WHERE TO BUY STUFF:

Here are some recommended places to get raw material / gear construction goods, further down the page is a list based on good types:

<geraldschwartzinc.com> Great place for mil webbing, zippers, elastic, velcro, and plastic hardware. Most items need to be purchased in bulk, however can sell hardware in singles.

<lowyusa.com> Solid company with a large item selection. Items include webbing, zippers, plastic hardware, thread, elastics, velcro, para-gear, mesh and more.

<paragear.com> Well known store specializing in parachute related items, thus carry many mil-gear making items such as webbing, and hardware. Zippers and Velcro are also carried, however in non-mil colors. They sell both small and large quantities.

<owfinc.com> Great store carrying about everything you'd need to make outdoor gear. Don't always have mil-colors, but great selection and do both small and large orders.

<hudson4supplies.com> Specializing hardware, but has a solid webbing, hook/loop, cord selection, and more!

<jontay.com> Specializing in webbing, yet also carries other tactical raw materials such as cord, fabric, hook/loop, thread, zippers, and more

<wtfidea.com> Make their own Tac Gear however also offer a selection of raw materials / components for others to make gear as well.

<texnetinc.com> A lady owned small business providing many military building materials in bulk including: webbing, hardware, elastics / cords, hook and loop, zippers, fabrics, and more!

<fasteningsystems.com> Specializing in Fastening systems hence the name which includes military hardware, hook and loop, webbing, and more

<texcelindustries.com> Specializing in bulk military webbing including camouflage patterns

<johnhowardcompany.com> Offering many military materials including: hardware, webbing, elastics, cords, and thread in bulk quantities

<tnwebbing.com> A well established company specializing in bulk webbing, but also sells hook and loop (velcro). 

<downeastinc.com> Makers of the unique MOLLE plastic hardware and more. Be sure and check out their Packframe and Buckle sections. Bulk Order only from what I can tell.

<rockywoods.com> Offering a variety of gear making supplies for the outdoor / adventure and tactical markets

<ahh.biz> Not all items are particularly mil-spec or color, but a great selection of hardware, webbing, and useful materials / fabrics

<albest.com> Specializing with a large selection in both metal and plastic hardware and offering many military parts and colors

<multicampattern.com> Direct connection to multicam fabrics

<usnetting.com> Specializing in netting, including custom solutions

Hope to include here: Basic stitching knowledge, sewing machine recommendations / help, common mil item dimensions, where to buy things, and more.

GOODS BASED RECOMMENDED LIST:

CORDURA - FABRIC:
<www.geraldschwartzinc.com>
<www.owfinc.com>
<www.seattlefabrics.com>
<buschassociates.com>
<www.ahh.biz>
<www.brookwoodcos.com>
<www.competitiontextiles.com>
<www.texnetinc.com>
<wtfidea.com>
<rockywoods.com>

WEBBING:
<www.geraldschwartzinc.com>
<www.lowyusa.com>
<store.jontay.com>
<www.paragear.com>
<www.owfinc.com>
<www.texcelindustries.com>
<www.tnwebbing.com>
<www.fasteningsystems.com>
<www.johnhowardcompany.com>
<www.texnetinc.com>
<www.hudson4supplies.com>
<wtfidea.com>
<rockywoods.com>

HARDWARE:
<www.geraldschwartzinc.com>
<www.hudson4supplies.com>
<www.downeastinc.com>
<www.lowyusa.com>
<www.paragear.com>
<store.jontay.com>
<www.owfinc.com>
<www.fasteningsystems.com>
<www.seattlefabrics.com>
<www.ahh.biz>
<www.homalocks.com>
<www.johnhowardcompany.com>
<www.texnetinc.com>
<www.albest.com>
<wtfidea.com>
<rockywoods.com>

ZIPPERS:
<www.geraldschwartzinc.com>
<www.lowyusa.com>
<www.owfinc.com>
<www.paragear.com>
<www.seattlefabrics.com>
<zipperstop.com>
<www.texnetinc.com>
<store.jontay.com>
<wtfidea.com>
<rockywoods.com>

THREAD:
<www.geraldschwartzinc.com>
<www.thethreadexchange.com>
<store.jontay.com>
<qualitythread.com>
<johnhowardcompany.com>
<www.southernthread.com>
<wtfidea.com>
<rockywoods.com>

VELCRO - HOOK AND LOOP:
<www.geraldschwartzinc.com>
<www.lowyusa.com>
<www.hudson4supplies.com>
<www.seattlefabrics.com>
<www.fastech.us>
<www.fastenation.com>
<www.tridentfabrics.com>
<www.johnhowardcompany.com>
<www.texnetinc.com>
<store.jontay.com>
<wtfidea.com>
<halcousa.com>

GROMMETS - SNAPS:
<www.ahh.biz>
<www.owfinc.com>
<www.dotfastenersdirect.com>
<fastener-supply.com>
<fasnap.com>
<johnhowardcompany.com>
<www.paragear.com>

MESH:
<www.owfinc.com>
<www.lowyusa.com>
<www.seattlefabrics.com>
<rockywoods.com>

PADDING - FOAM:
<www.owfinc.com>
<www.seattlefabrics.com>
<www.reillyfoam.com>
<rockywoods.com>

KYDEX RELATED:
<www.knifekits.com>
<interstateplastics.reachlocal.net>

LINK SITES:
<www.thomasnet.com>
<www.mcmaster.com>