Black Broadcloth, WWD 800

100% Wool, 18 oz, 59″ Wide

Black broadcloth was nice to wear before modern laundry since it does not show the dirt. This black coating has a full nap on both sides, is thick and still fairly tightly woven. An example from London’s Proceedings of the Old Bailey in 1732 includes “the Prosecutor came in, dress’d in a black Coat, a white Waistcoat, and black Breeches”. Black linen thread 35/2 for hand sewing matches this fabric best. For sewing button holes try black silk button hole twist or silk quilter’s thread. The black worsted wool tape is very close in color to this fabric. Matching tape is sometimes what is seen for ties of women’s cloaks.