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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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Linen

Tabby wool

Wool twill

Vadmal (broadcloth)

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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Linen

Tabby wool

Wool twill

Broadcloth/Vadmal

Silk chiffon

Check/tartan

Silk satin/duchess

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