Warp and Weft—Historically-Correct Fabrics
For the discerning re-enactor 1350–1660
Following the publication of “Textiles and Materials of the Common Man and Woman 1580-1660” and “1480-1580” we are releasing a range of accurate historical fabrics for recreating the clothes of the common people. The fleeces are selected and the wool is spun and woven specifically to replicate the fabric descriptions in the book. We aim to use the correct fleece types, thread counts, colourings, fabric weights and finishes.
Coming soon! White and unfinished fabric suitable for dyeing. (available June 2008).
Gray Russet (up to 9 shades subject to current stocks) £13.00 per yard (30″ width)
1580-1660. Russet was a summer weight fabric used for a wide range of male and female garments including women’s petticoats, cloaks, gowns and waistcoats and men’s cloaks, soldiers and civilian coats and hose.
It was widely used in the 1480-1580 period and there are also medieval statute references to russet in 1363 for farm workers and artificers’ employees and in Magna Carta in 1215.
Gray Cotton (woolen, 2 shades), White Cotton (woolen) £13.00 per yard (30″ width)
Cotton was a loosely woven 100% woollen cloth with a “cottoned” finish. In 1580-1660 Cotton was used mainly for linings in adult clothes such as coats, jerkins and gowns and for children’s clothes such as petticoats. It was also used for military stockings. Cottons are mentioned in legislation from about 1550 and probably originated in the early 16th century. Prior to that a fabric known as “blanket” was used for linings, probably similar to cotton in nature but without the fluffed up cotton finish.
Gray Frieze (4 shades) £38 per yard (approx. 40″ width)
1580-1660 Very thick and warm Frieze was widely used for men’s coats, jerkins, gowns, breeches, cloaks and women’s gowns. Frieze was also very common in the 1480-1580 period but appears to be more upmarket in the 1350-1480 period.
White Say (worsted) £13 per yard (60″ width)
1580-1660 Say was a lightweight “new” fabric used for bed hangings, women’s holiday aprons and petticoat linings. 1480-1580 It was also used in Tudor times for jackets and doublets.
White Kersie £27 per yard (54″ width)
Sometimes poetically maligned as the poor mans broadcloth. 1580-1660 Used for male and female stockings and women’s waistcoats. The earliest references in statutes are from the early 1480’s and the fabric may originate in the second half of the 15th Century
