Linen in Colors100% linenAlthough linen was usually white or unbleached occasionally colors are found. Linen worn in the 18th century were usually shades of brown, blue, grey, and green. Linen was more difficult to dye than either wool or silk, both of which are available in a myriad of colors. Today we are able to get linen in many colors. If you are looking for a color we do not have listed here contact us with your needs. Below are some of the common 18th century colors we carry but many others revolve through our stock, please contact us for swatches, colors will vary with individual monitors. We have 50/3 linen thread in a variety of colors. If you ask we will do our best to match the thread to the color of the linen. Often times unbleached linen thread in 60/2 blends in well with most colors. Even on extant garments thread color did not match perfectly or unbleached was used. |
Light Yellowish Brown WLN 3017.5 oz., 59" wide, $7.99/yd. This shade of sandy tan may be obtained from a light bath in walnut or onion skins. For example in The Pennsylvania Journal of 1773, "RUN AWAY . . . three Negro men . . . The second . . . Had on and took with him a yellowish brown close bodied coat". |
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Yellowish Brown WLC 8027.5 oz., 59" wide, $7.99/yd. This earthy shade of sandy tan may be obtained from a light bath in walnut or onion skins. For example in The Pennsylvania Journal of 1773, "RUN away . . . a Servant Maid . . . had on, when she went away, a . . . yellow petticoat, yellowish short gown". Beige linen thread 50/3 or 80/3 is a good match for hand sewing. |
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Reddish Brown WLG 2036.5 oz., 60" wide, $13/yd. This is a bit of an unusual natural cinnamony brown with a hint of a pinky red color that would make a distinctive gown or waistcoat. For example in The Pennsylvania Mercury and Universal Advertiser of 1775, "Run away . . . an English woman . . . now a servant . . . had on, . . . [an] old patched reddish colour'd gown". |
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Tobacco WLG 1377.5 oz., 60" wide, $13/yd. Many organic dyers find that although linen can be dyed it quickly fades to a shade of grey. This fabric being a bit heavier is good for men's trousers, coats or jackets and women's petticoats, jackets, and gowns. |
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Pink WLG 2027.5 oz., 60" wide, $13/yd. |
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Green WLG 1676.5 oz., 60" wide, $13/yd. In The 1773 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica it states that "green be the most frequent and most common of natural colors, yet there is no simple ingredient now used alone to dye green upon any material, sap green being the nearest, which is used by country people." However in 1772 a "Dr. William" petitioned the English house of commons claiming to have invented permanent yellow and green dyes for cotton and linen. Green linen thread 50/3 is an almost perfect match for hand sewing. |
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Light Olive Green WLN 3105.5 oz., 56" wide, $7.99/yd. This linen is a good weight for women's jackets, gowns and petticoats, and men's jackets, waistcoats and coats. |
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Bluish Green WLG 2016.5 oz., 60" wide, $13/yd. In The 1773 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica it states that "green be the most frequent and most common of natural colors, yet there is no simple ingredient now used alone to dye green upon any material, sap green being the nearest, which is used by country people." However in 1772 a "Dr. William" petitioned the English house of commons claiming to have invented permanent yellow and green dyes for cotton and linen. Green linen thread 50/3 is a suitable match for hand sewing. |
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Medium Blue WLG 1696.5 oz., 59" wide, $13/yd. Although not very common, aprons are occasionally described as blue. In The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London, in 1780 "ELISABETH HUMPHREYS was indicted for stealing a blue linen apron, value 1 s." |
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Mustard WLG 1316.5 oz., 60" wide, $12/yd. Osage orange (for early 19th century reenactors), golden rod, chicory and several other plants will make an earthy yellow very similar to this linen. |
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Teal WLG 1346.5 oz., 60" wide, $12/yd. Some linens were described as "copperas coloured". Copperas was used as both a dye and a mordant and there is considerable confusion as to what color copperas was. Nonetheless, this is one of the many possible shades of copperas. In 1796 "RUNAWAY . . . an indented Apprentice . . . He wore away a Copperas coloured Linen Jacket and Trowsers" was advertised in Rhode Island. |
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Chocolate Brown WLG 1357.5 oz., 60" wide, $13/yd. Unbleached linen in the 18th century was usually referred to as brown although some may argue it is dyed. This 7 oz. linen has more body and is good for outer garments such as in The Virginia Gazette in 1773, "a Cooper, born in Ireland carried with him, a brown Linen Coat, Jacket and Trousers," |
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Cinnamon Brown WLG 1367.5 oz., 60" wide, $13/yd. Brown linen probably referred to the unbleached color of linen however some argue it is dyed. In The Virginia Gazette in 1774, "RUN away . . . two servant men, both born in England; one of them . . . had on, and took with him, a brown shirt, [and] brown linen trowsers". |
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Rich Cinnamon Brown WLN 3207.5 oz., 56" wide, $9.00/yd. Most cinnamon colored coats were likely made of wool but some argue they may be of linen. For example in The Virginia Gazette of 1752, "RUN away . . . a Servant man . . . by Trade a Caulker; had on a Cinnamon coloured Coat, a brown Linen Jacket and Trousers with Peices set on the Seams between the Thighs." |
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Blue WLN 3026.5 oz., 57" wide, $7.99/yd. In The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London it was recorded in 1789, "ROSE FLOOD was indicted for feloniously stealing . . . one blue linen apron, value 6 d.". |
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Dark Blue WLG 1667.5 oz., 60" wide, $13/yd. In the Old Bailey criminal trials, London in 1779 "MARY JAMES and MARY COLD were indicted for breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Robert Tallworthy . . . and stealing . . . a blue linen apron, value 6 d." |
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Dark Blue WLN 3065.5 oz., 58" wide, $7.99/yd. In London it was recorded in The Proceedings of the Old Bailey in 1791, "JONATHAN STUBBS was indicted for stealing . . . thirty-three yards and three quarters of blue linen, value 1 l. 18 s." |
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Dyed Natural WLN 3057.5 oz., 56" wide, $7.99/yd. In the 18th century unbleached linen was refered to as brown linen and was the cheapest available. This linen is not unbleached but is dyed to about the same shade. Because it is dyed it may not fade as quickly as real unbleached which may be useful for those people who want the unbleached look. This linen is a good weight for women's jackets, gowns, aprons, and petticoats and men's jackets, and waistcoats. In The Virginia Gazette of 1774, "Run away . . . two convict servant women . . . [one] took with her . . . brown linen aprons . . . The other . . . had on, and took with her . . . check and brown linen aprons". |
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