The sign of the unicorn. A fabric shop for 18th century reenactors and historians.

Wool Broadcloth

Broadcloth in the 18th century was a 100% wool, plain weave fabric made from the best carded wool and used to make men's breeches, waistcoats, jackets, and coats. We always keep a selection of broadcloths in stock because of the demand for them. These are described with pictures below. In addition to our permanent stock, we keep a large rotating selection of fabrics. Most of these are 100% wool, 60" wide and start at $10/yd. Please ask us for colors and availability. We have 100% linen thread to match most colors in different weights.

Bag Hose | Linsey Woolsey | Broadcloth | Worsted | Flannel | Jean Cloth/Virginia Cloth | Specialty Weaves

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, Scarlet Red, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 751

new Now in stock!

Scarlet red was more expensive than madder since it was dyed using the Cochineal beetle. It was used for some military units, sergents coats and comonly used for women's cloaks. For example "Ran away . . .  a Negro Woman . . .  carried with her . . .  a red broadcloth Cloak" was reported in The New London Gazette of 1773. You may see an original red cloak at the Connecticut Historical Society. Scarlet red Linen thread 35/2 for hand sewing matches this fabric.

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, Brown, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 753

new Now in stock!

Brown was a very common color for wool throughout the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. For example in The Virginia Gazette of 1774, "RUN away . . .  born in Wales, and speaks on the Welch dialect . . .  he took with him . . .  a brown broadcloth jacket". Unbleached 35/2 linen thread, light brown 50/3 or 80/3 linen thread for hand sewing would all be close to this fabric.

Add Broadcloth Brown WWB 753 to Cart

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, Navy Blue, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 750

new Now in stock!

Navy Blue was a very common color for wool throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. For example in The Virginia Gazette of 1774, "Run away . . .  an Irish Servant Man . . .  wears . . .  a blue Broadcloth Coat". For hand sewing, navy blue 35/2 linen thread would work very well.

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, Olive Green, 61" wide, $16/yd.
WWC 104

new Now in stock!

Olive green was relatively easy to dye in the 18th century and was therefore not uncommon. For example "Run away . . .  a Dutch servant Girl . . .  had on, when she went away, a green woollen woman's jacket" was reported in The Pennsylvania Gazette of 1773. Ask us for matching Linen thread 50/3 for hand sewing.

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, light brown, 60" wide, $14/yd.
WWT 210
There is a very limited supply of this fabric.

All shades of brown broadcloth were commonly used from at least the 17th century to the 19th. This wool has a tight weave and a soft nap. For example "RUN away . . .  an Apprentice Lad . . .  Had on and took with him, when he went away, a light coloured Broadcloth Coat" was reported in The Providence Gazette of 1774. Ask us for matching Linen thread 50/3 for hand sewing.

Add Broadcloth Light Brown WWT 210 to Cart

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, chocolate brown, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 729

This is a very tightly woven cloth with a nice nap. Brown broadcloths are very commonly described in the 18th and early 19th centuries. In The Pennsylvania Gazette in 1775 "Run away . . .  in Anne Arundel county, Maryland . . .  two indented Irish servants, viz. John Hays, a shoemaker . . .  had on, and took with him, a . . .  brown broadcloth coat, the cape faced with reddish coloured velvet, with metal buttons". Black linen thread 50/3 will be the best match for hand sewing.

Add Broadcloth Chocolate Brown WWB 729 to Cart

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, mixed brown, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 738

Mixed wools were common in the 18th century and brown was a very common color for men's suits, coats, and jackets throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. This wool is also very tightly woven with a soft nap. For example in 1788, in The United States Chronicle, "RAN-AWAY . . .  an Apprentice Lad . . .  had on and carried with him . . .  one brown Broadcloth boughten Coat". Ask us for matching Linen thread 50/3 for hand sewing.

Add Broadcloth Mottled Brown WWB 738 to Cart

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, olive green, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 736
There is a very limited supply of this fabric.

Less common than other colors green was sometimes used for men's and women's clothing. "RAN away . . .  [an] indented Irish Servant . . .  Had on . . .  a green Broadcloth short Outside Jacket". Ask us for matching Linen thread 50/3 for hand sewing.

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, medium brown, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 737

Many shades of brown were very common for men's coats throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. For example in The Providence Gazette of 1784, "RAN away a Negro Fellow . . .  had on . . .  a Snuff coloured Broadcloth Coat". Ask us for matching Linen thread 50/3 for hand sewing.

Add Broadcloth Medium Brown WWB 737 to Cart

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, burgundy, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 734
There is a very limited supply of this wool.

