If you have skills with a needle, undoubtedly this is the most cost-effective solution for the more expensive items. You can make as much of the costume as you feel able and purchase the rest.

Be warned, men's tail coats in the Regency period were excellently tailored and poor tailoring will show. For example, the turnouts at the lapels and the fit round the shoulders. A feature of the period is that the shoulder seam slopes backwards and does not go straight across as in modern garments. The fitting of fall-front breeches is tricky too. For both of these you will need specialist tailoring skills or ongoing expert advice.

Ladies dresses are easier though you must beware of some "Regency style" dress patterns as they are simply inaccurate. Fullness in the back of the skirt, for example, was an important feature that is often omitted. You can often adapt an existing jacket to make a convincing spencer jacket

A list of some pattern suppliers is given below, followed by suppliers of fabrics etc.