Period fabric guide
A quick guide on what fabrics to choose.
VIKING AGE
793-1065 AD
Linen- for undergarments like tunics and underdress
Diamond twill- for apron dresses, tunics, pants, dresses, leg wraps.
Wool tabby- for tunics, dresses and pants
Wool twill- Thin for tunics, dresses and pants. Thick for outer garments.
Vadmal/broadcloth- for jackets, hoods and capes.
Herrinbone wool- pants, leg wraps
Striped wool- not very comon but exist, see guddal tunic.
Check/tartan wool- Large plaid for capes and blankets. Small plaids for tunics, aprondress ect but not super comon.
Silks- mostly for decorating parts of garments, maybe also whole garments.
Linen
Tabby wool
Wool twill
Diamond twill
Silk brocades
Vadmal (broadcloth)
Vadmal (broadcloth)
Herringbone twill
MIDDLE AGES
1065-1500 AD
Linen- for shirts, underdresses, panties and underpants.
Wool tabby- for dresses, tunics, hoses.
Wool twill- Thin for tunics, dresses and pants. Thick for outer garmetns.
-Check/tartan wool (not very comon but exist in cotehardies for example).
Striped wool (not very comon but exist in tunics and cotehardies).
Vadmal/broadcloth- for outer garments.
Linen
Tabby wool
Wool twill
Silk brocade
Vadmal (broadcloth)
Vadmal (broadcloth)
RENAISSANCE
1500-1600 AD
Wool for the common people, silk for the noble.
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Linen- for shirts and underdresses.
Wool tabby- for kirtles, jackets and pants.
Wool twill- for kirtles, jackets and pants.
Vadmal/broadcloth- for outer garments.
Silk brocades- kirtles, jackets and pants.
Silk velvet- kirtles, jackets and pants.
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white linen
dark red tabby wool fabric
gray green broadcloth vadmal
Linen
Tabby wool
Wool twill
Vadmal (broadcloth)
white linen
white silk chiffon vit sidenchiffong
cream silk brocade
light green silk duchess fabric
aprikos broderad sidentaft
Linen
Tabby wool
Wool twill
Silk chiffon
Silk brocade
Plain silk
Striped silk
Embroidered silk
18th century
1700s
Wool, cotton and linen for the common people and silk, cotton and linen for the noble/rich.
The common people clothing starts to vary more between countrys than earlyer centuries.
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Linen- for shirts, underdresses and lining.
Plain cotton- for shirts, underdresses and lining.
Printed cotton- for dresses, skirts waistcoats and lady jackets.
Wool tabby- for skirts, jackes, waistcoats and pants.
Wool twill- for skirts, jackes, waistcoats and pants.
Vadmal/broadcloth- for outer garments.
Plain silks- for dresses, jackets, waistcoats, pants and capes.
Silk brocades- for dresses, jackets, waistcoats and pants.
Silk velvet- for dress details, jackets, waistcoats, pants and capes.
Silk chiffon- for scarfs
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19th century
1800s
Wool, cotton and linen for the common people and silk, cotton and linen for the noble/rich.
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Linen- for shirts, underdresses and lining.
Plain cotton- for shirts, underdresses and lining.
Printed cotton- for dresses.
Wool tabby- for jackets and pants.
Wool twill- for jackets and pants.
Vadmal/broadcloth- for outer garments.
Plain silks- for dresses, jackets, pants and capes.
Silk brocades- for dresses, jackets and pants.
Silk velvet- for dress details, jackets, pants and capes.
Silk chiffon- for scarfs
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white linen
Linen
Tabby wool
Wool twill
Broadcloth/Vadmal
Silk chiffon
Check/tartan
Silk satin/duchess