This is another shade of red that may be gotten from the madder root and was therefore affordable for common people to buy. This wool is tightly woven with a soft nap. In The Virginia Gazette of 1771, "RUN away . . .  an Irish Servant Man . . .  had on, when he went away, a dark Claret Coat and Waistcoat of good Cloth (the Backs of his Waistcoat were of some Kind of thin Stuff) reddish brown Breeches". Ask us for matching Linen thread 50/3 for hand sewing.

Add Broadcloth Burgundy WWB 734 to Cart

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, red, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 733

Red was a common color for women's cloaks and men's clothing especially waistcoats and underjackets. "RUN away . . .  in Connecticut . . .  two Negro Men . . .  one . . .  carried with him . . .  one red Broadcloth Jacket" was written in The Providence Gazette of 1770. Ask us for matching Linen thread 50/3 for hand sewing.

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, dark purple, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 732

Not nearly as common as other colors wool was sometimes dyed purple. In 1793 in The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London "EDD ADAMS was indicted for feloniously stealing . . .  six pieces of woollen cloth". During the court trial one of these was described as, "Edd Adams and I took the canvas off from one of the pieces of cloth and found it to be a very dark purple". Ask us for matching Linen thread 50/3 for hand sewing.

Add Broadcloth Dark Purple WWB 732 to Cart

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, medium purple, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 731

In The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London of 1783, during one court trial it was recorded, "What dress was he in when you saw him at the Rotation Office? - He was dressed in a purple long coat, of a fine cloth". Ask us for matching Linen thread 50/3 for hand sewing.

Add Broadcloth Medium Purple WWB 731 to Cart

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, light purple, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 730

Less common than other colors purple was sometimes seen for example in the 1773 Virginia Gazette, "Run away . . .  a Country born Negro Woman . . .  She carried with her . . .  a purple Cloth Cloak". Ask us for matching Linen thread 50/3 for hand sewing.

Add Broadcloth Light Purple WWB 730 to Cart

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, hunter green, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 728

In The Pennsylvania Gazette of 1773 "Run away . . .  a Dutch servant Girl, . . .  had on, when she went away, a green woollen woman's jacket". Linen thread 50/3 will work for hand sewing. Ask us for the best color match.

Add Broadcloth Hunter Green WWB 728 to Cart

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, black, 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 703

As advertised in The Virginia Gazette in 1770 "RUN away . . .  a yellowish Negro man . . .  had on when he went away . . .  a black broadcloth jacket . . .  He is a very good cooper and shoemaker." Black linen thread 50/3 for hand sewing and 1/2", 5/8", and 7/8" worsted wool tape matches this fabric. Matching tape is usually what is seen for ties of women's cloaks.

Add Broadcloth Black WWB 703 to Cart

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Wool Broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, light gray, 60" wide, $14.50/yd.
WWB 723

Gray of many shades was a common color for wool. This wool would make a nice insulation layer for a warm winter garment such as a waistcoat, jacket, coat, great coat or women's cloak. "Ran away . . .  an Irish servant . . .  his apparel is a light coloured country cloth coat" was advertised in The Maryland Gazette of 1775. Hand sewing a garment from this wool would work well using gray or unbleached 35/2 linen thread.

Add Broadcloth Light Gray WWB 723 to Cart

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Wool Broadcloth fabric for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, brown, 60" wide, $19/yd.
WWB 724
There is a very limited supply of this fabric.

"Run away from . . .  Maryland . . .  two indented Irish servants" The Pennsylvania Gazette add of 1775 stated. It went on to describe "a shoemaker . . .  had on, and took with him, a . . .  brown broadcloth coat, the cape faced with reddish coloured velvet, with metal buttons". Linen thread of 50/3 will work well. Ask us for the best match.

Add Broadcloth Brown WWB 724 to Cart

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Wool Broadcloth fabric for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, wool blend, dark blue 60" wide, $17/yd.
WWB 726

"Run away . . .  convict servant . . .  by trade a shipcarpenter . . .  had on, and took with him, a blue broadcloth coat and breeches" was advertised in The Virginia Gazette of 1773. Navy blue linen thread 35/2 for hand sewing and 1/2" and 7/8" blue worsted wool tape matches this fabric. Matching tape is usually what is seen for ties of women's cloaks.

Add Broadcloth Dark Blue WWB 726 to Cart

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Wool Broadcloth fabric for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 100% wool, dark navy blue 60" wide, $20/yd.
WWB 700

"Run away . . .  an Irish Servant Man . . .  wears . . .  a blue Broadcloth Coat" was advertised in The Virginia Gazette of 1771. Navy blue linen thread 35/2 for hand sewing and 1/2" and 7/8" blue worsted wool tape matches this fabric. Matching tape is usually what is seen for ties of women's cloaks.

