By the My Textile Fabric Team — Los Angeles fabric wholesalers.
Part of our Stretch Fabrics & Performance Textiles: The Complete Guide — start there for the full picture.
Looking for where to buy costume fabric online? At My Textile Fabric, we carry a large assortment of costume and cosplay fabrics for all your sewing needs — sequins, velvets, satins, tulles, jacquards, brocades, spandex, mesh, lamé, and more, all stocked in our Los Angeles warehouse and ready to ship. What makes us the right choice: competitive wholesale pricing, fast shipping, and the deep color selections that make or break a costume.
Shop Costume Fabric by Category
Every costume starts with the right textile. When you're comparing options, keep the character's silhouette, movement, and lighting in mind — a fabric that looks perfect on the bolt can read very differently under stage lights or in convention-hall fluorescents. Here is how to pick:
Stretch velvets and panne velvet
The backbone of costume sewing. Stretch velvet (a polyester-spandex spandex velour) gives you four-way-style give for bodices, capes, and fitted fantasy wear, while panne velvet offers crushed texture with mechanical stretch — no spandex needed. Browse the full velvet collection.
Satins
From royal capes to princess gowns, satin does the heavy lifting. Our satin collection spans flowy charmeuse, glossy bridal satin, and two-tone taffeta for structured pieces. Also see taffetas for crisp, rustling costume volume.
Sequins, lamé, and sparkle
For stage costumes that must read from the back row: the sequin collection, tissue lamé, metallic lamés, and iridescent crush shimmer for mermaid, disco, and celestial looks.
Spandex and performance knits
Superhero suits, dance costumes, and creature suits live in the stretch & spandex collection. For sculpted armor-style builds, techno scuba and super techno neoprene hold dramatic shapes — read Stretch Fabrics for Costumes & Cosplay: What to Look For.
Brocade, jacquard, and faux textures
Regal and historical costumes need woven richness: jacquards and brocades, plus faux furs and imitation textures and faux suede for creature and fantasy builds. Sheer overlays from the sheer collection and trims from lace finish the look.
Cosplay Fabric Picks
Cosplayers need accuracy and wearability for long convention days. Our go-tos: stretch velvet for fantasy armor-soft builds, panne velvet for villain capes, techno scuba for structured futuristic pieces, and lamé for anything that must shine. See why these dominate in Why Stretch Velvet and Spandex Are Taking Over Cosplay & Costume Design.
Costume Fabric Shopping Checklist
Before you check out, run through this list:
- Character accuracy: does the fabric's texture, sheen, and color match the reference? Order swatches for anything critical.
- Stretch needs: fitted bodices and bodysuits need give — default to stretch fabrics or mechanical-stretch panne velvet.
- Structure needs: armor, hats, and collars need body — consider super techno neoprene or interfaced brocade.
- Comfort: you'll wear this for hours — breathable linings from our lining collection prevent misery.
- Camera vs. stage: stage costumes need bolder texture and contrast; camera costumes need accurate color and clean finishing.
- Budget: price the whole costume, not just the shell — lining, interfacing, closures, and notions add up.
Theater Groups and Dance Companies: Buying in Bulk
Outfitting a cast or a troupe changes the math. Standardize on a few versatile textiles — stretch velvet in core colors, satin for linings and accents, techno scuba for structured pieces — and buy by the bolt to bring the per-yard cost down. Keep a shared swatch library so every maker cuts from the same dye lot. And if your venue requires it, our IFR fabrics keep stage drapes and backdrops compliant with fire codes.
How Much Fabric Do You Need?
Budget one extra yard beyond the pattern's call — costumes involve mockups, mistakes, and matching. Full gowns and capes typically need 5–8 yards; bodices and separates 2–3; accessories under a yard. Buying by the bolt vs. by the yard matters for group cosplays and theater troupes outfitting a whole cast — bolts cut the per-yard cost significantly.
Tips for Sewing Costume Fabrics
- Order swatches first — color accuracy on screen is never guaranteed; feel the weight and check the shade before cutting yards.
- Match the needle to the fabric — ballpoint/stretch for knits and velvets, microtex for satins and lamé.
- Interface strategically — collars, cuffs, and armor panels need body; soft drape pieces don't.
- Finish sequin seams — remove sequins from seam allowances to save your machine and your fingers.
- Pre-wash apparel fabrics — costumes get sweaty; pre-shrinking avoids heartbreak later.
Don't Forget Trims and Notions
The fabric is only half the costume. Plan your closures (invisible zippers for bodices, hook-and-bar for armor), edgings (lace and faux fur trim for fantasy hems), and structural supplies (boning, interfacing, foam) in the same order so dye lots and shipping align. A costume stalled waiting for one zipper is a costume that misses the convention.
Ready to start? Browse velvet, satin, sequins, spandex, and brocade — or search the site for your character's signature textile. Questions? Email info@mytextilefabric.com and we'll point you to the right fabric.
Keep Reading
- Top Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Wholesale Fabric Online — our ranked picks.
- How to Identify High-Quality Fabric Online Without Touching It — step-by-step guidance.
- How to Choose the Right Width and Yardage When Buying Fabric Online — step-by-step guidance.