Building a "found items" costume

[Michael_Hopcroft]

I am looking to put together an original costume for fuutre conventions out of "found items". I would like advice from people who have done that sort of costume on the following questions:

1. where are the least expensive places to find used men's jackets such as business coats, blazers or tuxedos?

2. Is there a substitute for embroidery when making things like lapel symbols?

3. Assuming the answer to #2 is "No" or "There is, but it would look like utter crap", then what should I expect to pay should I take a jacket and/or shirt to someone to have it embroidered professionally?

[Vondan]

the best place to find cheap cloths to start a found items costumes is thrift stores like Goodwill,  SVDP and Salvation Army.   If the embroidery is not to complex you can also find a embrodery hoop at a junk store and practice.  Or something I discoverd was using the fancy markers from the creation station on white leather to make some badges

[Rushifa]

depending on the type of embroidary your talking about, you may be able to find the right thing online, as an iron-on.