Add Broadcloth Dark Blue WWB 700 to Cart

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Wool broadcloth for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 85% wool/15% nylon, dark navy blue, 21 oz., 60" wide, $22.00/yd.
WWW 101

Navy blue was used for many U.S. military uniforms from the Revolution to the Civil War. This was also one of the most common colors of civilian clothes during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. "Run away from the . . .  Province of Pennsylvania, a Dutch servant man . . .  Had on . . .  a blue Dutch made coat and jacket, with a great quantity of buttons on both" was advertised in New York Journal of 1770. Navy blue linen thread 35/2 for hand sewing and 1/2" and 7/8" blue worsted wool tape is a pretty good match to this fabric. Matching tape is usually what is seen for ties of women's cloaks.

Add Broadcloth Dark Navy Blue WWW 101 to Cart

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Scarlet wool broadcloth swatch for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 85% wool/15% nylon, scarlet red, 21 oz., 60" wide, $22.00/yd.
WWW 102

Scarlet red was a more expensive dye obtained from an insect called Cochineal. Because of this scarlet was usually used in more expensive garments and officer's uniforms. Nonetheless it was used by the poor as well. For example in 1775 in The Virginia Gazette, "RUN away . . .  a servant man, by trade a joiner . . .  had on a . . .  scarlet waistcoat, and crimson breeches". Scarlet red linen thread 50/3 for hand sewing and 1/2" and 7/8" red worsted wool tape matches this fabric. Matching tape is usually what is seen on women's cloaks which were commonly red in England and Virginia and probably other areas.

Add Broadcloth Scarlet Red WWW 102 to Cart

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Madder red wool swatch for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century reenactors, nautical historians and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 85% wool/15% nylon, madder red, 21 oz., 60" wide, $22.00/yd.
WWW 103

Madder red comes from a dye extracted from the root of a plant and was therefore much less expensive than red obtained form Cochineal. Because of this, madder was the red of choice for British enlisted soldiers and of the poor. Although red broadcloth could be used for any garment it seems to be common to find red waistcoats. For example in 1770 in The Virginia Gazette, "RUN away . . .  an English servant man . . .  a plaisterer by trade, and a very artful sensible fellow. He had on a . . .  red cloth waistcoat". Madder red 50/3 linen thread is an almost perfect match.

Add Broadcloth Madder Red WWW 103 to Cart

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Woolen broadcloth fabric swatch for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century re-enactors, military historians, and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 85% wool/15% nylon, natural white, 21 oz., 60" wide, $22.00/yd.
WWW 104

White wool was used for the small clothes of many military regiments and is a common color for civilian clothes. This is a good choice for clothing the lower sort since no expense was spent on dye. For example in 1776 an apprentice from New Jersey ran away with "a white cloth coat". Off white linen thread 60/2, 50/3, and 35/2 for hand sewing and 1/2" and 7/8" white worsted wool tape matches this fabric. Matching tape is usually what is seen for ties of cloaks.

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Wool broadcloth fabric swatch for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century re-enactors, military historians, and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 85% wool/15% nylon, green, 21 oz., 60" wide, $22.00/yd.
WWW 107

This green is used by the loyalist regiments including 1st Americans and Butler's Rangers. Green was also sometimes worn by civilians. For example in New Jersey in 1780 a man broke out of jail wearing "a green coat". Hand sewing in 50/3 dark green linen thread is a good weight.

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Wool broadcloth fabric swatch for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century re-enactors, military historians, and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 85% wool/15% nylon, medium blue, 21 oz., 60" wide, $22.00/yd.
WWW 108

In 1776 a servant ran away from Salem County, New Jersey. He had "a blue cloth jacket, without sleeves or lining". Hand sewing in 50/3 blue to match linen thread will work well.

Add Broadcloth Medium Blue WWW 108 to Cart

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Wool broadcloth fabric swatch for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century re-enactors, military historians, and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 85% wool/15% nylon, light blue, 60" wide, $22.00/yd.
WWW 109

In The Providence Gazette of 1776, "DESERTED from the Company under my Command, in Col. Sage's Regiment, a Negro man . . .  Had on when he went away . . .  pale blue Broadcloth Breeches". Linen thread in 50/3 medium blue would work well when sewing this fabric.

Add Broadcloth Light Blue WWW 109 to Cart

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Wool broadcloth fabric swatch for 14th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century re-enactors, military historians, and museum interpreters.

Broadcloth, 80% wool/20% nylon, sky blue, 60" wide, $10.00/yd.
WWC 114

new Now in stock!

In The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London court trials of 1773, "Court. What clothes had he on when he came to buy the things of you? Prosecutor. A lightish sky blue". Linen thread in 50/3 medium blue is the best match when sewing this fabric.

Add Broadcloth Sky Blue WWC 114 to Cart

Bag Hose | Linsey Woolsey | Broadcloth | Worsted | Flannel | Jean Cloth/Virginia Cloth | Specialty Weaves

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