes.com

Vintage & Secondhand Clothing

Maryland

Old Hat Vintage Clothing at Cannonhill Place Antiques
111 S. Carroll St.
Frederick
(301) 695-9304
Email: oldhat@erols.com
Hours: Daily 9-5
Directions: Route 70 into Frederick and head downtown: Carroll Street is off Patrick Street on the South side of town. Cannonhill is two blocks from Patrick which is the main street of town. Within an hour of Baltimore, Washington, Gettysburg, Westminster, etc.
Comments: "I carry vintage clothing and accessories for women, men and children from the 1950's thru the 80's. Some earlier pieces, but not in any volume. Costume jewelry, some housewares...Plus funky, fun, costumey used clothing. I also packrat things, so I have access to "cutter" clothing like wools and denim and some trims. Because I rent space at an co-op antique mall, I am not at the shop every day. I try to be available at least one day a week ( with 2 small children, it's getting harder!)" (Updated 11/30/1999 - CR)

Oh Susanna!
620 S. Broadway
Baltimore
(410) 327-1408
Hours: Daily 12-6, closed Tuesday
Comments: Women's and men's clothing, shoes, jewelry, hair dye, and accouterments, 1960's - present. (GSL)

The Pink Shack
602 S. Broadway
Baltimore
(410) 732-2919
Comments: Retro clothing, 1960's to present. (GSL)

ReRun
Route 1 College Park
Directions: Take Route 1 South to College Park. At the end of the main campus, there will be a block of stores on the right-hand side (West). ReRun is in the middle of the block. Park in the public lot at the next corner, and be sure to feed the meters generously - tickets happen frequently.
AND
Wheaton
Comments: The Wheaton shop is now closed! (Updated 11/30/1999 - BD)

Retro
731 S. Broadway
Baltimore
(410) 327-1966
Comments: Some vintage clothing in the back of the store, behind the jewelry, vintage medical implements, and taxidermy displays. Good selection of vintage men's ties. (GSL)

Venus on the Half Shell
151 North Market Street
Frederick
(301) 662-6213
Contact: Leslie Bresee
Comments: Vintage clothing shop on Market Street in Frederick. Fun vintage clothing store with racks of clothes from many eras. The staff is patient. The quirky handwritten comments on tags are not to be missed. Everything from 1950's era prom dresses to Men's vevet smoking jackets, lingerie, hats, jewelry. Market street is one of the main roads through Frederick. (MT)

The Zone
813 N. Charles Street
Baltimore
(410) 539-2817
Comments: Women's and men's retro clothing, 1940's to present. Jewelry and accouterments. (GSL)

Craft & Hobby Stores

Maryland

Ben Franklin Stores

Michaels: The Arts and Crafts Store
Glen Burnie
16 Mountain Road
Southdale Shopping Center
Glen Burnie, MD 21060
( 410) 766-0720

Forestheart Studio
200 South Main Street
Woodsboro MD 21798 (near Frederick)
301-845-4447
http://www.forestheart.com/
Comments: Forestheart Studios in Woodsboro MD has all kinds of wool, woven and fibers, plus spinning wheels, weaving classes, lampwork bead classes etc. Of primary interest to this group may be Mary, The owner's extensive knowledge of dyeing textiles and fibers. She is very funny and generous with all her suggestions. She has a secondary interest in mazes and labryinths and has one behind her shop. A fun shop with beads, rughooking supplies, art, etc. Woodsboro also has a Calligraphy/bookmakers shop called Pen and Ink about 3 blocks from her. Another fun specialty shop with pens, inks, handmade papers and tons of books about those areas. (MT)

Virginia

Michaels: The Arts and Crafts Store
6303 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, VA 22306
(703) 768-0386

Michaels: The Arts and Crafts Store
11630 Plaza America Drive
Reston, VA 22090
703-736-0530

Antiques

Antique Row
700 Block N. Howard Street
More than 75 antique dealers.