Worsted Wool FabricIn the 18th century there were many types of worsted wool fabric mostly produced in Norwich, England and because of this they were often refered to as Norwich goods or Norwich stuff. Stuff is a generic term for many types of worsted wools. Worsted wools are a good wool summer cloth. One Norwich good called duory was specifically made for men's clothing and sometimes used for summer suits. Being lightweight worsteds are made of long opposed to short staple fibers, are strong wearing, but poor insulators. Much of the information on these pages is gathered from Swatches: A Guide to Choosing 21st Century Fabrics for 18th Century Clothing which has swatches you can feel and for a wider view of fabrics imported to the Americas try Textiles in America 1650-1870. |
Black Stuff, 100% Wool, 65" Wide, $25/yd.
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Light Brown Mixed Stuff, 100% Wool, 61" Wide, $25/yd.
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Brown Worsted, 100% Wool, 60" wide, $25/yd.
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Indigo Blue Striped Worsted, 100% Wool, 61" Wide, $25/yd.
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Greyish Blue Worsted, 100% Wool, 60" wide, $25/yd.
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Dark Indgo Blue Worsted, 100% Wool, 61" Wide, $20/yd.
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Almost black Indgo Blue Worsted, 100% Wool, 61" Wide, $25/yd.
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Red Worsted, 100% Wool, 62" wide, $25/yd.
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Wool FlannelFlannel was in common use by the second half of the 17th century and was made of a plain or (arguably) twill weave wool. Flannel continued to be made purely of wool into the 19th century when, like so many other fabrics, cotton flannel began to replace it. Wool flannel was used as an insulating layer usually worn close to the skin for garments like women's shifts (probably of white flannel), gowns and under petticoats and for men's shirts, drawers, under jackets, and waistcoats and for lining outer garments. Sometimes flannels were used to make outer garments like gowns and breeches. In London in 1761, Richard Rolt, published his book A New Dictionary of Trade and Commerce. In this book Rolt stated "some use it [wool flannel] for waistcoats, drawers, shirts, and shifts, and women most commonly for under petticoats." Flannel is related to baize and plains. Baize and plains are cheaper than flannel and usually not as soft. These flannels may therefore be used in place of baize or plains. Much of the information on these pages is gathered from Swatches: A Guide to Choosing 21st Century Fabrics for 18th Century Clothing which has swatches you can feel and for a wider view of fabrics imported to the Americas try Textiles in America 1650-1870. |
Scarlet Red Flannel, 100% Wool, 11.5 oz., 60" Wide, $26.99/yd.
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White Flannel, 100% Wool, 11.5 oz., 60" Wide, $26.50/yd.
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Navy Blue Flannel, 100% Wool, 11.5 oz., 60" Wide, $28.99/yd.
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Black Flannel, 100% Wool, 11.5 oz., 60" Wide, $25/yd.
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BayBay was used from the 17th century up to the early 19th century when it was being replaced by cotton fabrics. Bay was a coarse, open, plain weave wool made of worsted warp and woolen weft threads. Bay was mostly used as a lining for British and German soldiers' uniforms up to 1802 and habits of monks and nuns. Bay was also used by some specialized craftsmen to use behind looking glasses to preserve the tin and as a lining in cases for example. Much of the information on bay is gathered from Textiles in America 1650-1870. Thanks to the hard work of James Kochan and Sean Phillips our bay is museum quality reproduction bay woven in England today to specific standards and has the same appearance, weave, milling, and finish as bay made in the late 18th century. |
Natural White Bay, 100% Wool, 5 oz/sq yd, 52" Wide, $42.00/yd.
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Broadcloth | Worsted Fabric | Flannel | Bay | Jean Cloth/Virginia Cloth | Specialty Weaves